Tourism engagement session on Dec 13
Published on: Friday, December 10, 2021
By: Ricardo Unto
Kota Kinabalu: The tourism sector needs special attention and a morale boost to return to its previous level or higher, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.He said his ministry and the agencies under it are committed to contribute towards the State’s economic growth, especially reviving the tourism sector post-pandemic.
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The ministry, he said, will make the best use of the 2022 allocation to restore the tourism sector, aside from strengthening and preserving the State’s culture and greenery.
The ministry received an allocation of RM131.93 million – RM113.35 million for supply and RM18.58 million for development, for 2022.
“To strengthen the tourism industry in this challenging era, my ministry through the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has formulated the ‘Roadmap to Recovery Plan 2021’ as an effort for the recovery and rejuvenation of the Sabah tourism industry,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly.
“This dynamic recovery plan is designed and prepared to help restore the State’s tourism landscape, in line with the Tourism Thrust in the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap.”
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STB, he said, will continue its marketing initiatives guided by four main components in the plan – regaining consumers’ trust, providing support to industry players, strengthening niche markets and rebuilding the halted air network.
“To ensure this recovery plan is relevant, STB will conduct an engagement session with local tourism industry players on Dec 13.
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“This engagement aims to create solid cooperation in drafting a comprehensive and holistic 2022 strategic plan,” he said.
In the efforts to attract high spending tourists, STB will strengthen the meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (Mice) sector by introducing a RM2 million incentive under the “Sabah, BE Here for you” programme.
“STB had also conducted three training sessions under the Human Capital Development Plan, targeting 60 participants from the Mice industry.
“The training was conducted by the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (Maceos) where the course is recognised by the Events Industry Council, an international body.”
The ministry, he said, would also enhance the existing tourism products and explore new potentials that can be developed.
“Rural tourism and community-based tourism (CoBT) will be the main focus, including upskilling and reskilling programmes to improve service quality,” he said.
On culture, Jafry said the ministry put much emphasis to ensure the State’s tangible and intangible cultures are preserved and turned into tourism attraction.
“Under the Integrated Cultural Tourism, the ministry will intensify cultural experience programmes in Sabah for visitors.
“The ministry will also launch the Kota Belud Ethnic Gallery and Cultural Pit Stop – Tawau Traditional Rickshaw to further boost cultural tourism activities in the areas.”
The ministry’s Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS) and Sabah Art Gallery will also collaborate with the Bajau Samah Association for the launching of the Bajau Samah Traditional House.
“The programme will be launched by the Chief Minister, who is also the Association’s president in 2022,” he said.
On environment, Sabah Parks is working on upgrading Kinabalu National Geopark Site to Kinabalu Global United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Geopark Site next year.
“The application, documentation and preparation for site assessment had been conducted this year.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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