THE allocation to promote Sabah as a tourism destination at the national and international level for this year is RM11.355 million, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
“This provision includes promotion and marketing in and outside the country, including for business events,” she said in response to Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob’s question in her winding-up speech, at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, recently.
Meanwhile, to support the physical development of rural tourism, in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Ministry has allocated RM6 million this year under the Rural Tourism Development Programme.
“This allocation involves upgrading and improving spots often visited by tourists and areas run by the local community, including Community Based Tourism (CoBT).
“Apart from the allocation under the 12MP, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has also allocated RM1.25 million to 27 district tourism associations for product support assistance this year.”
To a question by Tanjung Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon, Liew said STB promotes Sandakan as a tourist destination that tourists should explore, especially in the international market.
“Even Sandakan is known and promoted as the “Gateway to Nature and Wildlife”.
“In addition, Sandakan has also been promoted to the high-end market in the US and Europe through high-prestige companies such as National Geographic and Abercrombie & Kent.
“These high-profile tourists are flown in private jets to explore various countries worldwide, and Sandakan is the chosen destination for their stopover in Malaysia,” she said.
In addition, STB has produced a database in the form of a leaflet called “Things to Do in the Districts of Sabah”, where information about tourist places, tourism products, community-based tourism places and historical places throughout districts in Sabah is recorded, including Sandakan.
“The STB website also displays information on tourism and events held in all districts in Sabah, including events at the Sandakan Memorial Park.”
Regarding the problem of monkey disturbance in the Sandakan district and how to mitigate the crocodile conflict, which was raised by Gum-Gum assemblyman Arunarnsin Taib, Liew said the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) has installed traps to reduce the monkey population and established a monkey control team in the area involved.
She disclosed, the number of monkeys caught and transferred from January 2022 until April 2023 in Sandakan is 57.
“In addition, SWD is drafting a Monkey Management Plan in Sabah for actions to manage the problem monkey population not only for Sandakan but for the whole of Sabah.
“Integrated actions have also been implemented to reduce the crocodile population in areas with a high risk of crocodile attacks and conflict.
“Signage for high-risk areas were also installed to warn the public about the presence of crocodiles.
“An awareness programme about activities not recommended in the area is also carried out with residents living near the risk area through pamphlet distribution and client meeting sessions,” she said.
