TELUPID: Community-based tourism (CBT) is one of the best concepts for empowering rural community to improve their economy.
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief financial officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit had therefore encouraged the rural community to explore the CBT concept which was deemed as sustainable and could foster closer relationship between travellers and the communities.
"The community must be opened to welcome visitors from all over the world and learn about tourism and culture in their areas so that visitors can get a better grasp of their culture and daily lives," he said.
Julinus during a seminar presentation on Rural Tourism Towards 2025, said STB was always ready to provide the necessary expertise to make a destination feasible.
The seminar conducted by STB was to educate the Telupid community about CBT and its potential as Sabah gears towards rejuvenating the ailing tourism industry badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Telupid had several promising tourism products in the offing which only needed to be further polished to attract visitors.
"Telupid has a fascinating history to tell in addition to its natural attractions. The STB team is always available to assist the community in generating ideas and instilling enthusiasm about the benefits of tourism," said Julinus.
He also encouraged the product-owner operators to work as a team in the promotion and marketing efforts as currently many were doing it individually.
Julinus said STB aspired to develop Telupid into a top rural destination like Kadamaian and Kiulu which enjoy huge number of visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Telupid state assemblyman Jonnybone J. Kurum who officiated the seminar expressed hope to see Telupid develop into an attractive rural tourism destination and is ever ready to assist CBT players in the district.
Telupid is also blessed with unspoilt environment, heritage, agrotourism, education, adventure, culture and food, he said.
Telupid also served as a significant route for the infamous Sandakan Death Marches during the Second World War making it an ideal product for the dark tourism concept.
On existing products, visitors can explore the Tawai Rainforest Camp, Tawai Waterfall (second highest in Sabah), Eroney Garden Kampung Wasai, Rabbit Garden Kampung Bauto, Titanic Garden Kampung Liningkung, Tuaty Memorial (Death March), and Tingkoyodon Gaab waterfall.
The seminar was organised by the Telupid Tourism Association (TTA) and supported by STB, Telupid district office and community development leader unit.
Also present were Federation of Rural Tourism Association president and Kadamaian Tourism Association president Walter Kandayon, TTA president Pinus Gondili and STB assistant product manager Dexter Randy.