Ministry to activate Tourism Action Council in 26 districts
KOTA KINABALU: The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry is aiming to activate the Tourism Action Council in all 26 districts in Sabah by the next Community-Based Tourism Roadshow 2019.
Announcing this at the launch of this year's roadshow at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall here yesterday, its minister, Datuk Christina Liew, said the number of participants for the event had already seen a four-fold increase from four to 16 participants.
“Whether you are from the West Coast, Interior or the East Coast Division, you know that the people of Sabah are blessed with a tourism product at every nook and cranny. Most of the districts in Sabah has a Tourism Action Council that has been set up with the assistance of Sabah Tourism Board (STB), under my ministry.
“Each Tourism Action Council is responsible for identifying and developing its products for the benefit of its own district and people,” she said when officiating at the Community-based Tourism Roadshow at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall here yesterday.
“This is good. My ministry cannot do everything but with a good structure and system in place, couple with hard work, all organizations and bodies related to the tourism industry can economically benefit every person in Sabah.
“The Community-based Tourism initiative can and will enhance all districts and towns into business entities that can contribute to the state's economy. We want to be known as the Malaysian state that has figured it all out, in terms of tourism,” she added.
Christina noted the participating districts of the event initiated their own Communitybased Tourism initiatives with the help of STB.
“Government spending was minimal on developing this initiative, which shows the will power of the communities towards setting the course of their future. In order for other districts to also start their own tourism community, commitments from the elected representatives are needed to look into their community empowerment via the setting up of the District Tourism Action Council,” she said.
“By the next roadshow in 2019, our aim is to announce that there is a Tourism Action Council activated in all 26 districts in Sabah
“The state government can provide the necessary infrastructure to all districts especially better road conditions, electricity and clean water to make the visiting experience more comfortable. The government is also looking at improving the Internet connection in the entire state so that there will be seamless online network connecting us and the world,” added Christina.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Assafal P Alian, Assistant Health and People's Wellbeing Minister Norazlinah Arif, Tourism, Culture and Environment permanent secretary Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Sabah Tourism Board general manager Suzaini Sabdin Ghani, Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, MATTA Malaysia president Datuk K L Tan and Suria Sabah Shopping Mall managing director Humprey Tan were also present at the ceremony.