Attracting visitors to Kiulu’s eco-tourism find

KIULU: The Kiulu Adventure Challenge 2015 set for Dec 13 could become a model of rural tourism development for other areas in Sabah, said Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

He said eco, agro and adventure-tourism in Kiulu could be popularised through an upcoming event organised for the first time to promote the sub-district of Tamparuli, as a tourism destination and to boost river protection awareness among local residents.

“Through this event, we hope to highlight Kiulu as a preferred nature and adventure destination.

“We hope to hold a similar programme in other rural areas in the future if our first adventure challenge proves to be successful,” he said in an interview in Kampung Rangalau, here.

Joniston, who is also Kiulu assemblyman, said rural tourism activities had huge potential to empower the local communities economically.

“This event helps promote activities such as cross-country trekking and cycling, homestay and tourism-related community programmes in Kiulu that could help enhance the livelihood of residents,” he said.

Joniston said STB had formed a rural tourism development committee to look into ways of exploiting and developing tourism to improve the economic position of communities with the support of industry players and the local organisations.

Joniston, who is the event organising chairman, said the Kiulu Adventure Challenge was organised by STB, Kiulu Tourism Association and Kiulu Village Development and Security Committee, and supported by the Tourism and Culture Ministry in conjunction with the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFest) 2015.

He said the challenge involved a 13.5km run from Chenteek Borneo Gallery in Tamparuli to the Riverbug Rafting Centre followed by a 24km bike ride to Kampung Tulung and a stop at the Tagal fishing centre in Kampung Poturidong before concluding with a 14km raft ride from Kampung Pukak back to the Riverbug centre.

Some 600 domestic and foreign participants are expected in the event. – Bernama

Source: The Star Online