KDCA’s Koisaan Cultural Village gets recognition
Published on: Sunday, December 15, 2019
By: Anthea Peter
KOTA KINABALU: The Kadazandusun Cultural Association’s (KDCA) Koisaan Cultural Village (KCV) has received the prestigious Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance (MyTQA) certification from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
Sabah Tourism Boards General Manager Noreda Othman, who announced this, said KCV is the second travel product in Sabah to be awarded the MyTQA recognition, after Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
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“The certification was established with the aim of improving the services and quality of tourism products in the country.
“It gives exposure to tourism industry players so they will prioritise the quality of services provided,” she said when officiating the inaugural Sabah Food Festival (SFF) at KCV, here, Saturday.
Additionally, travel products with MyTQA rating will enjoy the privilege of promoting tourism products with Tourism Malaysia.
Sabah Tourism Board regarded the MyTQA awarded to KCV as merited and well-deserved.
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“The award given to the KDCA’s Koisaan Cultural Village is very accurate and thoughtfully considered.
“It has met all of the highest quality standards as well as international standards to qualify for the certification, while also meeting the needs of domestic and international tourists,” Noredah said.
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On the SFF themed “Eat, Enjoy and Learn”, Huguan Siou Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan said it is instrumental in preserving the traditions and culture of the Kadazandusun.
“Cultural traditions exhibited through dance and music will also be performed during this festival as part of the programme.
“There are also activities relating to documentation and research on the rich tapestry of our tradition.”
He emphasised the importance of preserving the Kadazandusun’s background, history, folklore and literary works, including documentation and research on priestesses (bobolians) as well as traditional medicine, food and beverages.
“All these, if nothing is done to preserve and record, take pictures and write about, they will just disappear into the mist of the time. We are fortunate during this four-day event, those who are interested can learn about our culture and village traditions,” he said in his speech.
The four-day festival is hosted by the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), Homestay Sabah and Hostastay Berhad from Dec 13-16.
Noredah said the festival aimed to promote KDCA as an integrating bridge for various ethnic communities in Sabah and to highlight unique ethnic foods of the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Rungus, Bajau, China, Brunei and Indonesia tribes, among others.
Some 55 food-selling booths and 30 stalls for pre-loved items were set up throughout the event, offering a wide range of food and drink items, from halal to traditional, exotic and western delicacies.
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