Joniston with Pang (fifth right), Meijin (fifth left) and Liang (second right).
KOTA KINABALU: Efforts to get Kiulu listed in the International Cittaslow network will put Sabah and Malaysia on the global map for sustainable and community-driven tourism.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board Chairman, said International Cittaslow recognition would elevate Kiulu within the rural tourism segment and strengthen Sabah’s position as a model for community-based tourism.
“Kiulu already has strong community-based tourism. Cittaslow helps us organise these strengths into a recognised standard, improve consistency and create stronger market confidence for visitors and operators alike.
“This initiative will also benefit Sabah and Malaysia by promoting sustainable tourism, creating economic opportunities and showcasing our culture, local agriculture and natural heritage to international visitors,” he said following a recent meeting with Malaysia Talent Education and Industry–Academia Collaboration Association (M-TEIA) representative Pang Thou Chong, Kiulu Tourism Association President Meijin Manggingow and Nanhua University of Taiwan delegation led by Assistant Professor Liang Yi-Tsung.
The varsity team is in Kiulu from January 10–19 to conduct courses as part of a broader effort to strengthen Malaysia’s first International Cittaslow certification.
Under the partnership, Nanhua University’s Department of Tourism Management has deployed lecturers and students to work directly with the Kiulu community through workshops, demonstrations and on-site engagements.
The initiatives include assisting rural tourism operators in developing value-added culinary offerings using local produce such as cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes and citrus fruits, thereby enhancing product quality and the visitor experience in line with Cittaslow values.
Joniston, who is Kiulu Assemblyman, said that the Cittaslow framework provides a clear structure for improving product quality, visitor management and community participation.
He added that the involvement of universities with proven experience helps accelerate local readiness through practical, on-the-ground implementation.
Nanhua University is recognised as a Friend of Cittaslow International and has extensive experience guiding communities in Taiwan through the International Cittaslow framework by integrating slow living, slow food and community-based economic models.
“From our assessment, Kiulu is already well aligned with most of the guidelines and will need to focus on strengthening consistency and documentation to support certification,” said Liang.
He added that the efforts should also emphasise sustainability and community economic empowerment through agriculture, nature and cultural activities.
Last year, M-TEIA proposed Kiulu for the International Cittaslow network and linked STB’s community-based tourism initiatives with Taiwan’s Cittaslow Alliance.
M-TEIA and STB co-organised an international exchange seminar in Kiulu in August last year, fostering knowledge sharing and building links with Nanhua University.
Following this, the Kiulu Tourism Association partnered with Nanhua University to launch a three-year training programme for 15 farmers, focusing on pineapple cultivation, product processing and agrotourism development.
