SANDAKAN: Sabah’s ambition to become a world-class ecotourism destination will depend on how effectively it protects its natural assets while ensuring tourism benefits local communities.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said sustainable destination management must be prioritised as Sabah’s East Coast leverages its rich biodiversity and natural attractions to draw visitors.
He said this at the launch of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Sustainable Tourism Course focusing on the Destination Standard at Hotel Ormond here on Tuesday.
The three-day programme, running from Oct 13 to 15, brings together about 32 tourism stakeholders from the East Coast to strengthen their understanding of internationally recognised sustainability standards and their practical application in destination management.
Jafry said the region, which encompasses Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Tawau, Semporna and Lahad Datu, was home to globally significant natural assets, including Danum Valley, Sipadan Island Park and wildlife corridors along the Kinabatangan River.
“However, with great natural wealth comes great responsibility. Tourism cannot thrive in isolation from environmental protection and community well-being.
“If we are to secure our position as a world-class ecotourism destination, we must ensure our destinations are managed sustainably, ethically and strategically,” he said.
He commended the Sabah Tourism Board and GSTC for organising the initiative, saying it would strengthen local capacity to balance tourism growth with environmental conservation and community well-being.
The training involves representatives from government agencies, private destination management organisations and conservation authorities, including Sabah Parks, the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Sabah Forestry Department.
Participants will learn about international sustainability standards, strengthen destination-level decision-making and explore practical approaches to ensuring tourism development benefits local communities while safeguarding natural resources.
The programme also includes a field visit to Kopel in Kampung Batu Puteh, Kinabatangan, on Oct 15, where participants will learn about community-led ecotourism and its contribution to local livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
The visit is expected to provide practical insights into how community participation can support conservation while creating economic opportunities for residents.
During the programme, Bilit Adventure Lodge is also scheduled to receive its GSTC certification certificate from Vireo, marking another step towards adopting internationally recognised sustainability standards in Sabah’s tourism industry.
Jafry said sustainable tourism was no longer merely a niche market or marketing slogan, but a fundamental requirement for the future of the travel industry.
He urged participants to make full use of the training by sharing their field experiences and developing concrete action plans for implementation in their respective districts.
“The future of Sabah’s East Coast rests in your hands,” he said, calling on tourism managers, regulators and operators to strengthen their commitment to responsible destination management.
The course is being conducted by certified GSTC trainer Mochamed Nalendra from Bandung, Indonesia.
