Health Update: Sabah Concludes First Medical and Wellness Tourism Training for Licensed Tour Guides – What Experts Say

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has successfully concluded its first-ever Medical and Wellness Tourism Training for Licensed Tour Guides, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to position itself as a comprehensive global medical and wellness tourism destination.

The four-day intensive programme, fully sponsored by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), was completed by five licensed Sabah tour guides. Upon completion, all participants will proceed to a six-month structured practical mentorship programme with QiMag Wholistic Professionals PLT (QiMag).

The training programme was curated and developed by Cleopatra Lajawai, Chief Executive Officer of Qi-Mag Global Wholistic Professionals, and designed and led in close collaboration with Grandmaster Dr Jes T.Y. Lim, Founder of the Qi-Mag Global Institutes. The programme was facilitated by Rebecca Majantim.

In parallel with the training, Medical and Wellness Tourism packages for Sabah were jointly curated by Cleopatra Lajawai and Grandmaster Dr Jes T.Y. Lim. Following their official launch in 2026, these packages will be delivered on the ground by the trained and licensed Sabah tour guides, ensuring professional, safe and wellness-aligned visitor experiences.

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Grandmaster Dr Jes T.Y. Lim said Sabah Medical and Wellness Tourism represents a niche market that extends beyond traditional spa and massage offerings. He noted that global wellness tourism is currently valued at approximately USD 6 trillion, with the potential to exceed USD 20 trillion when medical screening, preventive health, fitness, health safety, gigong longevity practices and multiple wellness disciplines are fully integrated.

He added that Sabah’s programme is the first in the world to train tour guides in medical screening, preventive health assessments and therapies, gigong longevity practices, as well as general wellness and safety training for tourists, describing it as a strong entrepreneurial initiative for the state.

The training formed part of a pilot Medical and Wellness Tourism programme developed by QiMag specifically for Sabah. As part of the programme, participants received a medical briefing at SabahCare Fertility & Specialist Center, the appointed medical partner for the pilot packages.

Practical immersion sessions were conducted with wellness partners Synergist Physiotherapy, Avakas Fitness and AEI Wellness, as well as at key wellness tourism locations including Pekan Nabalu, Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Spring, Sabah Tea Plantation, Pine Resort Kundasang and Tanjung Aru Beach.

Sharing STB’s strategic vision, Julinus Jimit, Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board, said the state’s approach is guided by the theme, “Sabah: Where Wellness Begins in Nature, Culture and the Human Spirit.” He emphasised that Sabah’s strengths lie in its pristine natural environment, ancient rainforests, living cultures and warm hospitality, noting that wellness in Sabah is naturally lived rather than manufactured.

From rainforests such as Imbak Canyon, Maliau Basin and Danum Valley to the marine ecosystems of Semporna, Sabah offers a rare rainforest-to-reef wellness journey grounded in nature, culture and human connection.

As part of industry collaboration, QiMag engaged Lakut Production as its official digital video and photography partner. QiMag will also work with SETIA (Sabah Enhanced Travel Innovation Association) to develop end-to-end medical and wellness tourism packages covering logistics, accommodation and meals, while QiMag leads the curation of destination-aligned wellness activities.

Looking ahead, QiMag Wholistic Professionals PLT will propose additional wellness activities across a wider range of venues and plans to train more licensed tour guides as the programme expands to other locations throughout Sabah. Future developments include the integration of Cultural Wellness and Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) locations. QiMag will also seek formal approval for the training programme to be recognised under Sabah Tour Guides’ Continuous Tourism Related Education (CTRE), supporting long-term capacity building and professional standards.

Beyond breathing and vitality techniques, the programme incorporates experiential, nature-based wellness practices, including engagement with the energy of Mount Kinabalu, natural landscapes, plants, trees and water elements, as well as basic energy first-aid techniques aimed at enhancing tourist well-being and safety.

Congratulating the collaboration, Grandmaster Dr Jes T.Y. Lim confirmed that the QiMag-initiated Medical and Wellness Tourism packages will be launched in April 2026, in preparation for Visit Sabah 2027.

In Sabah, wellness does not begin at a spa — it begins in nature, lives in culture and stays in the heart.