Poverty alleviation through rural tourism development
Over the years, Sabah has seen a growing number of homestays and camping grounds cropping up, overlooking scenic views of rivers, nature and mountains in the rural areas.
Districts such as Kadamaian, Kiulu, Ranau, and Tambunan among others have become quaint destinations of choice for vacationers in search of the experience of living closer to nature.
Nature-based activities such as hiking, trekking, water rafting, and even extreme sporting events have also increased following its popularity among travel adventure enthusiasts.
Such eco-tourism potential has moved many rural villagers into taking the opportunity to generate income and create quality tourism products in line with the state government’s effort to develop rural tourism and elevate the people’s economic status.
Prior to 2014, rural tourism development was not fully implemented throughout Sabah until Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, in realising its potential, called on STB to look into the matter.
A Rural Tourism Product Unit was setup immediately to identify potential rural tourism products and to encourage involvement of village community as well as local author- ity. This followed by activating the Tourism Action Council in all districts throughout the state.
Small districts namely Kiulu in the Tuaran parliamentary constituency and Kadamaian in the Kota Belud parliamentary constituency were then chosen by STB management as two pioneer districts for rural tourism development.
“The effort taken to introduce and develop rural tourism for two years has resulted in the implementation of Visit Kiulu Month (April 2017) and Visit Kadamaian Month (May 2017).
“This 2017 visit month programme has significantly impacted the locals as the programme is able to promote the two districts locally and overseas. For example, the influx of tourist into Kiulu has provided direct profits to the villagers.
“In both Kadamaian and Kiulu, the ‘lung washing’ activities such as hiking and trekking have successfully attracted local tourists and those from China, South Korea, and Europe,” said Joniston.
This success has motivated villagers from other districts such as Tambunan, Kota Marudu, Tenom, Keningau, Kudat, and Ranau to follow the footsteps of implementing and developing rural tourism in their respective areas.
During the 2017 visit month, Kadamaian recorded 90,000 tourist arrivals with RM900,000 in tourism revenue while Kiulu received 53,000 tourists with RM4.3 million in tourism income.
Joniston hoped the target of 400,000 visitors and RM20 million tourism receipts could be generated through Sabah rural tourism, which comprises 25 districts, this year.
“For STB, we will continue to promote and market rural tourism products and implement a strategic plan. STB will also continue to work with district tourism action council (in 25 districts) to bring Sabah’s rural tourism to the international level by 2025,” he stressed.
As at January 2018, almost 98 per cent of District Tourism Action Council have been activated to bring tourism progress in rural districts throughout the state.