Author - jessica

Kota Kinabalu: The popular Poring Hot Spring in Ranau will be upgraded and expanded with new facilities to cater to the rising visitors, including tourists. Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, who disclosed this, said the move would involve building two to three big pools like the one in Japan and Bali, Indonesia, and also constructing 10 to 20 private chalets with bath tubs. She said upgrading and expanding Poring Hot Spring is essential as it would advance the place to the next height in the tourism industry since it was opened to the public in 1965. Liew said Poring Hot Spring was gazetted as part of Kinabalu Park in 1964 and the 30-hectare land was developed and opened to public in 1965. "Sabah Parks Director Dr Jamili Nais has informed me that Poring Hot Spring has been receiving many tourists and visitors since 2000. "Last year it recorded 416,572 visitors comprising 345,585 Malaysians and 70,987 foreign tourists with revenue receipt of RM3.07 million. Normally, there would be many visitors during the weekends and public holidays with an average 1,200 visitors per day," she told a press conference on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Monday. She made a working visit to Poring Hot Spring last Saturday to look at the existing facilities and features. In light of this, Dr Jamili told Daily Express that Sabah Parks initially targeted 400,000 people to visit Poring Hot Spring by end of this year but such figure had surpassed the target last year based on latest statistics. He said 80 per cent of the visitors were Malaysians, including from the peninsula and 20 per cent were foreign tourists. Presently, he said there are three pools for foot soaking and two bathing pools, namely rock pool and slide pool at the Poring Hot Spring. Following the working visit of Liew to Poring, Dr Jamili said it can be concluded that the place could not cater anymore for the rising number of visitors that has reached its maximum level based on the existing capabilities of the facilities. Hence, he said there is a need to upgrade and expand the place by adding more features. Liew said the proposed private chalets which will look like small bungalows aim to cater for high-end tourists who can afford the facilities and services. She said at present, there is no accommodation facilities in Poring and building the chalets would meet the needs of visitors who wish to stay to enjoy the nature and scenic view. "My ministry would prepare the working paper and submit it to the State Government," she said. Also present at the press conference were Permanent Secretary, Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Sabah Wildlife Department Director Augustine Tuuga and other officials. - Hayati Dzulkifli Source: Daily Express Newspaper Online

KUDAT: The culture of the Rungus ethnic group in Matunggong is a State treasure that could market the district as a tourist destination. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong said the State government would heighten its efforts to uphold the tourism industry in Sabah. “With tourism as our strength, the economy will improve and create more job opportunities. Sabah has 47 ethnic tribes that can only be found here … this is a treasure to our State,” he said at a press conference after representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal at the launch of Pesta Magahau 2018. He was confident that tourist arrivals to the State would continue to increase, however amenities such as the number of accommodation and lodging need to be increased. He said the new government would develop each district with balance so no community was left behind in terms of advancement. Earlier while delivering the Chief Minister’s speech, Jaujan explained that Pesta Magahau is the biggest celebration for the Momogun Rungus community, practised from their ancestors’ time. He also conveyed Shafie’s hope that the unity amongst Sabahans would be maintained through various celebrations in the State. Source: Borneo Post