KOTA KINABALU: Efforts to get Kiulu listed in the International Cittaslow network will put Sabah and Malaysia on the global map for sustainable and community-driven tourism, says Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai
He said that International Cittaslow recognition would elevate Kiulu's profile.
“Kiulu already has strong community-based tourism. Cittaslow helps us organise these strengths.
“This initiative will also benefit Sabah and Malaysia,” he said.
Joniston said this after meeting with Malaysia Talent Education and Industry–Academia Collaboration Association (M-TEIA) representative Pang Thou Chong, Kiulu Tourism Association president Meijin Manggingow, and Nanhua University of Taiwan delegation led by Assistant Professor Liang Yi-Tsung.
The varsity team was in Kiulu from Jan 10 to 19 to deliver courses as part to strengthen Malaysia’s first International Cittaslow certification.
Under the partnership, Nanhua University’s Department of Tourism Management deployed lecturers and students to work with the Kiulu community.
Joniston, who is the Kiulu assemblyman, said that the involvement of universities helps in achieving International Cittaslow recognition
Nanhua University is recognised as a Friend of Cittaslow International.
“From our assessment, Kiulu is already well aligned with most of the guidelines and will need to focus on strengthening consistency and documentation to support certification,” Liang said.
He added that the efforts should also emphasise sustainability and community economic empowerment.
Last year, M-TEIA proposed Kiulu for the International Cittaslow network and linked STB’s community-based tourism initiatives with Taiwan’s Cittaslow Alliance.
M-TEIA and STB co-organised an international exchange seminar in Kiulu in August last year.
The Kiulu Tourism Association then partnered with Nanhua University to launch a three-year training programme for 15 farmers.
Cittaslow (Italian for “Slow City”) is a global movement founded in Italy in 1999 to improve the quality of life in towns by slowing their pace and protecting local identity. Inspired by the Slow Food movement, it promotes local culture, sustainable living, and human-centred design.
It encourages towns to prioritise local food, preserve traditions, reduce traffic, support local economies, and create liveable environments, offering an alternative to fast-paced modern life by putting well-being and community resilience ahead of rapid growth.
