KOTA KINABALU, Nov 4 – Eight accommodation premises in Sabah have received star-grading certifications from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), recognising their commitment to hospitality excellence, service quality and internationally recognised industry standards.
The recipients comprise two five-star hotel resorts, one four-star city hotel and five three-star city hotels.
The five-star recognition was awarded to The Magellan Sutera Resort and The Pacific Sutera Hotel, while The Majulan Hotel received a four-star rating.
Meanwhile, Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu, Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu, Lintas Platinum Hotel, Monocolo Boutique Hotel and The Aru Hotel were awarded three-star ratings.
Beyond accommodation grading, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru received recognition under the Green Hotel category for its sustainable hospitality practices, while Attiya SPA Kota Kinabalu was awarded a five-star rating under MOTAC’s spa grading programme.
Sabah’s cultural and heritage tourism sector also secured several accolades. Balai Seni Lukis Sabah received new certification under the Man-Made Tourism category of the Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance (MyTQA) programme, while Koisaan Cultural Village in Penampang obtained renewed certification under the Culture and Heritage Tourism category.
Homestay Id Kalangadan in Kota Kinabalu was also recognised under the ASEAN Homestay Standard.
The certifications were presented during a ceremony covering tourist accommodation premises grading, MOTAC spa grading, ASEAN Tourism Standards and MyTQA certification held in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday.
In a speech, Assistant Director of the MOTAC Sabah State Office, Mohd Noh Hafifie Mapatoba, said the recognitions reflected the tourism industry’s ongoing efforts to improve service delivery, maintain quality, and meet international standards.
He highlighted tourism’s contribution to Malaysia’s economy, noting that the country welcomed 42 million visitors last year, contributing 15.9% to gross domestic product (GDP).
As of September 2026, Malaysia had recorded approximately 32 million visitor arrivals, with the extension of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign into 2027 expected to sustain tourism momentum and support preparations for Visit Sabah 2027.
Mohd Noh also emphasised Sabah’s importance to Malaysia’s tourism landscape, citing its diverse attractions, including Mount Kinabalu, the marine biodiversity of Semporna, the rainforest ecosystem of Danum Valley and its rich cultural heritage.
However, he stressed that the state’s natural attractions must be supported by quality accommodation, well-maintained facilities and internationally recognised safety standards to deliver a positive visitor experience.
According to MOTAC records as of Nov 2, Sabah had 10 five-star hotels and resorts, 17 four-star establishments, 13 three-star hotels and one two-star hotel. The state also recorded 14 accommodation premises rated three orchids and nine rated two orchids.
Mohd Noh said MOTAC’s grading and certification programmes offered industry players benefits beyond recognition, including potential investment incentives, operational support and greater international marketing exposure.
Eligible operators can access fiscal incentives such as Pioneer Status and Investment Tax Allowance through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), which could support facility upgrades and modernisation.
He added that certification could also assist accommodation operators in meeting relevant requirements and supporting applications involving workforce and expatriate employment.
Premises recognised under programmes such as MyTQA and the ASEAN Tourism Standard could also receive priority consideration for Tourism Malaysia’s international promotional activities, providing opportunities to reach a wider overseas market.
He said continued efforts to strengthen service standards and industry competitiveness would help build a more resilient tourism ecosystem in Sabah, ensuring its natural and cultural attractions were complemented by quality hospitality offerings.
Mohd Noh urged the recognised establishments to treat their certifications as motivation to continuously improve their facilities, services and operational standards, adding that maintaining service excellence was essential to strengthening Sabah’s position as a competitive tourism destination -Borneo Post online
