Sabah Tourism pushing central Telupid district to promote community-based tourism

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Eyes now turn to Sabah’s central Telupid district to develop the community-based tourism (CoBT) industry after similar successes in the Kota Belud and Tuaran districts in the west coast of Sabah.

The rural communities of Telupid have yet to harness its scenic and lush tropical forests with wildlife for tourism potential as most attractions in the district were individually or privately owned.

Sabah Tourism Board have stepped in and are supporting the Telupid Tourism Association to help educate the local community about CoBT and familiarise them with its possibilities.

The recent programme, according to STB chief financial offcierJulinus Jeffery Jimit, was the first step toward making Telupid’s community-based and rural tourism as feasible as other districts like Kadamaian, Kota Belud, and Kiulu, Tuaran.

“While the district already has several tourism offerings, its tourism activities can be expanded to make Telupid a more appealing and competitive tourist destination.

“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,” he said, adding that the CoBT concept is one of the best approaches for empowering villages and improving the socio-economy of a rural district.

“The community must be open to receiving visitors from all over the world. In the meantime, the local community should learn about tourism and culture in their areas so that visitors can get a better sense of their culture and daily lives,” he added.

During the seminar, Telupid assemblyman JonnyboneKurum said that the local district office would work together to help develop the district’s community tourism base.

Telupid was part of the infamous Sandakan Death March where Japanese troops made prisoners of war walk from Sandakan to Ranau before the end of World War II, and this could be a possible product for the dark tourism concept, he said.

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 TingkoyodonGaab waterfall.

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