Strong holistic collaboration needed to sustain Sabah's tourism industry - DCM

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 17 -- Policies alone are inadequate to manage sustainable tourism, asserts Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

She stressed that the harmonious relationship among local communities, private sector which are directly and indirectly involved in tourism and government was the main essence in development practices to protect natural, built and cultural environment while being compatible with economic growth.

To this end, she said strong holistic collaboration between the government, industry, private sector, people, professionals and academicians was paramount to ensure sustainable growth of the tourism industry in Malaysia.

“Everyone of us should have a social responsibility and strong commitment to nature because the natural heritage belongs to all of us and we must protect such assets for future generations,” she said.

Liew, who is also Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment said this while launching a workshop, Enhancing profitability through sustainable growth and practices in travel and tourism: Embracing the global sustainable standard, here today.

Meanwhile, organising chairperson Prof Dr Jennifer Chan Kim Lian from Borneo Tourism Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said the seminar featured two prominent international experts from Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Asian Ecotourism Network and five local tourism-related experts as speakers.

She said the seminar would serve as an essential and effective platform for participants to gain an insightful understanding of the international sustainable practices, contextual issues in Sabah, as well as setting vision and clear direction to transform Sabah into one green destination.

“With this move forward, profit from tourism business will be sustained and enhanced, tourism nature resources will be well conserved and preserved, and the well-being of communities will be enhanced,” she added.

-- BERNAMA