TUARAN: The positioning of Kiulu as Sabah’s community-based eco-tourism activities hub is further strengthened with the development of three newest adventure products in the district.
The products are the Ratau Camp Site in Kampung Ratau, the Sangod-Hill hiking trail in Kampung Lokub, and the Watu Kokoluton hiking trail in Kampung Talantang.
It was established via the Sabah Community Adoption Programme project, carried out by non-governmental organisation Rythm Foundation and Good Shepherd Services, with the participation of the local community.
Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the new products had the potential to attract more visitors and adventure seekers to explore Kiulu.
“My ministry and the Sabah Tourism’s authorities are always supportive of the development of community-based tourism.
The community project aims to provide academic support and strengthen youth skills in the field of tourism to reduce poverty among rural communities.
Joniston, who is also the Kiulu state assemblyman, said the development initiative was necessary to encourage young people to take up opportunities and work together to improve their community.
He said, undertaking community-based eco-tourism activities can generate lucrative income and requires the involvement of all villagers to make their tourist spots attractive and well-known.
“Besides that, agriculture is also a viable tourism product. Agro-ecotourism activities can be developed by local communities using their existing capabilities.
“Therefore, I call on all communities to make the best use of the training opportunities provided to develop themselves and at the same time improve the living standards of all villagers,” said Joniston who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman.
Meanwhile, the community project has also benefited 48 SK Lokub pupils via academic support conducted by youths from Kampung Ratau, Kampung Lokub, and Kampung Talantang.
In the initiative, the youths took on the role of a tutor to mentor schoolchildren face-to-face, as learning in schools shifts entirely to online.
Also present at the opening were Rythm Foundation head Santhi Periasamy; Good Shepherd Services board member Petrus Gimbad; STB chief financial officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah president Walter Kandayon, and Kiulu Tourism Association chairman Mejin Moginggow.
