Media personnel get first-hand experience of rural tourism in Kiulu, Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Some 50 media practitioners from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak experienced rural tourism first-hand at Kiulu, which is about an hour and 15 minutes' drive from here.

Joined by about 10 Sabah journalists, they enjoyed a day of white water rafting as well as traditional sports like walking on stilts, bowling using coconuts and using slingshots.

The event on Saturday (July 16) was part of the Goodwill Visit and Media Games three-day programme which started on Friday (July 15), involving representatives from the National Press Club (NPC), Northern Sarawak Journalists Association and Penang Press Club.

Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Kiulu assemblyman, said other states have previously come over to Sabah to see the state's rural tourism initiatives.

Joniston, who first mooted rural tourism back in 2014, said it had developed rapidly in Sabah, where it is mostly community-based.

He said besides generating tourism receipts, it also helped locals find an alternative source of income through eco-tourism activities.

"At the same time, the community now knows the need to keep the environment, like the rivers, clean.

"Kiulu and Kadamaian (Kota Belud) are the pioneers of rural tourism marketing in Sabah, and we hope to replicate their success in every district," he added.

He said its success was not only due to Sabah Tourism Board's efforts but the involvement of local communities as well.

At present, there are 60 rural tourism products in Kiulu and over 300 statewide.