Four Sabah areas offer ‘lung-washing’ tourism
KOTA KINABALU: Kiulu, Ranau, Kadamaian and Tambunan are the four rural areas in Sabah offering “lungwashing” product.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the newly introduced product had the potential to attract local and foreign tourists, especially those who come from large cities.
“I am sure they will find these districts perfect in terms of getting some good air to breathe and enjoy the greenery and landscape, some of which are mountainous.
“We would like to see these four districts developed into ecobased tourism attractions with the right balance that provides an authentic look and feel,” Musa said at the launch of Sabah Rural Tourism Roadshow at Imago Shopping Mall yesterday.
He added that the government acknowledged this initiative as a means to increase the livelihood of communities living in the rural areas.
“With tourism providing a boost, communities can look beyond traditional methods of earning a living, such as farming.
“This does not mean that they give up their ways of life, but it does provide them with an opportunity to have an alternative income.
“With the right guidance and community level leadership, tourism could sustain lives and even lead to a paradigm shift in their thinking and in participating in government initiated policies on tourism,” Musa said.
“It is hoped that the rural communities will start to think of tourism and learn more about the service industry leading to them having a vision, being more innovative and competitive. This is how we make ourselves better.
“There are many opportunities the communities can take up such as in operating lodges, tour guiding, acting as naturalists and in marketing and promotions,” he said.
Musa stressed that the government was committed to providing the necessary infrastructure in rural areas, such as better road conditions for easier access and to make the drive comfortable and safe and within the shortest time.
He said the State Government would also like to see empowerment of young people from rural communities through venturing into the vibrant tourism sector.
“We have seen the success of rural tourism in other countries and on our part we are committed to seeing rural tourism taking off in Sabah.
“We have skills centres and other institutes of higher education that are both tourism and non-tourism related that could spur tourism in rural areas.
“It is indeed critical to have a knowledgeable and competent work force to spur this sector and to encourage entrepreneurship so that the relevant products can be put on offer in rural districts,” said Musa.
In order for these four and other areas to start promoting their tourism products, Musa said a commitment was needed from a wide range of stakeholders, including elected representatives.
He said the district tourism action council was one platform that could be used to brainstorm, plan, formulate and carry out activities that would appeal to tourists.
He said those who are already in the tourism sector must also be willing to receive new information and training so that they do not lose out, or miss out from what tourism in fast-paced world has to offer.
It would also be good to engage with those who have been in the sector for a long time and to identify experts from various fields to assist with capacity building.
“I am pleased with the yearly tourism industry performance in Sabah. Despite challenges that we have faced, including security related, last year tourism generated an estimated RM7.2 billion receipts to Sabah’s economy.
“The State Government will work with investors in providing tourism related facilities and properties to further market Sabah. Our emphasis on tourism is also in line with the state development agenda, Sabah Development Corridor and Economic Transformation Programme,” he said.
Also present at the event yesterday were Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Minister of Rural Development Datuk Radin Maleh, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Kamarlin Ombi and chairman of Sabah Tourism Board Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.