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The company’s collaboration with Sabah Society for the Deaf was lauded for championing inclusivity and community empowerment.
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) emerged as the recipient of the Accessibility Initiative of the Year accolade at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Malaysia for delivering a strong message of diversity through its annual light-art festival, Lampoopalooza.
Lampoopalooza returned in 2025 by bringing together creativity, innovation, and social impact at the gathering held at the historic STB Building on Gaya Street. It was first launched in 2018 to celebrate the Sabah Tourism Board Building’s 100th anniversary and has grown into a signature annual festival that attracts thousands of visitors. Its early success also sparked a tradition that today blends art, technology, and community engagement.
Lampoopalooza took a significant step forward this year by placing inclusivity at its core, partnering with the Sabah Society for the Deaf in Kota Kinabalu to make the festival more welcoming for all. This has made Lampoopalooza one of Sabah’s first tourism events that actively involve and empower the deaf community.
A standout highlight at the event was the participation of students from Politeknik Kota Kinabalu’s Program Sijil Khas Operasi Katering, a programme for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The students managed food and beverage stalls throughout the event. From the experience, they gained hands-on work experience and built valuable skills for future careers in the catering industry. Moreover, their involvement added depth and purpose to the festival’s inclusive mission.
Furthermore, beyond its artistic displays, Lampoopalooza has played a key role in revitalising Gaya Street over the years. It has helped transform the area into a lively stretch of cafés, restaurants, and hotels. What began as a celebration of history has become a platform for creative expression and social progress.
The 2025 edition’s mix of lights, music, and performances dazzled visitors and entertained them by featuring local talents such as Isobahtos, DJ Yohan, Maasmona, Dabra Sia, and Tuni Sundatang.
With initiatives such as the Lampoopalooza, the Sabah Tourism Board strengthens community connections and champions inclusivity.
The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Malaysia gives a platform to Malaysia’s vibrant travel sector and applauds those who stand out across the industry. This awards programme highlights excellence in hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, travel agencies, booking platforms, and travel technology.
The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Malaysia 2025 is presented by Travel Daily Media Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more information on the awards programme, you may contact Danica Avila at +(65) 3158 1386 or awards@traveldailymedia.com.
The post Sabah Tourism Board wins at TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Malaysia appeared first on Travel Daily Media.
Source: traveldailymedia