Sabah rural tourism attracts attention at SCBTF 2024

19 October 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sabah Community-Based Tourism Fair (SCBTF) 2024 has garnered a positive response, leading to discussions about establishing a cruise ferry service connecting Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Sabah's Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Environment, emphasised that improved accessibility is essential for boosting tourism and fostering national integration.

"A cruise ferry service between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo could be a strategic initiative, offering a viable alternative to air travel, especially given the rising airfares," he stated during the launch of the SCBTF at IOI City Mall in Putrajaya on Saturday.

Joniston who also serves as the chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board STB), suggested that the Federal Government consider reestablishing a cruise ferry service akin to the Feri Muhibbah introduced in the 1980s.

In its time, the Feri Muhibbah connected Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, fostering national integration and enhancing connectivity. As Malaysia's first and largest government-owned cruise ferry, it played a vital role in facilitating travel until the service was eventually discontinued.

The ongoing development of Indonesia’s new capital, Ibu Kota Nusantara, in East Kalimantan on Borneo, makes the reintroduction of such a ferry service even more pertinent.

This year’s SCBTF marks the sixth edition of the event and is the first to be held outside of Sabah. Running from October 16 to 20, the fair features 27 tourism associations from 22 districts, along with five handicraft entrepreneurs. Organised by the STB, the event offers rural communities a platform to showcase their unique products to a wider audience.

The fair highlights the tourism offerings of Sabah’s rural communities, underscoring the state's commitment to promoting eco-tourism, homestays, and cultural experiences.

Joniston noted that last year, 139,449 visitors traveled to rural destinations such as Kadamaian and Kiulu, generating RM3.505 million in revenue—a figure that could increase significantly with improved data collection.

Meanwhile, STB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julinus Jeffrey Jimit emphasised the board's focus on training and capacity-building programmes for rural communities operating tourism businesses, helping them meet industry standards.

“The STB team is dedicated to supporting rural communities by providing essential guidance and resources to promote our rural destinations both domestically and internationally,” he stated.

“We are committed to collaborating closely with local operators to enhance their visibility.”

Notable attendees at the event included Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia; Nur Hayati Aziz Rashid, Head of Commercial, Central Region Sales at Malaysia Airlines; Robert Pepper, Second Secretary of the British High Commission in Malaysia; and Mejin Maginggow, President of the Kiulu Tourism Association, representing the SCBTF exhibitors.