Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Creative Folks Art and Industry Association (Seri) is stepping up efforts to revive rural tourism products across Sabah, focusing on ecotourism destinations at risk of being overlooked.
Its president Mariati Uttok said Tambunan was selected as the second stop under the association's rural tourism initiative through the four-day Sabah Open Nature Experience 2026, which began on July 16 at Widu Resort and Kawang-Kawang Canyon.
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She said the programme aims to promote lesser-known rural tourism products and support local communities by bringing together 30 participants from the tourism and creative industries, including content creators, tour operators and media personnel.
Tourism Malaysia sponsored the programme, while Tourism Malaysia Sabah Deputy Director Khairul Amir Anuar, local content creators and American travel influencer Terry Pernell attended the recent press conference.
Mariati said Seri plans to expand the initiative to six rural districts in support of the Visit Sabah 2027 campaign, with Mystical Bayu 2.0 2026 scheduled for Tungku, Lahad Datu, in November.
