 |
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (second left) alongside Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit (left), Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar (second right) and Kiulu Tourism Association president Meijin Maginggow.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 15): Sabah is pioneering efforts to promote rural destinations, bringing its community-based tourism (CoBT) operators to Peninsular Malaysia. For the first time, Sabah CoBT operators met with travel agents from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor in a business-to-business (B2B) session.
“I believe Sabah is the first state ever to stage a
roadshow specifically to promote and market rural tourism products at the
national level,”Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk
Joniston Bangkuai said.
The B2B session kicks off efforts to promote Sabah’s rural tourism products at the Sabah Community Based Tourism Fair (SCBTF) 2024, which will take place from October 16 to 20 at IOI Mall Putrajaya. He described the event as a “game-changer” that opens new opportunities for collaboration.
“We are leveraging the growing back-to-nature trend
among tourists,” he said at a press conference held at the Moxy Hotel Putrajaya
on Tuesday, where a B2B session also took place.
The session involved 27 tourism associations from 22
districts in Sabah, introducing agents to various cultural, adventure and
nature-based experiences offered in rural Sabah.
Participating associations include representatives
from districts of Ranau, Inanam, Kota Belud, Kiulu, Tuaran, Papar, Membakut,
Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Penampang, Tenom, Nabawan, Kemabong, Keningau, Tambunan,
Kota Marudu, Kudat, Pitas, Tongod, Telupid, Beluran, Kunak, Lahad Datu and
Kinabatangan.
Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism
Board and organising chairman of the SCBTF, said these experiences are unique
and essential for rural economic growth.
“We aim to attract more visitors to our rural areas, and the potential for collaboration is enormous. “The Sabah state government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, supports rural communities, and we hope to conduct similar events internationally to connect our CoBT operators with larger markets,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism Board chief executive
officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit said STB is dedicated to supporting rural
communities by providing essential guidance and resources for promoting our
rural destinations domestically and internationally.
“Tourism is a platform to empower rural communities,
driving socio-economic growth and fostering sustainable communities in line
with SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Goal 11.”
The five-day event, which will also include the
participation of the five handicraft cooperative entrepreneurs, will feature 34
booths from various tourism associations and local products from Sabah.
Julinus said attendees can expect various activities, including cultural dance performances, traditional games, craft demonstrations, and live performances by local Sabahan artist Zachkiddin Zachry. “Visitors can also immerse themselves in Virtual Reality (VR) experiences that provide a glimpse into Sabah’s unique rural landscapes,” he said.
Visitors will also have opportunities to win exciting
prizes through crossword puzzles, word searches, lucky draws, and the
interactive Spin-the-Wheel sessions held throughout the day.
