KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's rural community-based tourism (CoBT) development has become a role model and source of inspiration for other states to emulate.
For example, the Terengganu Tourism Department recently sampled some of the products in the Kiulu countryside to learn first-hand how CoBT was carried out there.
Led by its director, Fadli Yusof Zakaria, the entourage from the department visited the riverside Kampung Lingga to learn how villagers manage the Dapako Hill hiking trail and Camping Lingga Eco Tourism site.
They also toured the riverside Kampung Bambangan Lama Recreation Centre, wholly run and built by a group of the village's women, which features huts for lodging, a campsite and hiking trail.
The visitors were briefed by the Kiulu Tourism Association (KTA) on the history of Kiulu's tourism and the sector's economic benefits to villagers as a second source of income.
"This visit provided us with insight into a more orderly and systematic structure for CoBT with involvement of the entire local community, which makes rural community tourism in Kiulu outstanding," said Fadli.
The entourage from Terengganu was impressed to see collaboration between CoBT operators and tourism associations for promotions and organising various community events.
Fadli believed Terengganu could also develop the state's potential in CoBT similar to Sabah and make it into a new product offering unique and exciting tourism experiences.
"Sabah has made more progress in CoBT implementation since it began in 2014. So, we hope the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) could assist Terengganu Tourism in developing our CoBT products.
"The CoBT products in Terengganu have their uniqueness, as are those in Sabah. We feel that STB and Terengganu Tourism can collaborate on several things, particularly in terms of promotion, "he said.
In Terengganu, the tourism department only began focusing on the CoBT segment last year and has identified 28 potential CoBT in eight districts, 15 of which are ready to be marketed.
Among them are Dataran Batu Putih in Marang and Kalang Warisan in Kuala Terengganu.
Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said both Sabah and Terengganu could learn from one another on how to elevate the tourism industry to attract more visitors.
"We are pleased to see Terengganu taking Sabah as inspiration in their initiative to develop CoBT products and empower their rural communities.
"With the recent launching of a new direct flight between Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Terengganu, it is even more necessary for both states to work together to realise their respective tourism goals.
"As part of our efforts to equip CoBT operators with the necessary skills, I believe STB and Terengganu Tourism can collaborate to encourage CoBT operators to visit one another, as such will allow them to build connections and exchange knowledge as well as experience, "he said.
Joniston said the new AirAsia direct route would be a boon to travellers and tourism industry players in both states as it facilitated connectivity.
Meanwhile, KTA president Mejin Maginggow said Terengganu Tourism was excited and interested to see how the Sabah communities work together to attract tourists to their areas.
"The director of Terengganu Tourism stated during the visit that they gained expertise and learned how the community in Kiulu operates a tourism industry and earns a profit.
"This is something new for them, and they've obtained a lot of fresh ideas they can share with the (tourism) operators in Terengganu, who are primarily private business owners.
"The group also gained an understanding of how to establish a robust CoBT capable of generating revenue in Terengganu in the future," he said, adding KTA was open to sharing its CoBT expertise with rural communities in other states.