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TAWAU: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment is committed to strengthening Tawau Hill Park (TBT) as a sustainable Green Community Destination that is visitor-friendly and highly attractive, in line with the state’s nature-based tourism agenda.

Its Minister, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, said the main focus of the development is upgrading infrastructure to enhance visitor comfort, safety, and overall experience.

He said the efforts include improving family recreation and rest areas, as well as introducing more informative and interactive environmental interpretation elements.

“These facility upgrades will ensure Tawau Hill Park becomes a comfortable, safe, and inclusive green recreational space, while also attracting more domestic and international visitors,” he said in a media statement on Wednesday.

Jafry added that the development is also expected to bring economic benefits to the local community through business and employment opportunities, while strengthening Tawau’s position as a progressive green tourism destination.

At the same time, he stressed that all initiatives will be carried out responsibly and in line with sustainability principles, without compromising the natural environment.

Tawau Hill Park is one of the district’s key nature-based recreational areas and has great potential to be further developed as an eco-tourism product.

Meanwhile, tourism industry players in this district need to enhance creativity and strengthen collaboration among themselves to ensure that Tawau’s tourism products can be marketed more effectively.

Jafry said Tawau is not short of attractive destinations and is capable of offering good tourism packages for both domestic and international visitors.

However, he noted that one of the main issues that must be addressed is the lack of cooperation among industry players in marketing tourism products in a more integrated and creative manner.

“It is important to be more proactive in seizing incentives and assistance offered by the government through the ministry and related agencies, including matters involving licensing,” he urged relevant parties. 

“I firmly believe that the issues arising can be resolved through close relations and strong cooperation between industry players and the government,” he said to the media after attending an engagement session with Tawau tourism industry players at a leading hotel here, on Wednesday night.

Also present were Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Sainal; Lembaga Penggalakkan Pelancongan Malaysia (Tourism Malaysia) Director Haryanty Abu Bakar and Majlis Perbandaran Tawau (MPT) President Joseph Pang.

He said the State Government, through his ministry, will continue strengthening efforts to empower the tourism sector in the district through such engagement sessions involving industry players, government agencies and Tourism Malaysia.

“This session was held to directly hear grievances, issues and views from local tourism industry players, particularly in this district,” he said.

Regarding the economic potential arising from the Simanggaris–Serudong border road construction project, Jafry stated that the project is funded by the federal government, and industry players should take the opportunity to develop the hotel and homestay sectors in preparation.

“I am confident that Tawau is a district with tremendous potential. We are not only looking at tourists from abroad such as China or other countries; local operators should also leverage Tawau’s strategic location near the Indonesian border,” he said.

He added that as a responsible government, it will seriously consider the importance of the road as a Malaysia–Indonesia border link to ensure a good transportation system and infrastructure.

On issues involving accidents related to tourist transportation, Jafry said the ministry views the matter seriously as it directly affects the image of the industry, and a special task force will be established to address the issue.

At the same time, he advised tourists to obtain travel insurance as a precautionary measure, as unforeseen incidents may occur whether on land or at sea.