Sabah
Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai visiting Walai Tobilung Kg.
Minansad tourism products in Kota Marudu. - Pic courtesy of Sabah Tourism Board
KOTA KINABALU: Remote villages in Sabah will not be excluded
from tourism initiatives to improve the livelihood of the rural poor, said
Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
The board has
recorded 133 rural tourism products in the 10 poorest districts in Sabah,
involving community-based tourism, homestays and privately owned ventures.
Tongod has six
products, Beluran has two, Pitas has five, Kinabatangan has six, Kota Marudu
has 20, Tuaran has 38, Ranau has 35 and Lahad Datu has 12.
In a recent
Dewan Rakyat sitting, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli highlighted these districts
as among the poorest based on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022
report.
Two other districts are Nabawan, with three products, and
Telupid, with six products, which were listed in the Statistics Department's
Poverty Index 2022 report.
Bangkuai, who is also the state's assistant tourism, culture
and environment minister, said tourism was vital in driving economic recovery
in these districts.
"The Sabah Tourism Board's product division has been
tasked with identifying potential rural tourism products and providing
essential aid to local communities to grow in tourism."
He said he hoped to meet Rafizi to present tourism-related
initiatives, emphasising the need for cohesive efforts to uplift Sabah from
poverty.
"It's crucial to involve the Economy Ministry in our
plans to allow it to understand better how it can support Sabah's journey out
of poverty.
"We firmly believe that tourism is a cornerstone in
empowering rural communities and fostering economic growth.
"As most rural folks are farmers, we see great potential
in turning agricultural activities into agro-tourism."
Developing tourism products with a focus on the poorest
districts was brought up during the Sabah Tourism Board's Rural Tourism Product
Committee meeting.
The discussion focused on plans to enhance tourism to yield
concrete results.
The Sabah Tourism Board highlighted some attractions in the
state:
TONGOD: Tinopikon Langkabon Eco-Tourism, Kampung Kulat Tagal
Eco-Tourism, Kampung Totomolon Tagal Eco-Tourism and Chinese Heritage House
Kuala Tongod.
BELURAN: Sugut Conservation Area and Tangkol Crossing Memorial
in Kampung Muanad.
PITAS: Supirak Island, Piniapat Hill, Pitas Floating Coral Bar
and Kem Cinta Alam Paitan.
KINABATANGAN: Miso Walai Homestay, Suan Lamba Kampung Lanut
and Bilit Homestay.
KOTA MARUDU: Walai Tobilung Kampung Minansad, Sorinsim Sub
Station, Kokobuan Waterfall Eco-Tourism in Kampung Gana, Liogu Noruod Kampung
Sungoi, Togudon Geo Tourism Kampung Togudon, Liogu Stamping Kampung Marak Park
and Mount Cochrane Kampung Kirangawan.
TUARAN-TAMPARULI: Mantaranau Jungle Track and Recreation,
Kokobuan Trig Hill and Eco Tourism, Murug-Turug Eco-Tourism, Mara Kara Hill and
Eco-Tourism, Koperasi Pelancongan Kampung Tiong Simpodon, Monggiland
Eco-Tourism and Bundu Tohuri Forest Adventure Park.
TUARAN-KIULU: Moninduk Sirung Kampung Tiong Temburong,
Kaliposuan Recreation View, Mitabang Homestay, Dapako Hill Lingga Eco-Tourism,
Pusat Rekreasi Bambangan Lama, Tongkoluson Campsite, Kiulu Farmstay, Kampung
Stay Tombung, Sinorut Eco-Tourism, Lambing Park Eco Tourism, Tukad Gonipis
Sandangau, Pomompuhunyan Sinompuruan Campsite, Sinansag Eco-Tourism, Lubok
Riverside Campsite and Recreation Centre, Lokub Eco-Tourism, Ratau Eco-Tourism,
Poturidong River and Nature Hike, Tagahas Cultural Group Pukak Village, and
Talantang Eco-Tourism.
RANAU: Tagal Luanti, Tagal Nalapak, Tukad Gonipis Kampung
Tudan, Bombon Marakau, Lugas Hill Eco-Tourism, Tiang Lama Eco-Tourism, Lugas
Hill, Tinagas Cultural Centre Kampung Sinurai, Tagal Thinkoyodon Malinsau Darat
and Wasai Gondou Eco Tourism.
-nst online.