Sabah needs more new tourism products: Masidi

Kota Kinabalu: The Cultural Hotspot@KK and Art Baazar at the compound of the National Culture and Art Department (JKKN) Complex here can be packaged as Sabah’s latest tourism product, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He said Sabah needs more new tourism products to lure visitors to the State.

“We all know that our tourism players are working very hard to promote Sabah as a tourist destination following several unfavourable incidents last year, hence the need to come up with more new tourism products to lure tourists to the State.

“I perceive the Cultural Hostpot@KK and Art Baazar as new tourism products that could be highlighted and promoted to boost our tourism industry,” he said when launching the two events at the JKKN Sabah Complex on Sunday.

He hoped tour and travel agents would consider including the two events as a must-visit spot in their tour packages for foreign tourists.

The tourists, he said, could enjoy traditional dances performed by local dancers for free from 8pm to 9pm every Friday and the Art Baazar every first week Saturday that will showcase local art works and food.

On the other hand, Masidi said, the Cultural Hotspot@KK will provide an opportunity for art enthusiasts to exhibit their talents.

As for the Art Baazar, he said, it will provide a venue for art enthusiasts to display their works, apart from generating attractive income by selling them.

Meanwhile, JKKN Sabah Director Jasmi Rasit said the department introduced the latest programme as an effort to uplift the image of art and culture in Sabah.

“The Cultural Hotspot@KK is an effort to boost the activities of art and culture, especially traditional dances. Apart from that, it will enhance the JKKN Complex as a place of attraction,” he said.

Source: Daily Express