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BELURAN: Situated about 110km from Sandakan or around five hours by car from Kota Kinabalu, the district is showing strong potential as rural tourism destination in Sabah.

The Beluran District Tourism Association (Persatuan Pelancongan Daerah Beluran), which was established in 2019 has been leading efforts to develop the area’s tourism, focusing on nature-based experiences, cultural heritage, and community involvement.

The association’s secretary, Erlyane Joan, said one of their key initiatives involves training local communities to take part in tourism activities.

The most recent course, dubbed “Tourism Package Development: Pricing Strategies and Digital Marketing”, aimed to equip participants with practical skills to develop tourism products such as homestays, campsites, handicrafts, and traditional food experiences.

“We are collaborating with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), which has been extremely supportive in terms of promotion,” said Erlyane.

“This course is helping local people to create competitive, attractive tourism packages and to make better use of online platforms to market them. Participants learned how to set pricing, create itineraries, and promote products on social media, with a chance to present their ideas and projects.”

Nature sites like Mandagu Waterfall, Pulau Gosong, and Sam Manan Cave offer stunning scenery but remain difficult to reach because only accessible by boat.

“One of the biggest challenges is the lack of proper, safe jetties for tourists. The existing ones are outdated, and we don’t yet have our own boats. Getting around is also a challenge for locals, not just visitors,” explained Erlyane.

These infrastructure gaps must be addressed before Beluran can receive tourists on a larger scale.

In addition to nature attractions, Beluran also features historical sites such as the “Kawat Maut” trail in Sungai Muanad, Kampung Rampek. It is believed to have been one of the key routes during the Japanese occupation of Borneo’s Death March, which saw 2,600 Australian and British troops forced to march from Sandakan to Ranau where only six survived. 

“We see visitors coming to the monument every year, but no data can be recorded as there is currently no official management system in place. 

“The association is now working to upgrade the site and develop a more structured system for guided tours,” she said adding that the first group of 30 international visitors will officially visit the site on Oct 30, marking a significant step in the district’s efforts to manage tourist flows.

Erlyane hopes these initiatives will help foster sustainable tourism in Beluran, creating new opportunities for the local community and boosting the district’s economy. 

“Beluran has the same potential as other established tourism areas in Sabah. With more support especially in infrastructure, promotion, and management, we can definitely grow to that level,” she said.

Earlier, a total of 25 participants, consisting of tourism activists, community representatives, and local entrepreneurs, took part in the Tourism Package Development course. 

The course was officiated by Beluran’s Assistant District Development Officer, Gilbert Jussip. Also present were the advisor to the Beluran District Tourism Association, Datuk Tan Yong Gee; its chairman, Ricky Tan; and a representative from the STB, Dexter Randy.