Edu- tourism initiatives in school promotes tourism

28 May 225

KIULU : SMK Tun Fuad Stephens is well-positioned to lead the way in pioneering edu-tourism initiatives, as the area continues to grow in popularity as a summer camp destination, said Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

The Assistant of Tourism, Culture and Environment said such efforts would enable students from the school to play an active role in showcasing their hometown to visitors, particularly international students.

He noted that the school has strong potential to serve as a driving force for these programmes, especially as it is the only secondary school in the area.

“With Kiulu already recognised as a destination for summer camps involving foreign students, there is tremendous potential to develop edu-tourism programmes that directly engage our local students in introducing their village to visitors,” he said during the school’s Kaamatan celebration on Wednesday.

According to the Kiulu Tourism Association, the area hosted 37 summer camp groups from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand last year and during the first four months of this year, involving a total of 851 students.

Joniston, who also chairs the Sabah Tourism Board, suggested that one concept worth exploring is a "Kiulu Discovery Day", in which local schools collaborate to host visiting students for immersive, community-based learning experiences.

He said the concept aligns with ongoing efforts to position schools in Kiulu as eco-tourism hubs, aimed at empowering students to serve as ambassadors for their environment and culture.

“The goal is to enable local students to act as guides and community ambassadors, offering visitors a first-hand experience of Kiulu’s natural beauty and rural lifestyle through hands-on activities,” he said.

“Our students can learn to become storytellers, which will help build their confidence and deepen their appreciation of their identity and cultureparticularly now that the school has established a tourism club.”

He added that senior students at SMK Tun Fuad could also mentor primary school pupils during these programmes, offering them early exposure to leadership and teamwork.

Joniston stressed that the success of such initiatives would require the involvement of all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, the Education Department, and tourism agencies.

“This initiative complements both state and national tourism objectives, particularly as we prepare for Visit Malaysia 2026.

“We should explore launching programmes that can attract participation from schools and visitors beyond Sabah, thereby supporting our Explore Sabah campaign,” he said.

Joniston also highlighted the strong interest in tourism among students in Kiulu, as demonstrated by the participation of over 100 students from the school in a youth tourism programme organised earlier this year by the Sabah Tourism Board and the Kiulu Tourism Association.

He expressed hope that students would continue to embrace their cultural heritage and view education not only as a personal journey but also as a means of uplifting their community and building a brighter future.

During the event, Joniston also launched the SMK Tun Fuad Stephens Welfare Fund.