Latest news with #CoBT
Daily Express
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah rural tourism revenue up
Published on: Wednesday, May 07, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 07, 2025 By: R Gonzales Text Size: Hajiji (centre) did a gimmick launching of Kaamatan Festival at Tuaran district level 2025, flanked by his wife Datin Seri Juliah Salag (second right), Jahid (second left), Joniston (left) and Jasnih (right), at a community hall in Kiulu. KIULU: Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) initiatives involving 18 active districts contributed RM7 million revenue in 2024, up from RM6.7 million in 2023, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said. The Kiulu state constituency is one of the rural areas contributing to the State's revenue and has emerged as a key pioneer in the development of CoBT. 'Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative, and state revenue from CoBT has increased. 'Therefore, I want to see CoBT actively developed due to its potential to expand and stimulate the economy in rural areas of the State,' he said, when opening the 2025 Tuaran District Kaamatan Festival at the Kiulu Community Hall, Tuesday. Present were State Rural Development Minister cum Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim, State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jonistoin Bangkuai cum Kiulu Assemblyman and Pantai Dalit Assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya. Hajiji added that Sabah recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals early this year, which is about 26 per cent of the total target of 3.5 million visitors for 2025. 'I am confident this target is not only achievable but can even exceed, just like in 2024 when we welcomed 3.2 million visitors — surpassing the original goal of 3 million,' he said. He emphasised the need to improve rural infrastructure as a foundation to support the growth of both tourism and agriculture. He said good infrastructure not only brings comfort to the local population but also serves as a key attraction for both domestic and international tourists. Hajiji called on the people to continue supporting the government's efforts to strengthen state development, particularly through the tourism sector, which serves as a major economic driver for Sabah. 'The well-being of the people is always our top priority. Sustainable development and economic growth are essential to ensuring lasting prosperity and welfare for the state,' he said. He also congratulated four CoBT associations in the State that signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four universities and a tourism association from Taiwan, including the Kiulu Tourism Association. The other three CoBT groups involved were the Tambunan Tourism Association, the Sabah Coffee Entrepreneurs Association, and the Tambatuon Village Women's Community Association in Kadamaian, Kota Belud. Hajiji said these collaborations are expected to bring major benefits in knowledge transfer and community tourism empowerment. 'The Kiulu sub-district should fully capitalize on its potential in tourism and agriculture as key economic drivers, especially as it is home to some of the most active CoBT operators in the State. 'The first-ever Community-Based Tourism Conference will be organised this June in Kota Kinabalu by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board as a strategic move to further strengthen Sabah's tourism sector,' he added. At the event, the Chief Minister also approved an allocation of RM1.1 million for development projects in Kiulu. These include the construction of a parking facility, a new road to Kampung Kitapol and a gravity-fed water supply system in Kg Lopot. 'Kiulu must continue to be developed, and the people's aspirations for ongoing progress and well-being must be supported and fulfilled,' he said. Hajiji also announced that the Kiulu Community Hall has been officially renamed the OKK Rampas Community Hall. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah's Community-Based Tourism revenue rose to RM6.7 mln in 2024 - Hajiji
Hajiji (third from left) presenting the Tokoh Padi Award to Tousin Sumin. – Information Department photo TUARAN (May 6): The total revenue from Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) in Sabah rose to RM7 million last year compared to RM6.7 million in 2023, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the CoBT revenue was from the 18 active districts involved in that growing sector, particularly in rural areas. 'Tourism is the main thrust in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Roadmap and Kiulu has emerged as one of the key pilot programmes under the CoBT development. I want the CoBT to be actively developed because of its potential in expanding and generating the economy in rural areas in the state,' he said when launching the 2025 Tuaran District-level Kaamatan Festival at Kiulu Community Hall here on Tuesday. He also congratulated four CoBT associations in the state, including the Kiulu Tourism Association, which signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with four universities and a tourism body from Taiwan. He said the other three CoBTs were the Tambunan Tourism Association, the Sabah Coffee Entrepreneurs Association and the Kampung Tambatuon Kadamaian Women's Community Association, Kota Belud. He added that the collaboration is expected to provide significant benefits in terms of knowledge transfer and empowerment of the local tourism community. 'The Kiulu district should fully utilise its potential in tourism and agriculture as an economic catalyst because this area is one of the state's CoBT operators,' he said. Hajiji said that the first-ever Community-Based Tourism Conference, to be held in Kota Kinabalu in June, would be organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board as another strategic move in strengthening Sabah's tourism sector. He also approved an allocation of RM1.1 for the implementation of several development projects in the Kiulu state constituency. Hajiji said Sabah recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, which is about 26 per cent of its targeted 3.5 million visitors this year. He also expressed confidence in exceeding the stipulated target, just like how the state did in 2024 when it attracted 3.2 million visitors compared to the initial 3 million target. The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance for rural infrastructure facilities to be upgraded as the basis for supporting the growth of tourism and agriculture. He added that good infrastructure not only provided comfort to the people of Sabah but also a key attraction to domestic and foreign visitors. Hajiji urged the people to continue supporting the government's efforts to strengthen the state's development, particularly in the tourism sector which has become the main catalyst for Sabah's economy. At the Kaamatan Festival launch, Hajiji also declared that the Kiulu Community Hall would be renamed Dewan Masyarakat OKK Rampas.
