KUCHING: Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit noted that there were many potential tourism spots along the Jalan Puncak Borneo that have been identified but promised to reveal them only if the Bidayuhs in the area participate actively
in the tourism potential there.
Dawos stated this in his speech at the state level Gawai open house celebration at Kupo Saba, Annah Rais near Jalan Puncak Borneo about 90 km from here last Saturday night.
“Along Jalan Puncak Borneo there are many yet-to-be discovered but potential places including caves, the jungle with its unique flora and fauna as well as the rivers. However I will only reveal those places if I see many Bidayuhs taking part in developing the tourism industry in the constituency.
“This is a good opportunity to help generate a better income for the people here who are involved in the (tourism) industry,” said Dawos who is also MP for Mambong.
Speaking of one famous spot, the Anah Rais hot spring, he proposed that a study on the carrying capacity of the spring be conducted to improve the facilities there.
Dawos highlighted that the research was vital to overcome any damage that might be caused at the tourism spot because of the increased capacity of the visitors in the future.
“The hot spring has received many visitors and the number is increasing. What worries me is the damage that will be caused by the presence of too many visitors.
“We should look for methods to avoid this from happening while allowing more visitors to enjoy the spring.
“Maybe we could collaborate with University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) for this purpose,” he said.
On the Gawai event, Dawos said as the annual event named Gawai Tourism this year would be changed to Gawai Homestay next year as an effort aimed at promoting the homestay programme in the area.
He commended the efforts by the committee members in organising the event including the excellent programmes lined up for guests from near and far, local and foreign, who came to attend the open house.
Guests were served with local delicacies prepared by the villagers.
There were also traditional performances by the women from the villages in the area.
Also present were Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social and Urban Development Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, organising chairman Cr. Edward Kurik, Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben, Opar assemblyman Ranum Mina and villages head.
Earlier in the morning a total of 55 Bidayuh golfers participated in the Bidayuh Highland Golf Tournament 2011 at the Borneo Highland Resort Golf and Country Club.