KOTA KINABALU: Food hygiene and cleanliness of public facilities – especially toilets – are among the top priorities for tourism growth in Sabah, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Acknowledging Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming’s warning that businesses failing to bring their toilet cleanliness up to par may lose their licenses, he said efforts are already in place to address this matter in the state.
Bangkuai, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, said that with Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching, the state had to make sure that it remains a top choice for local and foreign visitors.
"And that includes putting hygiene at a higher level, including cleanliness of toilets," he said after launching the Kota Kinabalu Food Trail at a hotel here on Monday (Oct 13).
He said it was not just about health but the state’s image as a whole, with local authorities in Sabah already taking steps to boost cleanliness.
The unappealing conditions in parts of Sabah have become a hot topic following a travel vlogger's video complaining about his recent trip to Semporna.
At Monday's event, Bangkuai witnessed the presentation of plaques to 29 city eateries selected to be part of a pioneer project to draw up a culinary guide for visitors to Sabah.
STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit said the plaque serves as official recognition that the establishment is part of the Kota Kinabalu Food Trail and is recommended as a must-visit for tourists.
"The Kota Kinabalu Food Trail is part of STB’s effort to promote gastronomy tourism and diversify Sabah’s tourism offerings.
"We’re known for promoting culture, adventure and nature, and now we’re moving forward to highlight food as part of that experience," he said.
Julinus said gastronomy tourism allowed STB to share Sabah’s story through flavours, people and local ingredients, giving visitors more ways to connect with the destination through food.
He said that by creating a curated list of recommended restaurants, STB hopes to help visitors navigate and discover places that may otherwise go unnoticed.
The selection of the 29 restaurants followed months of visits, tasting and evaluation by a team from the Sabah Chefs Association.
The chosen restaurants cover a broad range of categories.
Association chairman Adrian Chong said the eateries were selected not only for food quality and cleanliness but also because they are emerging outlets that deserve greater recognition.
"We hope that by being part of the Kota Kinabalu Food Trail, these restaurants will gain the visibility they need and attract more locals and visitors to experience their offerings," he said.
STB and the association plan to expand the trail in phases, adding more eateries and extending it to Sandakan and Tawau initially.
