A local accommodation booking platform, Zuba has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) after successfully created 108 sun bear mascot installations in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The initiative, held under the Zuba x Visit Malaysia 2026 ‘Snap & Win’ Campaign which runs from Feb 1 until April 30, this year, saw the installations placed across various locations in the City, showcasing creative designs inspired by participating businesses.
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The campaign has drawn strong participation from locals and tourists, with social media engagement helping to amplify its reach and impact on Sabah’s tourism sector, also offering participants a chance to win from a prize pool worth up to RM30,000, featuring cash vouchers and other exciting prizes.
The MBR’s certification was presented to Zuba’s marketing team at Grace Point food court in Sembulan here on Friday, marking national-level recognition for the campaign’s creativity, urban engagement and tourism promotion.
Distinguished guests at the ceremony included - Mr. Charles Tsao, Group Chairman of Hyweb & CSX Holdings, Mr. Nick Tsao, Marketing Director of Hyweb Malaysia Technology, Mr. Anson Ng, Managing Director of CSX Holdings & Ayuhouz, Mr. Calvern Ng and Mdm. Charis Lee Executive Directors of CSX Holdings, Dr. Serrene Tan Managing Director of TCT Group, Mr. Charlie Tang Managing Director of Aton Group, Mr. Jin Tang Executive Director of Aton Group, Siti Hajar Binti Johor and Siti Nurhanim binti Mohd Noh, officials from the Malaysia Book of Records, Mr. Khairul Amir bin Anuar Deputy Director of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, as well as various business partners who witnessed the milestone.
Zuba’s Marketing Director Nick Tsao said the campaign was aimed to encourage the public to explore the city through interactive experiences while connecting local businesses.
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He said the auspicious event is not just about receiving a prestigious MBR certificate but it is also about celebrating a collective achievement.
“More importantly, we wanted to build something that connects people, businesses, and tourism together. And today, we are proud to say that together, we have successfully created 108 unique Sunbear mascots across Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
“The 108 sun bear installations are not just visual attractions but also reflect the creativity and brand identity of participating businesses, highlighting the city’s diversity and vibrancy,” he said.
Speaking in his speech at the event here on April 4, Nick said the initiative had boosted foot traffic and visibility while raising awareness on the conservation of the sun bear, a species native to Borneo.
He said Zuba also plans to expand similar initiatives in the future to further strengthen collaboration with businesses and enhance Sabah’s appeal as a regional tourism destination.
“At ZUBA, we believe that tourism is not just about destinations — it is about experiences, people, and impact.
Through this campaign, we have not only created engagement, but also contributed towards raising awareness for sun bear conservation in Sabah.
“This recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records is a proud moment for us, but more importantly, it is a reminder that when businesses come together, when creativity meets purpose, we can create something truly meaningful.
“Moving forward, this is just the beginning,” Nick said.
He said Zuba also hoped to continue growing the initiative, bringing more merchants on board and creating even more engaging experiences for both locals and tourists.
Meanwhile, Nick said Zuba would co-organise a “Unity Run @ Grace Point” after the campaign ends, where all 108 sun bear installations will be displayed together.
He said the company welcomed collaboration with organisations and groups to position the sun bear as a distinctive symbol in promoting Sabah’s tourism and urban vibrancy.
