Taiwanese University Supports Kiulu’s Bid for International Cittaslow Status

14 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Efforts to secure Kiulu’s inclusion in the International Cittaslow network are set to place Sabah and Malaysia on the global map for sustainable, community-driven tourism.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said International Cittaslow recognition would elevate Kiulu within the rural tourism segment while strengthening Sabah’s standing as a model for community-based tourism.

“Kiulu already has a strong foundation in community-based tourism. The Cittaslow framework helps organise these strengths into a recognised standard, improves consistency, and builds greater market confidence among both visitors and operators."

“This initiative will also benefit Sabah and Malaysia by promoting sustainable tourism, creating economic opportunities, and showcasing our culture, local agriculture and natural heritage to international visitors,” he said.

Joniston was speaking after a recent meeting with Malaysia Talent Education and Industry–Academia Collaboration Association (M-TEIA) representative Pang Thou Chong, Kiulu Tourism Association president Meijin Manggingow, and a delegation from Taiwan’s Nanhua University led by Assistant Professor Liang Yi-Tsung.

The Nanhua University team is in Kiulu from 10 to 19 January to conduct training courses as part of a broader effort to support Malaysia’s first International Cittaslow certification bid.

Under the collaboration, Nanhua University’s Department of Tourism Management has deployed lecturers and students to work directly with the Kiulu community through workshops, demonstrations and on-site engagements.

The initiatives include assisting rural tourism operators to develop value-added culinary products using local produce such as cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes and citrus fruits.

These efforts aim to enhance product quality and the overall visitor experience in line with Cittaslow principles.

Joniston, who is also the Kiulu assemblyman, said the Cittaslow framework provides a clear structure for improving product standards, visitor management and community participation.

He added that the involvement of universities with proven expertise helps accelerate local preparedness through practical, ground-level implementation.

Nanhua University is recognised as a Friend of Cittaslow International and has extensive experience guiding communities in Taiwan through the International Cittaslow framework by integrating slow living, slow food and community-based economic models.

“Based on our assessment, Kiulu is already well aligned with most of the guidelines and will mainly need to strengthen consistency and documentation to support certification,” Liang said.

He added that the initiative should also prioritise sustainability and community economic empowerment through agriculture, nature-based activities and cultural experiences.

Last year, M-TEIA proposed Kiulu for inclusion in the International Cittaslow network and linked STB’s community-based tourism initiatives with Taiwan’s Cittaslow Alliance.

M-TEIA and STB subsequently co-organised an international exchange seminar in Kiulu in August, fostering knowledge-sharing and strengthening ties with Nanhua University.

Following this, the Kiulu Tourism Association partnered with Nanhua University to launch a three-year training programme involving 15 farmers, focusing on pineapple cultivation, product processing and agrotourism development.