Kiulu on Track to Put Malaysia on the Global Cittaslow Map

1 October 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Kiulu has been earmarked to join the global Cittaslow (Slow City) network, positioning it as Malaysia’s first community to be certified under the international movement that champions sustainable, community-driven development.

Kiulu’s potential was spotlighted during the 6th Annual Meeting of the Cittaslow Taiwan General Assembly in Dongyin, Taiwan, on 5–6 September. The development was later presented to the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Rural Tourism Committee (PRTC), chaired by Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister cum STB chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

The Malaysia Talent Education and Industry-Academia Collaboration Association (M-TEIA) has formally proposed Kiulu as a candidate for Cittaslow membership. If approved, it will mark a first for Malaysia, setting Kiulu apart as a model of slow, sustainable tourism.

Cittaslow communities worldwide embrace a philosophy that values community well-being, environmental stewardship, cultural authenticity, and a slower, more meaningful pace of life.

M-TEIA has been instrumental in connecting the Cittaslow Taiwan Alliance with STB’s community-based tourism initiatives, fostering cross-border cooperation. During the Taiwan assembly, STB Product Manager Effendi Mahany presented “Sabah, Malaysia’s Premier Ecotourism Destination: A Unique Journey of Culture, Adventure, and Nature”.

“Being recognised this way shows that Kiulu is on the right track with our community-based tourism efforts, and it is encouraging to see our work gaining international attention,” said Joniston, who is also the Kiulu assemblyman.

“It also demonstrates how far STB has come in showcasing rural destinations and highlighting what makes our community tourism unique. The Cittaslow philosophy aligns closely with slow travel – where visitors stay longer, immerse themselves in local life, and build genuine connections. This is an approach Sabah can build on, particularly in places like Kiulu,” he added.

Momentum has been building since August, when M-TEIA partnered with STB and the Kiulu Tourism Association to host an international exchange seminar in Kiulu. The collaboration also facilitated a three-year training programme with Taiwan’s Nanhua University for 15 local farmers, focusing on pineapple cultivation, product processing, and agro-tourism development.

Kiulu Tourism Association president Meijin Manginggow said such initiatives are helping local communities diversify into agrotourism and meet the growing demand for immersive travel experiences.

“Visitors today want more than sightseeing. They want to slow down, take part in village life, join farming activities, and understand how we live sustainably. Even content creators are drawn here – recently, a group from Hong Kong spent time with our community to experience and share Kiulu’s way of life,” he said.