Sabah govt's RM10mil grant helped 507 tourism projects

 By Olivia Miwil - March 11, 2022 @ 4:21pm

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government's RM10 million grant allocation has helped 507 tourism projects in the state.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the ministry and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) officials have gone to the ground to make sure the funds were utilised, and ensured all tourism-related improvement projects that have been approved were carried out.

"The grants had proven to be a valuable resource during difficult times, particularly for rural community tourism operators.

"Many basic tourism facilities have been updated, which is a positive step towards improving our remote destinations.

"The state government, through the Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry, is dedicated to providing better service and hospitality to our guests, especially international tourists who will make Sabah their next destination once the border reopens," he said in a statement.

According to STB figures, the special fund was used to improve tourism facilities in 27 districts.

The project components involved signages, walkways, open halls, performance stages, public restrooms, jetties, visitor information centres, hiking trails, gabion, landscape beautification, handicraft workshop, and parking areas, among others.

STB has also assisted in distributing grant support for affected tourism players, with each eligible applicant receiving RM20,000.

Apart from rural community tourism operators, other applicants included tourist non-governmental organisations, cultural villages, tourism associations, lodging providers, tour operators, and government agencies.