Sabah takes off with Helicopter transfers

Sabah has added a new tourism product to its portfolio today in the form of helicopter transfers from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to both Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort and Nexus Resort Karambunai.

This exclusive product, which took its maiden flight today, adds a luxurious twist to Sabah, providing a grand arrival for tourists arriving in Kota Kinabalu. The new product is a joint effort by Sabah Air and European Tour Operator, Touchdown Holidays.

Passengers arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport will now have the option of being transferred in true style by helicopter to the resorts of their choice. Guests pre-booking a Helicopter Transfer through Touchdown will be met on arrival in the airport terminal by a service representative, expedited through passport control and customs and whisked off to the Sabah Air Terminal for a scenic 15 minute flight to their  respective luxury resort. Any guest staying at Rasa Ria and Nexus will also have the opportunity to book their return airport transfer by helicopter via  the respective hotel concierge desk.

The helicopter flight journey from Kota Kinabalu to both Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort and Nexus Resort Karambunai will take approximately 15 minutes. Other resorts and destinations where this air transfer service will be made available will include Sukau, Langkayan Island and Tabin Wildlife  Reserve, with departures from Sandakan Airport. Additional helicopter sightseeing trips, including aerial tours of Mount Kinabalu will be offered through Touchdown to its extensive network of overseas tour operators and travel wholesalers.

This new VIP style transfer service has been conceptualised by Touchdown Holidays Managing Director, Phil Dobson. Dobson, an avid helicopter enthusiast, sees the need for such a luxurious service within the  European and Australian tourism markets, and feels that this new addition will add a touch of class to this already exciting destination. Touchdown Holidays will market this new transfer service throughout Europe and Australia to travel agents and wholesalers.

"This type of service already sells extremely well to holiday makers around the world  and will fit in perfectly within Sabah. It is exciting and affordable and guests will love it. This will be the perfect start to their holiday," Dobson stated. Dobson is confident on the response to this new service, adding "we have  promoted and distributed brochures on the air-transfer and sightseeing service targeting the various markets in Europe and Australia, and we expect to be receiving bookings for this service soon."

Touchdown Holidays is a UK-based tour operation that sends thousands of tourists to Sabah each year. In addition, Dobson is the Managing Director of The English Tea House & Restaurant in Sandakan, a hot spot  proving very popular with tourists and the local community. These contributions clearly show his commitment to expanding the tourism experience in Sabah, both for his own clients and the community at large. Touchdown recently won both the Tourism Malaysia Award for "Best Tour  Operator - Europe 2002" and the Sabah Tourism Award for "Best Supporting Agent To Sabah - Europe 2001-2002".

Touchdown Holidays has confidently partnered with Sabah Air on this new service. Sabah Air has operated commercially in Sabah for over 20 years and is looking forward to expanding its portfolio of services with this new air transfer from KK to the two resort hotels. Sabah Air has undertaken to train staff at both resorts in passenger safety and helicopter policies and procedures to ensure smooth operations at both the helicopter terminal and at the resorts. Wong Seu Lin, the Marketing Director for both Sabah Air and IntraTravel feels that the new transfer service will increase the awareness of tourists for the various products and services offered by her companies as well as adding an exciting new dimension to the destination. 

"We are extremely excited to be able to offer this new service for tourists arriving to Sabah. Similar services are popular around the world and we are delighted that Sabah can compete on this level," Wong stated.

Sabah Air also offers a range of tourism products in the form of Helicopter Sightseeing Trips. Currently, Sabah Air operates the Kota Kinabalu Aerial Delight, a 30 minute helicopter tour focused on the capital and the  surrounding islands, as well as the Mount Kinabalu Aerial Fantasy, which gives passengers a closer look at the highest peak in South East Asia, as well as a wonderful overview of Sabah's spectacular countryside. Helicopter charters are also available on an ad hoc basis from both Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, where helicopters are permanently based.