Sabah rural tourism revenue up
Published on: Wed, May 07, 2025
By: R Gonzales Text Size: Hajiji (centre) did a gimmick launching of Kaamatan Festival at Tuaran district level 2025, flanked by his wife Datin Seri Juliah Salag (second right), Jahid (second left), Joniston (left) and Jasnih (right), at a community hall in Kiulu. KIULU: Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) initiatives involving 18 active districts contributed RM7 million revenue in 2024, up from RM6.7 million in 2023, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said. The Kiulu state constituency is one of the rural areas contributing to the State's revenue and has emerged as a key pioneer in the development of CoBT. 'Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative, and state revenue from CoBT has increased. 'Therefore, I want to see CoBT actively developed due to its potential to expand and stimulate the economy in rural areas of the State,' he said, when opening the 2025 Tuaran District Kaamatan Festival at the Kiulu Community Hall, Tuesday. Present were State Rural Development Minister cum Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim, State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jonistoin Bangkuai cum Kiulu Assemblyman and Pantai Dalit Assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya. Hajiji added that Sabah recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals early this year, which is about 26 per cent of the total target of 3.5 million visitors for 2025. 'I am confident this target is not only achievable but can even exceed, just like in 2024 when we welcomed 3.2 million visitors — surpassing the original goal of 3 million,' he said. He emphasised the need to improve rural infrastructure as a foundation to support the growth of both tourism and agriculture. He said good infrastructure not only brings comfort to the local population but also serves as a key attraction for both domestic and international tourists. Hajiji called on the people to continue supporting the government's efforts to strengthen state development, particularly through the tourism sector, which serves as a major economic driver for Sabah. 'The well-being of the people is always our top priority. Sustainable development and economic growth are essential to ensuring lasting prosperity and welfare for the state,' he said. He also congratulated four CoBT associations in the State that signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four universities and a tourism association from Taiwan, including the Kiulu Tourism Association. The other three CoBT groups involved were the Tambunan Tourism Association, the Sabah Coffee Entrepreneurs Association, and the Tambatuon Village Women's Community Association in Kadamaian, Kota Belud. Hajiji said these collaborations are expected to bring major benefits in knowledge transfer and community tourism empowerment. 'The Kiulu sub-district should fully capitalize on its potential in tourism and agriculture as key economic drivers, especially as it is home to some of the most active CoBT operators in the State. 'The first-ever Community-Based Tourism Conference will be organised this June in Kota Kinabalu by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board as a strategic move to further strengthen Sabah's tourism sector,' he added. At the event, the Chief Minister also approved an allocation of RM1.1 million for development projects in Kiulu. These include the construction of a parking facility, a new road to Kampung Kitapol and a gravity-fed water supply system in Kg Lopot. 'Kiulu must continue to be developed, and the people's aspirations for ongoing progress and well-being must be supported and fulfilled,' he said. Hajiji also announced that the Kiulu Community Hall has been officially renamed the OKK Rampas Community Hall. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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