Tourism can help lift Pitas folk out of poverty, says Bangkuai

News Date:  November 26, 2021
Media : The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Community-based tourism has been identified as a way of bringing people in Sabah’s poverty-stricken Pitas district out of their plight.

State Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said Pitas has a lot of untapped tourism potential.

“It has been called the poorest district, but to me, it is rich in nature, and Pitas’ beauty can attract visitors.

“There are already several homestays operating, and many have come to stay, helping the community.

“We want to see tourism as a way to bring Pitas folk out of poverty, and this is a way to boost the economy (there),” he said after launching the Walai Ondoton Pitas Homestay floating rest house in Kampung Kuyuh here on Friday (Nov 26).

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai launching the floating resthouse of Walai Ondoton PItas Homestay. – photo courtesy of Sabah Tourism Board

Bangkuai, who also chairs the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), said the authorities aim to bring high-end tourists into the state by promoting rural destinations and nature to them.

“The Tourism Ministry and STB continue to focus on rural tourism to empower the community and we are ready to assist in promoting products that are available in Pitas,” he said.

He added that members of the community in the district must equip themselves with knowledge about interesting activities and destinations that can lure visitors.

The Walai Ondoton Pitas Homestay is among several community-based tourism sites in Pitas. It is managed by six villages namely Kampung Kuyuh, Kampung Manggis, Kampung Pogil, Kampung Datong, Kampung Kabatasan and Kampung Sinsilog.

Enting Sambing

Homestay coordinator Enting Sambing said the homestay was established in 2007 but was put on hold as the community was not ready to receive tourists at the time.

“We restarted our homestay in 2019 and recorded about 400 visitors a month.

“The pandemic has affected us, but we are ready… to welcome visitors once again. I always make sure the community remains in high spirits, but we also need continuous support from STB,” he said.

The homestay floating rest house was part of the Sabah New Deal grant meant to help affected tourism players improve and upgrade their facilities.

The rest house was docked at Sungai Kampung Kuluh, a potential tourism product for river cruise activity, proboscis monkey watching and firefly watching, among others. – The Star