Papar association to keep promoting safe tourism
Published on: Friday, December 20, 2019
By: Jeremy S Zabala
PAPAR: The Papar Tourism Association (Pata) will continue to carry out programmes that are not only aimed at promoting the existing and newly established eco-tourism centres in the district but also to emphasise safety in each of the attraction spots.
With accidents occurring in tourism spots, Pata President Johnny Sitamin said it is vital to emphasise and implement safety in eco-tourism centres to give a good impression to visitors, which will then help enhance the industry in the district.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said the safety programmes would be carried out, if not centralised, in the respective areas where eco-tourism centres are established to ensure that safety practices are implemented by industry players in the district.
“For the remaining of this year, we will focus on safety programmes and hopefully we will be able to visit several locations that needs observation and monitoring in that aspect.
“There a new eco-tourism centre that was established in Kg Benoni which will need our (Pata) help and advice. So Pata along with Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will monitor the situation and help in terms of improvement that can be carried out for that place,” he told Daily Express at the Eco-tourism Safety Awareness Programme, here, recently.
Aside from that, Johnny assured that Pata will carry out its role as a platform for the local eco-tourism centres to promote tourism destinations in the district.
ADVERTISEMENT
Due to the “inactivity” since its establishment two years ago, he said the association has been “adapting” by getting to know existing tourism centres in Papar as well as those who are new in the industry.
He also said that being able to create a strong relationship between Pata and these industry players would also ensure that relevant discussions can be carried out as well as channeling of necessary help and aids.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Our objective is to introduce tourism centres in Papar. Aside from that, we will also help the players to have a healthy competition among them to ensure that they are united with one another,” he added.
He said that Pata will not only work closely with STB but also with the district council especially with the association’s plan in establishing a Tourism Information Centre.
“We have planned several activities especially for the tourism operators such as a mini carnival in Papar that will need the collaboration of all players.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
“We also hope that by next year the Papar District Council will approve our request for the of establishment of a tourism information centre as an outlet to provide information to tourists and visitors,” he added.
At the programme, talks such as Occupation Safety and Health Act 1994 Compliance in Tourism Sector, Risks Assessment Management System (RAMS) Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) preparation in tourism activity were delivered by trainers.