Nabalu Tourism Centre Boosts Rural Connectivity and Sustainable Tourism Growth

16 October 2025

KIULU: The opening of the Nabalu Tourism Information Centre on Thursday marks a new milestone for rural tourism in Sabah, strengthening the network of destinations linking Kiulu, Kadamaian in Kota Belud, and Kundasang in Ranau.

Strategically located along the main route to the Kundasang highlands, the centre provides travellers with easy access to information on rural tourism products, community-based attractions, and local cultural experiences.

This is the second information centre established within the Kiulu constituency, following the first located in Kiulu township.

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the centre reflects a continued and coordinated effort to enhance rural tourism in an inclusive and sustainable way.

“Many travellers stop by Pekan Nabalu on their way to Kadamaian and Kundasang, but not everyone realises there is so much more to explore nearby.

This centre bridges that gap by helping visitors discover smaller villages, local food, and authentic cultural experiences0all while supporting local communities,” he said during the launch.

According to STB data, the community-based tourism (CoBT) sector continues to record steady growth. In 2023, it generated RM6.66 million in revenue, rising to RM7 million in 2024. Visitor arrivals increased from 300,000 to 310,000, while job opportunities grew from 755 to 850 across 85 CoBT attractions in 18 districts statewide.

Joniston noted that the figures could be even higher with improved data collection, emphasising that information centres such as Nabalu’s play a crucial role in supporting STB’s data-driven approach to rural tourism development.

“Kiulu serves as our pilot site for digitalising rural tourism data, allowing us to track visitor trends and measure economic impact more accurately.

STB plans to expand this digital system to other rural destinations across Sabah to ensure better planning and measurable growth,” he added.

Between January and October 2025, Kiulu recorded 22,029 visitor arrivals and RM616,382 in tourism revenue under the pilot project.

Joniston also highlighted STB’s ongoing initiative to integrate agriculture with tourism as part of a wider sustainable rural development strategy, noting that 51 agrotourism products have been identified and promoted statewide.

Also present at the event were STB Product Division Senior Manager Effendi Mahany, Kiulu Tourism Association President Meijin Maginggow, Kadamaian Tourism Association President Walter Kandayon, and Nabalu Tourism Association President Michael Liman.