Joniston receiving a token of appreciation from Lui.
KOTA KINABALU: Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has encouraged business leaders to explore tourism related opportunities in rural areas to complement the growing industry in urban centres.
He said rural tourism is emerging as a key focus for Sabah and presents untapped opportunities for business involvement.
Many rural communities have already taken the lead in developing community-based tourism, he said, adding further support from the private sector would help strengthen and expand these grassroots efforts.
Joniston, who is also Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board (STB), said increased business activity in rural areas would contribute to local income opportunities, support overall rural development and enhance the quality as well as sustainability of existing tourism initiatives.
He said this during meeting with a Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) delegation, led by its President Datuk Michael Lui.
The meeting touched on various matters, including tourism recovery and the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector in supporting events and destination promotion.
Lui thanked the Ministry and STB for promoting golf tourism and for the support given to KKCCI’s golf event in May. He commended their continued efforts to bring more tourists into Sabah, which he said has helped boost business confidence in Kota Kinabalu.
He said the current momentum in tourism is encouraging, especially post-pandemic, and said local businesses are feeling the positive effects, with hopes for continued collaboration to attract both international and domestic tourists to Sabah.
Michael also welcomed the call to explore rural areas, aaying the business community is open to supporting initiatives that can create new business opportunities while contributing to broader tourism development.
