Festival to promote Sabah's Nabalu as pineapple town

 

State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (second from right) has proposed to hold a pineapple and fruits festival at Nabalu. - Pic courtesy of Kiulu assemblyman office.

TUARAN:  A pineapple and fruits festival has been proposed for Nabalu to recognise the town as the primary pineapple-growing region in Sabah.

State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has tentatively set the end of the year to hold the festival.

Joniston, who is Kiulu assemblyman, said a festival was an ideal way to promote local growers and highlight rural Sabah as a centre for agrotourism.

"This festival is also essential in enhancing Sabah's tourism promotion efforts. For instance, Kiulu is a rural tourism and fruits hub that places a strong focus on eco-and-agrotourism. 

"Villagers not only run tourism business but plant pineapples and other crops either as a hobby or to diversify their income," he said.

Joniston was speaking at the launch of the Pekan Nabalu Kaamatan Festival, co-organised by Persatuan Alunan Seni Budaya Sabah (PASBS) and Pekan Nabalu Stall Operators Association here.

"In addition to attracting visitors and tourists alike, the pineapple festival will be a great opportunity for local farmers and entrepreneurs to showcase their products, network with other industry players, and increase their market reach," he added.

Joniston also met stall operators, who raised various issues, including the dilapidated condition of their stalls.

Organising chairman Michael Yumpoh expressed strong interest in organising the pineapple festival and said he would hold a meeting to discuss the proposal in detail.

Pekan Nabalu is a popular stopover for travellers on their way to Kundasang or Kota Kinabalu. 

Visitors would normally stop for a restroom break or to purchase souvenirs as well as take photogaphs of Mount Kinabalu.

At the event were Kiulu assistant district officer Justin Ginduk, Kiulu people development leader Golubi Guntarek and Pekan Nabalu Stall Operators Association chairman Jouna Moguntas.

-nst online.