TAMPARULI: Rural tourism will be more meaningful by adding the element of story-elling to homestay, kampungstay and farmstay programmes to further enhance the visitors experience with their host families.
Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said nowadays there are many tourism products being promoted and most were connected to the environment and the people.
"We have trekking, bird watching and herbs introduction for our tourists. These are the products that can be tapped extensively.
"Tour guides can explain what taboos are observed and traditions required to pluck, pick or dig these medicinal plants," he said during the launch of a book entitled "Hauntings and Ghostly Whispers" written by senior journalist Anna Vivienne, at Rumah Terbalik Tamparuli here.
He said tourists who opt for rural tourism, however, may not only be interested in the natural environment and kampung lifestyle but also their beliefs.
"They will be interested to know about our cultural and traditional background. I believe that storytelling is an activity that should be presented as one of the programmes within the destination," said Bangkuai who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman.
He said storytelling, when done correctly and skilfully, could create an emotional connection between visitors and the hosts.
This emotional connection is a great form of tourism, where understanding and respect are created, he said.
"Emotion is a powerful reaction that can create a strong bond, which in tourism can result in a ripple effect, a form of promotion, and therefore return visits," said Bangkuai.
He said homestay, kampung stay and farmstay programmes have tremendous offerings in form of traditional food, nature walks, trekking, bird watching, herbs and the general atmosphere of the village.
"Add on storytelling, even how the village was established and this can act as the 'soul' of the package.
"Guides, when they have storytelling skills can talk about the spiritual aspects of a trek; thereby creating an entertaining but informative experience for their tourists.
"Your marketing tools should sew the tangible and intangible together.
"This can allow you to create a memorable experience for visitors and allow your tourism operator network to work together to continue the storytelling cycle," said Bangkuai.
Tourism was vital for the success of many economies in Sabah and economic revenue, and thousands of jobs were generated through this industry, which in turn develop the infrastructures of the destination in question, he said.
Jobs and income opportunities created by tourism are significant with many spin-offs from homestays with their own itinerary or programme, he added.
This includes guides, who will earn a certain sum per assignment, handicraft sellers who sell their wares, food vendors who offer traditional food, traditional dancers during the welcoming ceremonies and of course, in future, story-tellers who might tell their tales in the evenings for guests.
On the book, he said this book was an excellent souvenir for tourists.
"It can be a keepsake for those who are interested to know about the superstitions, beliefs and taboos of the local people.
"This book can also be used by movie makers who wish to create series on this genre and it can be used as a guideline for those who want to include storytelling in their tourism package," he said.
During the event, Anna Vivienne presented books to Sabah Library director Fatimah Abdullah and Sabah Archives director Majela Tan Marquez.
Also present during the event was STB chief executive officer Noredah Othman and Rumah Terbalik proprietor Alexander Yee.