Rural Folks More Aware of Tourism Initiatives

Kota Kinabalu: There is stronger belief among rural folks that community-driven tourism initiatives can uplift their livelihood, create economic and job opportunities, particularly for their youths.

One of the success stories comes from Kadamaian where communities have generated a total earning of RM300,000 in the first six months this year from various tourism products and services offered to domestic and foreign visitors.

Their success is a huge statement of the State Government’s efforts in promoting rural tourism in Sabah more aggressively since four years ago.

“Since Datuk Seri Musa Aman became Chief Minister, tourism has been one of the State’s core developments.

“We have always been promoting rural tourism but not as aggressively as in the last four years.

We in STB (Sabah Tourism Board) set up a rural tourism unit and one of our outcomes is seeing greater awareness among rural communities that tourism can be a source of revenue for them,” said board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai when announcing the State’s first Rural Tourism Roadshow during a press conference, Tuesday.

To be held at Imago Shopping Mall from Aug 5-6, the event he said will unveil to the public what rural tourism in Sabah has to offer particularly Tambunan, Ranau, Kiulu and Kadamaian.

“As awareness is growing, more villages and individuals ventured into tourism. Now after four years, it’s time for them to show their products and services to the general public,” he said.

Kadamaian will woo visitors with products such as adventure-filled river activities, hiking trails, caves and waterfalls to name a few.

According to Kadamaian Tourism Association (KATA) chairman Walter Duis Kandayon, visitors have a choice of at least 30 villages to explore and experience, each one with their own tourism products and services.

He said although their initiatives started two years ago, they generated the six-figure revenue in the first six-month this year, a success the community never expected.

“Having seen the results, now everyone’s excited about tourism,” he said.

The profit has enabled the association to develop new tourism products and create economic and employment opportunity for some of their youths.

“Ever since tourists have come to our villages, we’ve seen a growing number of stalls by the roadside.

And some of our youths have been earning extra income as guides, life guards and office staff,” said Walter.

He hoped the upcoming event will get more people to know about rural tourism products in Kadamaian.

So far their only means of promotion is through the social media.

He also hoped to see more impact from tourism revenue to the livelihood of the community comprising mostly subsistence farmers in five years’ time.

Apart from Kadamaian, Kiulu is also looking forward to having bigger arrival of visitors to experience the many natural attractions available in the district.

Kiulu Tourism Association Lasmin Lopog said the area is already well known for its water rafting activity in the Kiulu River, picnic spots, homestays and the latest activity, the Kiulu Riverside Tracking.

Tourists he said will also be able to experience the natural environment and live in farm stays and rough terrains on quad bikes provided.

He estimated that there has been an increase of visitors coming to explore tourism products in Kiulu including foreigners from 3,000 in 2016 to 5,000 this year.

“The revenue generated from this will certainly benefit the community,” he said.

The Chief Minister had recently said it was timely that the world knows what the rural areas of Sabah can offer to visitors in terms of tourism products.

“It is indeed very important to tell Sabah’s rural story to the world including its natural attractions, rich cultural heritage and an array of tourism products. Developing rural tourism will also assist our rural folks in uplifting their livelihood,” he had said.

During the event there will be quizzes and games such as “butod” (sago worm) eating challenge, treasure hunt, traditional performances and children’s activities. – Leonard Alaza and Jeremy Zabala

Source: Daily Express