Tawau Hill Park Has Large Potential To Be Tourist Destination

TAWAU, March 13 (Bernama) -- Tawau Hill Park, 23km from town, has large potential to be a tourist destination, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said several exotic draws, be they from the flora or fauna aspects, that were in the area including orchid species can be made tourism attractions for both locals and foreigners.

"The potential for the park is large but the attractions must be packaged. For example, stay at the park is packaged for three days and two nights together with visits to attraction areas there," she told reporters after visiting the park on Saturday.

According to Dr Ng, among activities that can be packaged were visits to the orchids area, the waterfalls and hot springs.

Dr Ng suggested that a special committee made up of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), Tourism Malaysia, the Sabah Tourism Board and Sabah Parks be set up to promote the park effectively.

She said the park's natural surroundings that had been conserved and well-protected and its cleanliness will impress visitors as soon as they enter the park.

According to Dr Ng, Sabah Parks officers were acknowledged to be experts and experienced in conserving natural environemnt but not much exposed to tourism matters and as such tourism promotion experts needed to be involved to assist.

Besides the Tawau Hill Park where there is the 88.32m Seraya Kuning (shorea faguetianan) which is also the tallest tropical tree in the world, other Tawau tourism destinations are the Balung Eco-Tourism and the Cocoa Museum.