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sabah's tourism sector off to strong start in 2025 with over 920,000 visitors
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah received a total of 923,709 tourists in the first quarter of 2025, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the number represents about 26 per cent of the overall target of 3.5 million visitors for the year. "I am confident that this target is not only achievable but also has the potential to surpass expectations, similar to 2024's performance, when Sabah recorded 3.2 million visitors compared to the initial target of 3 million," he said at the official opening of the Tuaran District-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at the Kiulu Community Hall here. Acknowledging the importance of rural infrastructure as the foundation for supporting tourism and agricultural growth, Hajiji also approved an RM1.1 million allocation for various development projects in the Kiulu state assembly constituency, including the construction of a parking facility in Kiulu town and a new road. Hajiji urged the people to continue supporting the government's efforts to strengthen state development, particularly in the tourism sector, which is a key driver of Sabah's economy. He said Sabah's tourism sector continues to record impressive achievements, with significant contributions from Community-Based Tourism (CoBT), particularly in rural areas such as Kiulu, which has emerged as a pioneer in CoBT development. He said the state's total revenue from CoBT increased to RM7 million in 2024, compared to RM6.7 million in 2023, from 18 active districts. "I want CoBT to be actively developed because of its potential to expand and generate economic growth in the state's rural areas," he said.
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hajiji: Sabah's community-based tourism contributes RM7m in 2024, boosts rural economy
KOTA KINABALU, May 6 — Sabah's steadily growing tourism sector has received a significant boost from community-based tourism (CoBT), particularly in interior regions such as Kiulu, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said today. Hajiji highlighted that CoBT contributed RM7 million to Sabah's economy in 2024, up from RM6.7 million in 2023, with 18 districts actively participating in the model. 'Community-based tourism has proven to be one of the most effective ways to stimulate rural economies. It creates jobs, empowers local communities, and offers visitors an authentic experience of Sabah's traditions, people, and landscapes,' he said at the launch of the 2025 Tuaran Kaamatan Festival in Kiulu. CoBT involves local communities actively participating in the planning, development, and management of tourism activities, with residents often providing services such as accommodation, food, and cultural experiences. Tourism is one of the key pillars of the state's Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development blueprint. Sabah recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025, putting the state on track to achieve its target of 3.5 million visitors this year. 'I am confident this target will not only be achieved but may even be surpassed, just as in 2024, when we recorded 3.2 million visitors, exceeding the initial target of three million,' Hajiji said. He also stressed the importance of improving rural infrastructure to support the growth of tourism and agriculture. 'Good infrastructure not only benefits locals but also serves as a key attraction for both domestic and international tourists. We must build on this momentum. I want to see CoBT grow not only in numbers but also in quality and impact,' he said. To further strengthen CoBT, four local associations recently signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with four local universities and a Taiwanese tourism association. These associations are the Kiulu Tourism Association, Tambunan Tourism Association, Sabah Coffee Entrepreneurs Association, and Tambatuon Women's Community Association in Kota Belud. 'These collaborations will enhance knowledge sharing and elevate the professionalism of our community tourism operators,' Hajiji said, adding that Kota Kinabalu will host Sabah's first-ever CoBT conference this June, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Sabah Tourism Board. Meanwhile, Hajiji, who is also the state assemblyman for the neighbouring Sulaman constituency, announced RM1.1 million in allocations for key development projects in the Kiulu constituency. These include a new parking facility in Kiulu town, a road to Kampung Kitapol, and a gravity-fed water supply system for Kampung Lopot.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sabah's CoBT revenue rose to RM7m in 2024
TUARAN: The total revenue from Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) in Sabah rose to RM7 million last year compared to RM6.7 million in 2023, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the CoBT revenue was from the 18 active districts involved in that growing sector, particularly in rural areas. 'Tourism is the main thrust in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Roadmap and Kiulu has emerged as one of the key pilot programmes under the CoBT development. I want the CoBT to be actively developed because of its potential in expanding and generating the economy in rural areas in the state,' he said when launching the 2025 Tuaran District-level Kaamatan Festival at Kiulu Community Hall here today. He also congratulated four CoBT associations in the state, including the Kiulu Tourism Association, which signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with four universities and a tourism body from Taiwan. He said the other three CoBTs were the Tambunan Tourism Association, the Sabah Coffee Entrepreneurs Association and the Kampung Tambatuon Kadamaian Women's Community Association, Kota Belud. He added that the collaboration is expected to provide significant benefits in terms of knowledge transfer and empowerment of the local tourism community. 'The Kiulu district should fully utilise its potential in tourism and agriculture as an economic catalyst because this area is one of the state's CoBT operators,' he said. Hajiji said that the first-ever Community-Based Tourism Conference, to be held in Kota Kinabalu in June, would be organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board as another strategic move in strengthening Sabah's tourism sector. He also approved an allocation of RM1.1 for the implementation of several development projects in the Kiulu state constituency. Hajiji said Sabah recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, which is about 26 per cent of its targeted 3.5 million visitors this year. He also expressed confidence in exceeding the stipulated target, just like how the state did in 2024 when it attracted 3.2 million visitors compared to the initial 3 million target. The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance for rural infrastructure facilities to be upgraded as the basis for supporting the growth of tourism and agriculture. He added that good infrastructure not only provided comfort to the people of Sabah but also a key attraction to domestic and foreign visitors. Hajiji urged the people to continue supporting the government's efforts to strengthen the state's development, particularly in the tourism sector which has become the main catalyst for Sabah's economy. At the Kaamatan Festival launch, Hajiji also declared that the Kiulu Community Hall would be renamed Dewan Masyarakat OKK Rampas.
