Sabah Tourism Board launches GIF collection on Giphy to promote tourism

3 Sept 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled its inaugural collection of Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) on the dynamic creative platform Giphy to promote tourism products and attractions in Sabah.

The new initiative was launched at the MATTA Fair by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) Secretary-General Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman and Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also STB Chairman.

STB is the first tourism board in Malaysia to use Giphy, a platform that allows users to create and share animated images, to market Sabah's tourism offerings.

"Given Giphy’s widespread integration with popular social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Facebook – channels frequented by travellers and other users – the move aligns well with STB’s aim to resonate with its audience," Joniston said.

He added that the trend adoption enables a stronger connection with their followers.

STB collaborated with four talented Sabahan artists – Iffah Hazirah and Adora Chloe from Kota Kinabalu, Rachel Rayner from Beaufort, and Nelson Lip from Tawau – to create 10 distinctive designs each, representing different aspects of Sabah – from adventure and culture to islands, beaches and nature – all rendered in their unique artistic styles.

Users can search for @sabahtourism or other keywords related to Sabah, Malaysia Borneo on Giphy to access the customised GIFs or stickers that they can use on their social media postings.

"To successfully market Sabah, we must adopt a cooperative and integrative strategy. Sabah is home to many creative talents, and we want to give them the tools they need to spread the word about what a great place Sabah is," Joniston said.

STB also ran an online contest on social media prior to the MATTA Fair, offering winners the opportunity to claim special artisanal products from Sabah’s small business owners at the travel fair.

In conjunction with the MATTA Fair from Sept 1-3, 2023, attendees can also win a prize from STB when they upload a photo of them at the Sabah Pavillion and apply the STB Giphy stickers.

STB encourages everyone to add a touch of fun to their travel tales by incorporating the @sabahtourism stickers in their posts.