KOTA KINABALU – The National Tourism Policy (NTP) 2020-2030, which was launched last Wednesday, is expected to be a driving force for the development of rural tourism, especially in Sabah, said Mesilou Atamis Homestay Association chairman Azizul Julirin.
Azizul said alongside enhancing cultural, artistic, heritage, recreational and eco-tourism products, rural tourism will help rural folk and contribute to the state's economic growth.
“The launch of the NTP is timely. Rural tourism operators, especially in Sabah, were severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and they need clearer directions to help motivate them in promoting and reviving domestic tourism,” said Azizul, who has been actively involved in the rural tourism industry.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had, in launching the NTP online on December 23, said the policy aims to ensure continuity of the country's tourism industry as well as return Malaysia to its status as a preferred tourism destination at the global level.
This would be achieved by strengthening competitiveness, encouraging sustainable and inclusive tourism sector development as well as planning for future disasters.
He said the policy would be implemented through six main strategic thrusts, namely transformation of governance, creating an inclusive tourism investment zone and intensifying digitisation in the tourism sector.
In addition, the core thrusts involve enriching tourists experience and satisfaction, strengthening commitment to sustainable tourism and increasing human capital capacity in all tourism sub-sectors.
Meanwhile, Coalition of Sabah Rural Tourism Association president Walter Kandayon said the core thrusts outlined in the policy, especially in increasing human capital capacity, is appropriate as it is necessary to produce more highly skilled workers in the sector.
Walter said, courses in the tourism field, such as hospitality, financial management, marketing and promotion, are needed, especially in Sabah, to achieve the objectives.
In a related development, Walter said, the quality of infrastructure, such as roads and internet networks in Sabah's rural areas, will have to be improved as most of the hidden gem destinations in the state are in these areas.
In addition, he said forest areas also have the potential to be research tourism products, which could attract more academics to come to Sabah, he said. – Bernama, December 28, 2020
