STB continues to promote rural tourism

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and Tourism Malaysia Central Region organized an engagement and B2B session in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote rural tourism within domestic market.

One hundred and fifty Central Region agents and three agents from Sabah, namely Mayflower Holidays (Kota Kinabalu), Borneo Wakid Adventure (Tambunan) and Myne Travel & Tours (Sandakan) as well as Central Region agents (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan) attended the session.

STB senior product manager Julinus Jeffrey Jimit presented new products on Sabah during the session focusing on rural tourism products located in the districts of Kiulu, Tenom, Kinabatangan, Tambunan, Ranau and Kota Belud.

All the districts are suitable for short stays. Visitors can selfdrive and book their stay at local homestays or small lodges and hotels. Tourism in each district is managed by its own Tourism District Council. Rural tourism has been in the works since 2014 for Sabah Tourism.

Agents that attended were pleased what Sabah has more to offer besides Kinabalu Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, River Cruise and Sipadan. These new products will create more varieties of products for the Central Region Agents to sell to their clients.

Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said, “This is the time to show the world what the rustic countryside in Sabah can offer in terms of tourism products.”

“STB will coordinate with TM Central Region to create packages on rural products to target all types of travellers,” he added.