KOTA KINABALU: Remote villages in Sabah will not be excluded from tourism initiatives to improve the livelihood of the rural poor, said Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
The board has recorded 133 rural tourism products in the 10 poorest districts in Sabah, involving community-based tourism, homestays and privately owned ventures.
Tongod has six products, Beluran has two, Pitas has five, Kinabatangan has six, Kota Marudu has 20, Tuaran has 38, Ranau has 35 and Lahad Datu has 12.
In a recent Dewan Rakyat sitting, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli highlighted these districts as among the poorest based on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022 report.
Two other districts are Nabawan, with three products, and Telupid, with six products, which were listed in the Statistics Department's Poverty Index 2022 report.
Bangkuai, who is also the state's assistant tourism, culture and environment minister, said tourism was vital in driving economic recovery in these districts.
"The Sabah Tourism Board's product division has been tasked with identifying potential rural tourism products and providing essential aid to local communities to grow in tourism."
He said he hoped to meet Rafizi to present tourism-related initiatives, emphasising the need for cohesive efforts to uplift Sabah from poverty.
"It's crucial to involve the Economy Ministry in our plans to allow it to understand better how it 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 see great potential in turning agricultural activities into agro-tourism."
Developing tourism products with a focus on the poorest districts was brought up during the Sabah Tourism Board's Rural Tourism Product Committee meeting.
The discussion focused on plans to enhance tourism to yield concrete results.
The Sabah Tourism Board highlighted some attractions in the state:
TONGOD: Tinopikon Langkabon Eco-Tourism, Kampung Kulat Tagal Eco-Tourism, Kampung Totomolon Tagal Eco-Tourism and Chinese Heritage House Kuala Tongod.
BELURAN: Sugut Conservation Area and Tangkol Crossing Memorial in Kampung Muanad.
PITAS: Supirak Island, Piniapat Hill, Pitas Floating Coral Bar and Kem Cinta Alam Paitan.
KINABATANGAN: Miso Walai Homestay, Suan Lamba Kampung Lanut and Bilit Homestay.
KOTA MARUDU: Walai Tobilung Kampung Minansad, Sorinsim Sub Station, Kokobuan Waterfall Eco-Tourism in Kampung Gana, Liogu Noruod Kampung Sungoi, Togudon Geo Tourism Kampung Togudon, Liogu Stamping Kampung Marak Park and Mount Cochrane Kampung Kirangawan.
TUARAN-TAMPARULI: Mantaranau Jungle Track and Recreation, Kokobuan Trig Hill and Eco Tourism, Murug-Turug Eco-Tourism, Mara Kara Hill and Eco-Tourism, Koperasi Pelancongan Kampung Tiong Simpodon, Monggiland Eco-Tourism and Bundu Tohuri Forest Adventure Park.
TUARAN-KIULU: Moninduk Sirung Kampung 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 Eco-Tourism, Ratau Eco-Tourism, Poturidong River and Nature Hike, Tagahas Cultural Group Pukak Village, and Talantang Eco-Tourism.
RANAU: Tagal Luanti, Tagal Nalapak, Tukad Gonipis Kampung Tudan, Bombon Marakau, Lugas Hill Eco-Tourism, Tiang Lama Eco-Tourism, Lugas Hill, Tinagas Cultural Centre Kampung Sinurai, Tagal Thinkoyodon Malinsau Darat and Wasai Gondou Eco Tourism.