Latest news with #Rafflesiakeithii
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Daily Express
Rafflesia sites as domestic tourism plus
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 Text Size: Joniston in a recent meeting with Albert (third right) and Timothy Teo (second right). Also pictured is Sabah Tourism Board product division manager Daniel Roman (left). Kota Kinabalu: Turning Sabah's rare Rafflesia blooms into a sustainable community-driven tourism product could empower rural villages while preserving one of the world's most unique natural wonders. In a recent meeting with Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, conservationist and Borneo Eco Tours managing director Albert Teo proposed that local communities take the lead in managing and guiding visitors to Rafflesia sites near their villages. He said the flower's rarity and short blooming period make it a high-value attraction, especially for eco-conscious travellers. 'There are already Rafflesia species growing close to kampungs, this is a chance for locals to generate income while protecting a fragile part of their natural heritage. 'With basic infrastructure and proper training, communities could host visitors through guided treks, supported by simple facilities like trails and information signage,' he said. Teo also put forward the idea of establishing a Rafflesia community alliance, a network that connects kampungs located near known Rafflesia sites. Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, responded positively to the idea, saying the state government supports efforts that involve the community in tourism, especially when they are tied to nature and culture. 'Rafflesia has always been an iconic feature of Sabah's biodiversity. It's time we map out areas where kampungs can responsibly benefit from this rare flower,' he said. He added that the Sabah Tourism Board could look into identifying existing Rafflesia sites near villages, especially in Tambunan, Ranau and along the Crocker Range, areas already known for rural and nature tourism. 'Empowering locals will promote long-term conservation. When people see value in protecting something, they take ownership of it, and that builds both community pride and sustainability. 'This is in line with our Culture, Adventure, and Nature (CAN) approach to tourism development,' he said. Sabah is home to three of the world's 15 known species of Rafflesia, namely Rafflesia keithii, Rafflesia pricei and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii. Of the three, Rafflesia keithii is the largest species in Sabah, and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii is the rarest, named after Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mohamood, who played a pivotal role in the state's tourism and environmental conservation. * 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
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Hope blooms for villagers with Rafflesia trail
KOTA KINABALU: Apart from attracting nature lovers, Sabah's spectacular Rafflesia flower is set to become a symbol of empowerment for rural communities through an initiative that could turn conservation into a sustainable economic opportunity. Conservationist and Borneo Eco Tours managing director Albert Teo has proposed that villagers living near natural Rafflesia sites take the lead in managing and guiding visitors, making the flower a community-led eco-tourism product. He made the proposal during a recent meeting with Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, adding that the Rafflesia's rarity and brief blooming period make it an exclusive draw for eco-conscious travellers. 'There are already Rafflesia species growing near villages. With basic infrastructure and training, locals could host guided treks and educate visitors while protecting a fragile part of their natural heritage.' Teo also proposed the creation of a Rafflesia Community Alliance, a network of villages with access to known Rafflesia sites, to encourage collaboration and strengthen local ownership. Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman, welcomed the proposal and said the state government supports tourism models that engage local communities, particularly when they involve Sabah's natural and cultural heritage. 'Rafflesia has long been a symbol of Sabah's biodiversity. It is time to identify villages that can benefit from this venture while ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism practices.' He added that the state tourism board would explore mapping Rafflesia sites near villages, particularly in Tambunan, Ranau and along the Crocker Range, which are areas already popular for nature-based tourism. 'Empowering locals fosters long-term conservation. When people see value in protecting something, they take ownership. That's how we build sustainability and pride,' Bangkuai said, aligning the idea with Sabah's Culture, Adventure and Nature tourism approach. Sabah is home to three of the world's 15 known Rafflesia species, namely Rafflesia keithii, Rafflesia pricei and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii. The third, the rarest of the trio, is named after Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahamood, a key figure in Sabah's tourism and conservation movement.
