KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government is receptive to the proposal for the devolution of tourism licensing powers to Sabah.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said that her federal counterpart for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing was open to the idea to allow Sabah to issue the tourism licences.
She said Tiong had informed her that it was possible to devolve the licensing powers to Sabah as it had its own Sabah Tourism Board.
Liew said that the Minister felt that the Federal Tourism Ministry and STB could work together on the matters related to tourism.
The issue of the Federal Tourism Ministry's licences was raised by Liew during her meeting earlier this week with Tiong in Putrajaya.
Liew had highlighted the grouses aired by the Sabah Tourism Federation (STF) and Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta), Sabah Chapter on tourism matters and this included the long wait for the renewal of the tourist guide's licence.
On the issue of unlicensed Airbnb operators, Liew said that Tiong has advised relevant agencies under the state governments to formulate regulations governing the operations of Airbnb and present it to him for consideration.
Liew also urged the Federal Tourism Ministry to support the setting up of a new Sabah Cultural Centre that would showcase the traditions and heritage of all ethnic groups in Sabah.
She said the new centre could be one of the new products for the Visit Malaysia 2025.
"In fact, the development plan for this new tourism product was ready some time ago. It would be a great help if the federal government could provide an allocation to expedite commencement of the project," Liew added.
Among other issues, Liew urged Federal Tourism Ministry to help fund Sabah's tourism initiatives such as the proposed Night Safari Adventure at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and the construction of more lodging houses in the vicinity of Poring Hot Spring, a tourist attraction in the Ranau district.
Liew also said her ministry would be looking at the possibility of building additional resorts and chalets on some of the offshore islands that are increasingly popular with foreign and domestic tourists.
