KIULU: Digital data collection for tourism, particularly in Sabah’s rural areas, has become a crucial foundation for enabling more strategic and effective planning in the sector.
Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the initiative goes beyond upgrading record-keeping methods, it opens new opportunities to better understand rural tourism patterns.
“Accurate data is essential to see the true reality of community-based tourism and ensure every tourist visit to Sabah’s rural areas is recorded precisely and systematically,” he said after officiating the closing ceremony of the sixth Kiulu Adventure Challenge (KAC) at the Kiulu Town Open Hall, here, Sunday.
He said the pilot project’s success in Kiulu shows how technology can transform rural tourism management and could be expanded to other districts across Sabah.
“The data digitalisation project helps us identify areas needing attention and investment to develop rural tourism.
“This strategic collaboration between the Sabah Tourism Board and Kiulu Tourism Association enables deeper understanding of tourist patterns and enhances future promotion strategies and planning,” he said.
Joniston, who is Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, said the KAC is more than just an adventure sports event, adding that it serves as a catalyst for rural tourism development gaining international recognition.
“Kiulu has long been recognised as a model for community-based tourism, with international partnerships including collaboration with Taiwan’s Nanhua University on agro-tourism and visits from the United Nations Development Programme to observe community tourism efforts here,” he said.
The event aligns with Sabah’s preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, focusing on three key aspects, namely, Culture, Adventure and Nature, under the tagline ‘Explore Sabah’.
The KAC combines mountain biking, trail running and water rafting, playing a vital role in promoting Kiulu’s natural beauty whilst engaging local communities and creating opportunities for rural empowerment and tourism development.
Over 700 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and Brunei took part, elevating Kiulu as a premier destination for adventure, cultural and sports tourism in Sabah.
