Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor emphasizes aggressive development of Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) for economic growth, especially in rural areas.
The State Government pledges full support to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment and Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
Despite the ongoing pandemic recovery, CoBT initiatives have yielded positive results, with 224,356 tourists generating nearly RM8 million in receipts last year.
CoBT has potential for further growth through joint efforts by District Tourism Action Councils and associations.
Tourism is a key economic pillar under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya plan, with plans for infrastructure and skills development in rural community tourism.
Hajiji envisions Sabah’s rural tourism matching or surpassing global counterparts, welcoming efforts for a CoBT brand.
He supports global attention to rural community-based tourism, assuring continued State Government support for 80% Asean Standard compliance by 2030.
The Chief Minister sees the Sabah CoBT Expo from Nov 17-19 at Suria Sabah as a transformative plan, showcasing rural strength and providing authentic experiences for tourists.
