SUKAU: Kinabatangan Umno Youth urged tourism players in the State, particularly in Kinabatangan, to come up with new ways to produce tourism products so that Sabah remains a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Its Chief Mohd Kurniawan Naim Bung Moktar said the move was required to prepare the Sabah tourism industry for large-scale tourists who could undoubtedly improve the State’s economy and people through the tourism sector, which is one of the State’s key sources of revenue.
“The tourism industry is the second most important economic resource in Sabah. Kinabatangan offers potential for tourism, including activities like seeing fireflies along the Kinabatangan River and experiencing local culture.
In addition, many additional tourism items can be looked into, such as organising sports events like boat racing,” he said, when officiating the 15-horsepower Boat Racing Competition in Kg Abai Sukau.
The programme was co-organised by the N59 Sukau Assemblyman’s Office, Kg Abai Youth, and Kinabatangan Umno Division.
According to Mohd Kurniawan, a member of Malaysian Tourism’s Board of Directors, the boat race competition could be expanded in the future by allowing overseas participants.
“To move forward we need to host a bigger event by collaborating with other parties to encourage the participation of more participants and this can at the same time invite the presence of tourists to attend the event that we organise in addition to seeing the beauty of nature and flora in this area,” he added.
At the same time, Mohd Kurniawan, who is also the Umno Youth Treasurer, said the community in the area must provide other tourism products, such as food, as well as participate in the homestay sector, where there is a need for accommodation for tourists who wish to spend the night.
Mohd Kurniawan also urged the government to enhance the district’s basic utilities, particularly road infrastructure, water and electricity supply.
“These basic facilities are important to generate the tourism sector to thrive in this district. Tourists will not come if our roads are damaged and difficult to access and water and electricity supply is unstable,” he said.
