Promoting Tawau: Joniston urges strategic tourism plan

Sabah’s Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, has called for a strategic plan to promote Tawau as a must-see destination on the east coast of Sabah.

After visiting the Batu Bersusun attraction and Tagal Kampung Balung Cocos, Joniston emphasized that Tawau has significant untapped tourism potential and needs to expand its attractions to encourage tourists to stay and discover all that Tawau has to offer.

“I must say that whenever we attend (tourism) roadshow, there always seems to be a great deal of interest in Semporna, while tourists overlook Tawau.

“Hence, Tawau needs to expand its attractions, and we need to design a strategic plan to encourage tourists to stay and discover all that Tawau has to offer,” Joniston said.

During his visit, The Tawau Polytechnic officials briefed Joniston on Tawau’s potential to develop its community-based tourism (CoBT) based on a study conducted by Tawau Polytechnic.

The Tawau Polytechnic director, Dr Hajah Nor Haniza B. Mohamad, identified Kampung Tinagat, Kampung Batu Payung, and Kampung Membalua as potential villages for CoBT.

“The villagers in these places have indicated that they are ready to promote their particular village as a tourism attraction, adding that the residents strongly agreed that tourism would boost their source of income,” said Dr Hajah Nor Haniza

“We are ready to support (KePKAS and STB), especially on training and to develop CoBT in Tawau,” she added.

Tawau Polytechnic identified Kampung Tinagat, Kampung Batu Payung, and Kampung Membalua as potential villages for CoBT. Villagers in these places have indicated they are ready to promote their particular village as a tourist attraction.

Joniston encouraged Tawau Polytechnic and relevant quarters to engage with FeRTAS and to learn from the success stories of established CoBT. With its untapped tourism potential, Tawau has a unique opportunity to expand its attractions and create a sustainable tourism industry that benefits locals and tourists alike.

To promote Tawau as a must-see destination, Joniston believes that a strategic plan should be developed. By developing Tawau’s tourism potential, the city will be able to attract more visitors, generate more revenue, and create jobs for the local community.