SICC as MICE venue extolled at Berlin fair
Published on: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Liew (second right) presenting a Sabah orangutan promotional tote bag to Steinmetz, while Joniston (right) and Julinus (left) look on.
BERLIN: The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) was highly recommended as a perfect venue for hosting medical conventions and other international MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention & Exhibition) events at the just-concluded ITB Berlin 2024, the world’s leading travel trade show in Germany since 1966.
Located within Kota Kinabalu City, the contemporary structure is rated as the largest convention, exhibition and entertainment facility in East Malaysia.
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In an interview conducted by the CEO, publisher & Managing Editor of eTurboNews (Global Travel Industry News), Juergen T. Steinmetz, State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew said the SICC is equipped with modern facilities with a seating capacity of more than 5,000.
These include convention halls, exhibition halls, and private meeting rooms, an outdoor plaza (Jesselton Square) and more than 1,000 parking spaces. Liew recalled having officiated at the 34th Annual Scientific Congress of Malaysia Oncological Society (34th ASCOMOS) held at SICC last year.
“It was attended by more than 1,000 delegates comprising oncologists and health care professionals involved in cancer care, not only from Malaysia but also from the Asia-Pacific region (Singapore, Thailand and Australia),” she said.
Liew, who was accompanied by Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, requested Steinmetz, who is also the Founder and Chairman of the World Tourism Network (WTN) to help promote medical tourism in Sabah.
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WTN is the Voice for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMEs) for the Global Travel and Tourism Industry. Founded as a “think tank” for rebuilding travel in March 2020 in Berlin, it provides opportunities and networking for more than 23,000 members in more than 130 countries.
“Sabah has what it takes to be a destination for medical tourism,” Liew said.
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“It provides a serene environment conducive to healing, recuperation and relaxation.
“Overall, Sabah provides a holistic approach to medical tourism, combining medical expertise with natural beauty and cultural experiences to enhance the healing process.”
The Minister said Sabah boasts modern medical facilities and skilled healthcare professionals provided by Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu, Jesselton Medical Centre, and KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital, among others, ensuring high-quality medical care for tourists seeking treatments or procedures. For IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) treatment for couples seeking to conceive, the Sabah Care Fertility Centre offers services with a high success rate and at a competitive rate, she added.
In response to Liew’s call for him to make a trip to Sabah, Steinmetz said Sabah is a well-known destination in the area but it is unknown in many parts of the world.
“I haven’t been to Sabah but I have heard a lot about Sabah. It is an attractive destination. There could be a good way of cooperating. Sabah could join our Network. We (WTN) can help to make Sabah known better through publicity, communication and networking with our members. We do a lot of tourism work.”
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of STB Julinus Jeffery Jimit invited Steinmetz to attend the International Wholistic Wellness Conference & Expo (IWWCE 2024) scheduled to be held at the SICC from June 7 to 9.
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