A Malaysia Sabah trip for just over 11,000 NT dollars — Xie Jiajian takes the stage at the travel fair to introduce her hometown

▲ Mantanani Island, located north of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is a maritime fairyland akin to the legendary Mermaid Island. (Photo provided by Qidou Travel Network)

Reporter Chen Hanyin / Taipei reporting and photography

The 2017 Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) has officially kicked off in grand style. This year, Tourism Malaysia has joined forces with AirAsia, the Malacca Tourism Board, the Sabah Tourism Board, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and Taiwanese travel agencies to launch ultra “Sarawak-special” travel deals for departures from the end of this year through spring next year. These include packages such as a 4+1 day Sabah tour with taxes included for just NT$10,900. The booth also features various performance activities to help more people discover the beauty of Malaysia.

To promote Sarawak’s most iconic dish—laksa—the Sarawak Tourism Board specially organized the “I Love Laksa Sarawak” photo contest at this year’s Taipei International Travel Fair. Prizes include double occupancy 4-night hotel stay vouchers in Sarawak and double entry 3-day passes to the Rainforest World Music Festival. Visitors simply need to take photos at the fair’s booth over the four-day event and upload them for a chance to win.

▲ The stage of the Wandie Performing Arts Dance Troupe of Malaysia at Booth D816.

This year’s booth also invited performances by the Kuala Lumpur-based Wandie Art Performance dance troupe. The Sarawak Tourism Board invited local celebrities Ai Cheng and Xie Jiajian, both from Kuching, Sarawak, to appear at the booth. Ai Cheng will share insights on Sarawak cuisine with visitors from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 28. Xie Jiajian will also meet fans and introduce hometown delicacies from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM on Sunday, October 29.