KOTA BELUD: The Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark status must translate into more jobs and better incomes for local communities, with clearer data to show its impact.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said community tourism is showing encouraging growth, but there is no system yet to measure the income and jobs created directly through the recognition.
“We do not want to say that the Geopark brings benefits merely. We want to be able to demonstrate those benefits through solid data,” he said in his speech read by Sabah Parks director Datuk Dr Maklarin Lakim at the Kota Belud Tamu Geopark at Dataran Kota Belud on Sunday (Oct 11).
He said better records were needed on participating communities and entrepreneurs, employment, visitor numbers, homestay growth and the economic value reaching residents.
Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark received its recognition on May 24, 2023, and underwent its first reassessment from Aug 10 to 14 this year.
Jafry said initial feedback was positive, with assessors noting improvements in conservation, support for communities and local guides, visitor interpretation and management.
However, the official outcome had yet to be finalised by Unesco.
“Unesco status is not an endpoint. It is an ongoing commitment to ensure the Geopark continues to improve and remains relevant to the people living within it,” he said.
Among the examples of progress was Walai Tobilung, where visitor numbers rose from 2,731 in 2023 to 4,902 in 2024 and 5,730 last year.
In Kampung Kiau, homestays, local coffee and pineapple-based businesses were creating opportunities involving farmers and village women.
At SK Sayap here, the school community and surrounding residents had developed nearly 38 tourism products covering accommodation, nature activities, food, history, culture and the arts.
Jafry said about RM5.24mil had been recorded for Geopark-related activities and development between 2021 and 2026, including community development, education, research, promotion, tourism and site development.
Of this, about RM1.266mil involved development contributions to community and tourism-related projects.
The reassessment also highlighted the need to improve signage, Geopark education in rural schools, visitor safety and facilities, and explanations of geological features at tourism sites and homestays.
Assessors recommended preserving traditional knowledge and skills, using more local materials, strengthening the Geopark identity of local products and expanding employment and career opportunities.
“We do not want the Geopark to be seen as a collection of separate geological sites. We want Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Ranau to be connected as one landscape with complementary stories, communities and experiences,” Jafry said.
He added that Tamu Geopark brought local culture, food, products and education together, but cooperation among communities, schools, guides and tourism operators must continue throughout the year.
