10Nov

Kiulu tourist arrivals up sharply

KOTA KINABALU: Promoting the uniqueness of Kiulu with the objective to make it a prime ecotourism destination has been bearing fruit so far, according to Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Tourist arrivals to Kiulu came up to 27,000 last year and their numbers surged to nearly 40,000 between January and September this year alone, he told reporters in a press conference for the third Kiulu Adventure Challenge (KAC), yesterday. “What we want to highlight and promote through the KAC is the uniqueness that Kiulu has to offer. “The run itself is unique, because it does not only combine cycling and running, but rafting as well. “We also made sure to include family involvement, with the introduction of a 5km Family Fun Run this year, in addition to the existing Kiulu Mini Carnival,” he added. Joniston said the KAC was organised as one of the many efforts to promote rural tourism and empower the local community by creating tourism and business opportunities in Sabah. “Kiulu locals are heavily involved in organising the KAC because we want them to really be able to feel the benefits of expanding ecotourism opportunities in their hometown. “We don’t want Sabah to be known only for our Mount Kinabalu. We want Sabah to also be associated with richness in traditions and culture from its interior parts,” he added. Earlier, KAC race director Auther J Kimon said flag-off would be at 6.30am on December 3, at Rumah Tradisi Kiulu. The route includes 13 kilometres of running and 30 kilometres of cycling along the hilly earth trails passing through villages and hanging bridges, alongside white-water rafting along the scenic Kiulu River. “The first five kilometres of the run will be on asphalt road while the second part will be on gravel. It’s all undulating surfaces so that’s why we call it a challenge. “There are even some parts of the route where participants will have to carry their bicycles, hence the term ‘mini challenge,'” said Auther, adding that the highest peak of the route reaches up to 140 metres. He also said each checkpoint is complete with markers and crew, and that the route was chosen due to its low risk and convenience for emergency evacuation, which provides accessibility to injured participants. The Kiulu Mini Carnival will also be held on the same day in Kiulu town, featuring stalls operated by locals selling authentic local food and handicrafts. Other activities include traditional games, catch-a-duck competition, stone painting, coconut bowling and tug-of-war. Approximately 430 adventure enthusiasts have registered for the challenge so far, while interested parties can still register till November 25. Those interested can submit registration at the Kiulu Tourism Association office in Tamparuli Point, Chanteek Borneo in Tamparuli, KLK Ponohuon Lodge in Kiulu, Riverbug office in Wisma Sabah here or through WhatsApp at 017-7698862 (Suzie).   Source: Borneo Post
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , , , Comments Off
Read more...
07Nov

Rejuvenating Kiulu nature trekking

KIULU: THE Kiulu district has come up with what is believed to be the first dedicated trekking trails spanning 45km from Tamparuli, here, to the hilly Pekan Nabalu. It offers the “Riverside Lung Washing Trekking Trails”, which live up to its reputation as a destination for adventure enthusiasts. The term “lung washing” has a scientific explanation associated with the act of taking a break in nature. Such an experience, away from city life distractions, is said to boost the immune system and help rejuvenate the body. Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, launched the trails at Kampung Lubok, here, recently. He said the trails passed through several villages. Trekkers were recommended to spend three to four days there. They could start their journey from either Pekan Nabalu or the Tamparuli town, which is about an hour’s drive from Kota Ki- nabalu. Guides will be assigned to help them and they can spend their nights in community-managed base camps or village homestays. The routes were categorised from “easy” to “challenging” and trekkers could follow well-marked trails over undulating, small uphill sections. “Trekkers would be able to explore the Borneo lowland forest, learn basic jungle survival skills from the natives, identify wild indigenous medicinal plants as well as edible plants, and they can experience the culture and hospitality of the local people and see unique species of flora and fauna in the Kiulu forest. “Kiulu offers you an experience of a lifetime by taking you through one of the loveliest and untouched parts of Sabah,” said Joniston. Kiulu Tourism Association (KTA) president Dr Edmon Guntis added that trekkers could also expect to cross numerous suspension bridges, rivers and tri-butaries. “You can have local expert guides who can share their knowledge of the jungle, and at the same time, show you how to use the natural resources from the forest to your advantage in order to survive,” said Dr Edmon. The Tourism and Culture Ministry (Motac) Sabah office director Awang Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar said the move to introduce the trekking trails was timely as the Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had described Kiulu as a model for rural tourism development in Ma-laysia. A few years ago, Nazri visited Kiulu’s tourist attractions and had a first-hand experience of white-water rafting along the Kiulu river, as well as trying out Sabah’s longest zip line at Kampung Rangalau Lama. Ahmad Zaki said locals would also benefit from this by giving the services required by trek-kers. “Besides offering services as guides, villagers along the trekking trails could also offer homestay services or open up stalls offering authenic local delicacies and handicrafts, among others,” he said.   Source: New Straits Times
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , , , , Comments Off
Read more...
06Oct

