The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will lend its support as a co-sponsor to the 25th Sabah Hospitality Fiesta, underscoring the event’s significance as an international showcase of Sabah’s hospitality industry.

The fiesta, jointly organised by the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah & Labuan Chapter, Asian Tourism International College (ATI College), and the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), will take place from 21 to 23 November 2025 at SICC.

Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew commended the organisers’ 25 years of dedication to strengthening Sabah’s hospitality sector. She also praised the introduction of the Sabah Hospitality Expo (SOHEX), which will debut this year as part of the fiesta.

“Your initiative to introduce SOHEX as an integral part of the 25th Sabah Hospitality Fiesta is commendable. It is a good move in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. We hope to see more international participants from Asia and beyond,” she said after receiving a courtesy call from the organising committee, led by ATI College Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Khen Thau.

The Minister is expected to officially launch the events on 21 November. SOHEX will feature 150 booths offering a wide array of food, beverages, and hospitality services, along with live cooking sessions showcasing Sabah’s culinary delights.

Meanwhile, the Hospitality Mastery Competition, a highlight of the 25th Sabah Hospitality Fiesta, will feature contests in patisserie, Black Box Cooking, bartending, housekeeping, and floristry, welcoming both professionals and apprentices from Malaysia and abroad.

Datuk Seri Wong attributed the event’s longevity to strong support from KePKAS and other partners. Event Organising Chairman Krishnan Mogan and newly appointed MAH Sabah & Labuan Chapter Chairman, Suresh Ramasamy, also expressed their gratitude to the ministry.

“It’s our Sabahan festival, especially for hoteliers. We want to nurture young talents and provide them with a platform to shine. Our sincere thanks to KePKAS for being our partner,” said Suresh.

SICC’s Director of Food & Beverage Operations, Mohd Firdaous Mohd Izhar, representing CEO Datuk Dr Hjh Rosmawati Lasuki, reaffirmed the convention centre’s commitment to supporting the fiesta’s success.

Also present at the courtesy call were KePKAS Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, organising committee secretary Mabel Cheong, and MAH Sabah & Labuan Chapter secretary Natalia Nadirah Saiman.