STA was established on 26th November 1963 and officially registered with ROS on 16th March 1966, with (Registration No # SAB 151) and therefore according to record, STA is the oldest Tourism NGO in Sabah.
The 2 People responsible for signing the relevant documents were Mr. Kenny Wee Tiong Kian (Vice Chairman) and Mr. Oh Chu Vun.
STA Past Chairman and Vice Chairman
| Year | Chairman | Vice Chairman |
| 1986 | Mr Francis Loh | Mr WJV Cook |
| 1971-1972 | Tan Sri Syed Kechik Syed Mohamed | Tan Sri Herman Luping |
| 1973-1975 | Tan Sri Syed Kechik Syed Mohamed | Datuk Haji Kassim Bin Othman |
| 1976-1979 | Datuk Haji Kassim Bin Othman | Mr Mat Sah Taib |
| 1980-1982 | Datuk Robert De Souza | Mr Simon Jenkins |
| 1983-1984 | Datuk Robert De Souza | Mr Kamalul Bahrin |
| 1984-1985 | Datuk George Chin | Mr Albert Teo |
| 1985-1986 | Mr Albert Teo | Mr Chang Erh Ling |
| 1986-1990 | Mr Tony Tan Nyang Peng | Mr Paul Wang |
| 1990-1994 | Mr Peter Teo Tiong Hee | Mr Awang Ahmad Bin Mohd Alidin |
| 1994-1999 | Mr Thomas Willie | Mr Clement Lee |
| 1999-2009 | Mr Clement Lee | Mr Foo Kia Inn |
| 2009-2011 | Mr Liew Len Pong | Mr Freddie Lim |
| 2011-2013 | Mr Tonny Chew | Mr Freddie Lim |