Young Sabahan promotes local food through social media accounts

KOTA BELUD: A business graduate here has turned to social media to promote exotic and traditional dishes in Sabah. Pison Jaujip, 33, said traditional food was a part of Sabah’s native people’s identity and that it was important to share the information with others. “I created a social media account under the name of ‘Ropuhan Di Tanak Wagu’ to share new and improved local tradition recipes with fellow Sabahans. “It is also to convince them that our local produces are on a par with imported goods,” he said, adding that the meaning of the username is “kitchen for a young man” in Kadazandusun language. Pison started posting about traditional delicacies on his website, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube since last year. Among the photos he shared were tuhau (pickle wild ginger), bambangan (wild mango), butod (sago worm), kodop (fungus), and bee larvae. Despite being busy with his business in selling local rice, Pison finds time to obtain raw ingredients from the forest or oil palm plantation. He also likes to go to the tamu, or weekly market, here as it gives him the opportunity to exchange information about traditional food with the people there. “I have been cooking and preparing traditional food since I was a child. “I have fond memories of helping my grandmother to make bosou (fermented river fish with pangi/keluak and rice),” he said, adding that his favourite dish was the fish soup cooked with bambangan. Pison also posted videos on his social media accounts, sharing recipes of tuhau-flavoured mayonnaise, tuhau fried chicken, sambal liposu, sago crepe with banana and even tapai (rice wine). “For now, people from Sabah and Sarawak are very supportive (of what I have been doing). There are also many visitors from peninsular Malaysia asking about the ingredients for my recipes. “I hope through social media, I could generate more interest and exposure locally and abroad on Sabahan cuisines and raw ingredients.” Pison’s perseverance and passion in promoting local foods have recently started to bear fruit. He had the oppprtunity to film with a local television to showcase food, such as bambangan soup, grilled salted fish, brinjal and local banana and corns, at a campsite here. He was also invited as a guest exhibitor at several food festivals in the state to demonstrate cooking and promote local dishes to more people. Source: New Straits Times
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
05Oct

‘Nurturing Sabah’s Rural Creative Communities’ seminar

KOTA KINABALU: The Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) (or IDS) in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung of Germany (KAS), and in collaboration with the Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu (SPArKS) is organising a seminar entitled Nurturing Sabah’s Rural Creative Communities. Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Hj Aman has been invited to declare open the one-day seminar on Oct 12 at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, here. Executive Director of IDS, Datuk Mohd Hasnol bin Ayub in a statement said the Creative Economy is today recognised as a leading sector in generating economic growth, employment and trade. He said the creative industries are seen as a key component in a new knowledge economy – capable of delivering urban and rural regeneration, often through initiatives linked to utilization of cultural heritage that leads to increased tourism. “In Malaysia, the Government is embarking in creative industries strategies through the National Creative Industry Policy (Dasar Industri Kreatif Negara, launched in 2011),” said Hasnol. “While in Sabah the Sabah Development Corridor Blueprint has emphasised the importance of the creative industries in order to achieve some of its key objectives.” The study on the development of creative industries in Sabah has also been initiated by the State government, he said. He added that although the national and state strategies are primarily focused on developing a creative class synonymous with an urban lifestyle and amenities, the success of the “Creative Economy” idea in Sabah is also dependent on the important role and success of rural and non-urban regions. These locations can offer a different collection of amenities that can be equally attractive to a subset of the creative class, and create self-sustaining rural creative communities. “Creativity, especially in culture, traditional heritage, and tourism assets, coupled with a vast rural area are essential keys to Sabah’s unique and distinctive identity,” Hasnol said. “In exploring the untapped potentials of rural creative communities, Sabah could position itself to boost their contribution in terms of income generation, employment and by extension, poverty reduction.” About 150 participants both from public and private sectors, NGOs, industry players and related stakeholders are expected to attend the seminar. Those interested to participate in the seminar may contact Lailah Chung or Marianne Kiob at 088-450500. Source : New Sabah Times
By Inside KePKAS, , , Comments Off
Read more...
20Sep

Le Meridien and Four Points host annual “Take Care” run

KOTA KINABALU: Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu and Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan will be hosting the annual 5km fun charity run under the “TakeCare” movement by Marriott International. The movement was launched to provide resources and opportunities for associates to stay physically and spiritually healthy where the ultimate goal is to improve the well-being and happiness of the associates. “The fun charity run further underscores the commitment of Marriott International to ensure the presence of our hotels in terms of footprint and strength of the associates will continue to drive positive sustainable social and economic impact for the communities which we operate,” it said in a statement yesterday. Run to Give 2017 will be held simultaneously on Sept 24 across destinations in Asia Pacific, and for Sabah it will be held at Taman Ujana Rimba, Kota Kinabalu from 7am-10am. Registration is at RM50 per person and children under 5 years of age can participate for free. Only the first 250 registrations will receive one Ultron t-shirt, participating medal and certificate). Marriott International will channel the proceeds from this event to the National Kidney Foundation Malaysia. Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu and Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan have appointed PEMADAM Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu as its local beneficiary. PEMADAM is a non-governmental organization which organizes anti-drug awareness programs and activities in the city. Those who are interested to be a part of this global activity can contact Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu – Shirley Shim at +6013 866 6699 or Clara Lim at +6012 801 9935, and Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan – Haeruddin Nurdin at +6017 373 4028 or Mohd Azwan at +6016 552 3495. Source: New Sabah Times
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...