Kudat can be ‘Bali of Borneo’: Sabah tourism minister

KOTA KINABALU – Kudat in northern Sabah could match Bali as a tourist hotspot with a focus on the area’s natural beauty and unique offerings.

Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister and state Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said Kudat is already dubbed the “Bali of Borneo” due to its similar tourism activities with a potential for development.

“Kudat has a great deal of rural tourism potential due to its nature and islands with unique stories. 

“Bali is well-known among foreign tourists for its culture and surfing sports. Kudat has it all too, with beautiful beaches and surf.

“However, it is also up to the community to popularise Kudat and work to highlight the uniqueness of this area,” he said at the launching of Tajau Laut Rural Community Tourism Association in Kudat today. 

He said his ministry and the board are ready to assist the community in Kudat to promote tourism products available in the district. 

He added that the local community in Kudat should emulate the Tajau Laut community who is active in developing tourism activities in their areas.

The association that was established last year encourages villagers to take part in transforming Kg Tajau Laut into a promising tourism product.

Currently, the village has only one tourist accommodation; Tajau Laut guesthouse, operated by association president Junaidi Awang Bulat.

“Such cooperation is very important, especially when tourists come to see and learn how the village community creates tourism activities in their respective areas,” Joniston said.

Tourists and visitors can enjoy snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, coral conservation, and cooking, among others at Kg Tajau Laut.

Joniston said the Tajau Laut guesthouse is one of 16 operators in Kudat that had received the Sabah government’s special allocation of RM305,930 for tourism operators affected by the pandemic. 

Meanwhile, Tajau Laut village chief Lamat Alip said the association has bolstered the villagers’ sense of community and teamwork, allowing them to carry out a wide range of activities.

He encouraged the association to recruit more villagers as members to ensure that no one is left out of tourism opportunities. – The Vibes, May 20, 2022