Sabah identifies 133 rural tourism products in poorest districts
KOTA KINABALU: Not even the most remote village in Sabah would be excluded from initiatives to use tourism to enhance the livelihood of the rural poor, said Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
To date, STB has catalogued 133 rural tourism products across the 10 poorest districts in Sabah, encompassing community-based tourism, homestays and privately owned ventures.
The districts are Tongod (six products), Beluran (two), Pitas (five), Kinabatangan (six), Kota Marudu (20), Tuaran (38), Ranau (35) and Lahad Datu (12), which were highlighted by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli in the recent Dewan Rakyat sitting as poverty-stricken areas based on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022 report.
Two others are Nabawan (three products) and Telupid (six), which were listed in the Statistics Department’s Poverty Index 2022 report.
Joniston, who is also the Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, highlighted the vital role of tourism in driving economic recovery within these districts.
“The STB’s product division is tasked to identify potential rural tourism products and provide essential aid to local communities to grow in tourism,” he said.
He expressed hope to meet with Rafizi to present tourismrelated initiatives, emphasising the need for cohesive efforts to uplift Sabah from the poverty line.
“I believe it’s crucial to involve the Federal Ministry of Economy in our endeavours as this will enable them to understand better how they can support Sabah’s journey out of poverty.
“We firmly believe that tourism is a cornerstone in empowering rural communities and fostering economic growth.
“As most rural folks are farmers, we also see great potential in translating agricultural activities into agro-tourism experiences,” he added.
The development of tourism products focusing on the poorest districts was brought up during STB’s Product Rural Tourism Committee meeting.
The discussion focused on plans to enhance tourism activities to yield concrete results.
Among the 133 rural tourism attractions, Sabah Tourism’s product team have listed several established products in all 10 districts, which, among others, include:
Tinopikon Langkabon EcoTourism, Kg Kulat Tagal EcoTourism, Kg Totomolon Tagal Eco-Tourism, and Chinese Heritage House Kuala Tongod in Tongod; Sugut Conservation Area and (Death March Trail) Tangkol Crossing Monument Kg Muanad in Beluran; Supirak Island, Piniapat Hill, Pitas Floating Coral Bar, and Kem Cinta Alam Paitan in Pitas; as well as Miso Walai Homestay, Suan Lamba Kg. Lanut, and Bilit Homestay in Kinabatangan.
Among Kota Marudu’s established tourism products include Walai Tobilung Kg Minansad, Sorinsim Sub Station, Kokobuan waterfall Eco-Tourism Kg Gana, Liogu Noruod Kg Sungoi, Togudon Geo Tourism Kg Togudon, Liogu Stamping Kg Marak Park, and Mt Cochrane Kg Kirangawan.
Some of Tuaran-Tamparuli products are the Mantaranau Jungle Track & Recreation, Kokobuan Trig Hill & Eco Tourism, Murug-Turug EcoTourism, Mara Kara Hill & EcoTourism Koperasi Pelancongan Kg Tiong Simpodon, Monggiland Eco-Tourism, and Bundu Tohuri Forest Adventure Park.
As for Tuaran-Kiulu, some established products are identified as Moninduk Sirung Kg Tiong Temburong, Kaliposuan Recreation View, Mitabang Homestay, Dapako Hill Lingga Eco-Tourism, Pusat Rekreasi Bambangan Lama, Tongkoluson Campsite, Kiulu Farmstay, Kampung Stay Tombung, Sinorut Eco-Tourism, Lambing Park Eco-Tourism, Tukad Gonipis Sandangau, Pomompuhunyan Sinompuruan Campsite, Sinansag Eco-Tourism, Lubok Riverside Campsite and Recreation Centre, Lokub EcoTourism, Ratau Eco-Tourism, Poturidong River and Nature Hike, Tagahas Cultural Group Pukak Village, and Talantang Eco-Tourism.
Ranau has established Tagal Luanti, Tagal Nalapak, Tukad Gonipis Kg. Tudan, Bombon Marakau, Lugas Hill Eco-Tourism, Tiang Lama Eco-Tourism, Lugas Hill, Tinagas Cultural Centre Kg Sinurai, Tagal Thinkoyodon Malinsau Darat, Wasai Gondou Eco-Tourism Kg Tinindoi, Batu Payung Campsite, Kg Mangkapoh Handicraft Centre, Meridi Eco-Tourism, and Trigona Eraros Farm.
In Lahad Datu, established products are Pulau Buta EcoTourism, W Bay Payang, Inap Desa Sri Payung, Borneo Paradise, Irunji Agro Tourism, Segama ATV & Village Stay, Serebpit EcoTourism Adventure, Tambisan Island Lodge, Segangan Magrove, Bukit Belacon, Bukit Tapadung and Merabung Waterfall.
Sabah Tourism identified Batu Punggul, Tahaa Tininting Kg Salinatan Pensiangan, and Balaron Eco-Tourism as established products in Nabawan; while Bakong-Bakong Eco-Tourism and Tingkoyodon Gaab Waterfall are established attractions available in Telupid.