Community – Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS)

Community tourism rep to join overseas promos

KOTA KINABALU: A representative from the community-based tourism will be joining Sabah delegates from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for their official visits to overseas to promote its diverse range of rural tourism products.Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the representative would represent all community-based tourism stakeholders in Sabah to serve as an exposure as well as to create visibility in the international arena.“By bringing along a representative from the community-based tourism in our official visits to overseas, they will be able to showcase more of their products at the international stage. “Sabah is rich with nature, wildlife, flora and fauna, and these are something that other places might not have, so we need to promote all that. “Every district in Sabah also offers different and unique products and services, and we want especially foreign tourists to experience each of that. They will keep coming back here and generate more income for the State,” she said when launching the Third Community Based Roadshow at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, here, Saturday. Liew said there is an increasing demand for international and domestic travellers who seek authentic, unique experiences and local lifestyles in the rural areas.“Travellers have a checklist of must-see in Sabah but to be unique and different, they venture to the areas less travelled. This is where our community-based tourism products fall in. “I often see inspiring and breathtaking pictures which were actually taken around the Kundasang-Ranau area and the serene backgrounds in the interiors of Kadamaian and Tenom,” she said.Twenty-five districts in Sabah including Tungku, a sub-district, participated in the roadshow organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), which aims to showcase and promote rural tourism products and attractions, initiated by communities from each district.The roadshow is also a platform for new rural community-based operators to promote rural tourism activities as village homestay, local delicacies, local cultures and heritage, camping, adventures and other eco-tourism activities. Meanwhile, Liew was pleased that the State Government has increased its budget allocation for her Ministry, which included the community-based tourism.“I am happy that there is an increase of allocation to my Ministry and part of it for the community-based tourism. This will further develop the rural tourism in the country,” she said. Source: Daily Express

Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50K

Kota Kinabalu: The fifth edition of the Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50,000 this year, said its race coordinator Jerry Ong. He said the challenge, a fundraising event at the historical Salt Trail at Crocker Range Park to be held on Oct 27, managed to raised RM35,837 last year. "The event, held in collaboration with Sabah Parks, Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS) and Pacos Trust, aims to generate funds to support the activities organised by Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter all year round for the people in the State," he told a press conference here, Wednesday. Traditionally, Ong said, the Salt Trail served as a route used by Tambunan folks to bring their produce to the tamu (markets) for barter trade. Salt was the most commonly traded product, resulting in the route being known as the Salt Trail. "The challenge promises a different experience altogether because it connects people with nature, as well as serve as a platform for participants to interact with the local community along the trail. "Trekkers and nature lovers would love this challenge." The challenge, themed "Trail of Hope", is divided into two categories – Men's Open and Women's Open, and each category is available in distances of 16 kilometres or 25 kilometres. The 16-kilometre challenge will cover the route to and from Inobong Substation to Pogigimpaan hut, while the 25-kilometre challenge will cover the route to and from Inobong Substation to Kampung Terian. "Participants interested to spend the night in Inobong Substation before the challenge begins can do so by contacting Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter office to arrange for accommodation," he said. Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahamood said the race can promote adventure tourism in the State. "I also urged corporate teams to not only contribute in terms of funds but also participate and experience the trail for themselves as Mercy Malaysia has been doing a great job here where they have good track record with the locals in the interior," he said. Meanwhile, Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter Chairman Dr Anbarasu Ramalingam said fundraising events such as the annual Salt Trail Challenge served to provide the financial support much needed by the Chapter to fund its activities. "Committed to serve the people of Sabah, Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter has been providing primary healthcare services for the communities since its establishment in 2003 in the State. "The Chapter has conducted more than 100 mobile outreach clinics as well as Disaster Relief Reduction (DRR) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) projects throughout Sabah," he said. He also disclosed that currently, there are about 200 active volunteers of the Chapter in the State. The public can contribute help to the Chapter by joining the challenge by paying the entry fee or raise funds using donation card which can be collected at the Chapter's office. All fees and donation cards should be submitted by Sept 28, and for more information contact the Chapter's office at 088-272 667 or Ivy (016-840 0208) or Edna (019-311 6182). - Ricardo Unto Source: Daily Express

Tag - Community

Community tourism rep to join overseas promos

Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50K