KOTA KINABALU, Nov 16 — Sabah rural tourism operators are encouraged to gain risk management knowledge in order to provide a safer environment for their visitors.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said it was important to provide excellent services and ensure zero accidents at the tourism centres.
“We want repeat visitors in tourism. We don’t want anything unpleasant to happen to our guests because it will reflect poorly on us. The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) encourages the rural communities to take advantage of the upskilling opportunities.
“If the visitors are satisfied with our management, of course they will return. Hence, it is important for us to give excellent services and STB has a special allocation to support upskilling courses.”
Bangkuai, who is also STB chairman, said this at the closing of the Kiulu Tourism Association (KTA)’s Capacity-Building Programme and launching of the multipurpose hall at the Monggoluton River View and Picnic Centre in Kiulu, yesterday.
He stated that STB’s goal was for Kiulu to be recognised as a world-class rural tourism destination, similar to Kadamaian, which received the 2019-2020 ASEAN Standard Award.
On Monday, 25 KTA members and tourism operators attended a capacity-building course held at the newly constructed multipurpose hall/
It was part of the Sabah New Deal and the course focused on how to handle risks professionally in situations such as drowning, being lost in the jungle, and being injured, among other things.
Sources: BERNAMA