The Star
13-05-2025
- The Star
Rare rafflesia blooms offer new hope for rural communities
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (left) welcomes the idea put forward by Albert Teo to involve local communities in managing and promoting Rafflesia tourism in Sabah during their meeting on Tuesday (May 13). KOTA KINABALU: Beyond attracting nature lovers, Sabah's rare and spectacular Rafflesia flowers can empower rural communities by turning conservation into opportunity. Conservationist and Borneo Eco Tours managing director Albert Teo has proposed that villagers near natural Rafflesia sites manage and guide visitors, making the flower a community-led eco-tourism product. He raised this proposal during a recent meeting with Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, noting that the rafflesia's rarity and brief blooming period make it an exclusive draw for eco-conscious travellers. 'There are already rafflesia species growing near kampungs (villages). With basic infrastructure and training, locals could host guided treks and educate visitors while protecting a fragile part of their natural heritage,' Teo said. He also proposed creating a Rafflesia Community Alliance, a network of villages with access to known rafflesia sites, to encourage collaboration and strengthen local ownership. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (second left)in a meeting with Borneo Eco Tours managing directors Albert Teo (third right) and Timothy Teo (second right) on Tuesday (May 13). Also present is Sabah Tourism Board product division manager Daniel Roman (left). Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman, welcomed the proposal and said the state government supports tourism models that engage local communities, especially when they involve Sabah's natural and cultural heritage. 'The rafflesia has long been a symbol of Sabah's biodiversity. It is time to identify kampungs that can benefit from this while ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism practices,' he said. He added that the board would explore mapping known rafflesia sites near villages, particularly in Tambunan, Ranau, and along the Crocker Range, areas already popular for nature-based tourism. 'Empowering locals fosters long-term conservation. When people see value in protecting something, they take ownership. That's how we build sustainability and pride,' Bangkuai said, aligning the idea with Sabah's Culture, Adventure and Nature (CAN) tourism approach. Sabah is home to three of the world's 15 known rafflesia species: Rafflesia keithii, Rafflesia pricei, and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii. The latter, the rarest of the three, is named after Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahamood, a key figure in Sabah's tourism and conservation movement.
Borneo Post
13-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sabah turning rare blooms into opportunity
Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a recent meeting with Borneo Eco Tours managing directors Albert Teo (third right) and Timothy Teo (second right). Also present is Sabah Tourism Board product division manager Daniel Roman (left). KOTA KINABALU (May 13): Turning Sabah's rare Rafflesia blooms into a sustainable community-driven tourism product could empower rural villages while preserving one of the world's most unique natural wonders. In a recent meeting with Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, conservationist and Borneo Eco Tours managing director Albert Teo proposed that local communities take the lead in managing and guiding visitors to Rafflesia sites near their villages. He said the flower's rarity and short blooming period make it a high-value attraction, especially for eco-conscious travellers. 'There are already Rafflesia species growing close to kampungs, this is a chance for locals to generate income while protecting a fragile part of their natural heritage. 'With basic infrastructure and proper training, communities could host visitors through guided treks, supported by simple facilities like trails and information signage,' he said. Teo also put forward the idea of establishing a Rafflesia community alliance, a network that connects kampungs located near known Rafflesia sites. Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, responded positively to the idea, saying the state government supports efforts that involve the community in tourism, especially when they are tied to nature and culture. 'Rafflesia has always been an iconic feature of Sabah's biodiversity. It's time we map out areas where kampungs can responsibly benefit from this rare flower,' he said. He added that the Sabah Tourism Board could look into identifying existing Rafflesia sites near villages, especially in Tambunan, Ranau and along the Crocker Range, areas already known for rural and nature tourism. 'Empowering locals will promote long-term conservation. When people see value in protecting something, they take ownership of it, and that builds both community pride and sustainability. 'This is in line with our Culture, Adventure, and Nature (CAN) approach to tourism development,' he said. Sabah is home to three of the world's 15 known species of Rafflesia, namely Rafflesia keithii, Rafflesia pricei and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii. Of the three, Rafflesia keithii is the largest species in Sabah, and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii is the rarest, named after Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mohamood, who played a pivotal role in the state's tourism and environmental conservation.
