KOTA KINABALU: The Kadamaian community-based tour (CBT) operators are ready to re-open their recreational products with standard operating procedures (SOP) in place once the government allows tourism activities to resume.
Kadamaian Tourism Association (KATA) president Walter Duis Kandayon said they have no problems resuming their rural eco-tourism products and are prepared to receive visitors after the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is lifted.
"Although our tourism recreational activities have now stopped due to the coronavirus, the villagers still continue to work together in rotation to maintain existing infrastructures and cleanliness.
"They cut grass and repair damaged facilities. Most of the amenities such as resting huts and changing rooms are made of bamboo, while the roofing is made of 'rumbia' (sago palm)," he said when contacted today.
Kandayon noted the stalled tourism industry did not really affect KATA members as their primary source of income was agriculture.
He said CBT only started in Kadamaian five years ago after villagers became aware that they could turn certain locations into tourism destinations.
"We do see a growth in CBT businesses but it has not surpassed the importance of agriculture here.
"For now, villagers are focusing on their farming. The only problem is getting the needs for agriculture such as insecticides," he said.
KATA was established in 2015 in an effort to empower Kadamaian as a tourism product.
Located in the Kota Belud district, about 75 kilometres from here, Kadamaian has proven itself to be among the fastest-growing rural tourism destinations in Sabah, receiving over 100,000 tourists and visitors in 2018.
In Kadamaian, the river is one of the main attractions among visitors. Other recreational activities available for tourists and visitors are jungle trekking, hiking, bird-watching and stargazing, among others.
Yesterday, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said a Sabah Tourism Recovery Plan for domestic and international segments would be implemented once the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.
She hoped the recovery plan would be put in place without hitches by year-end or next year.