Ministry all out to help promote Ba Kelalan

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PICKING LOCAL PRODUCE: A tourist from New Zealand plucks an apple from an apple farm in Ba kelalan. He is staying at a homestay there. — Bernama photo

BA KELALAN: The Federal Ministry of Tourism is ready to provide the local community here with the necessary knowledge and skills to promote and market their hamlet in the interior of Lawas in Limbang as a
prime destination for cultural and eco tourism in the state.

Assistant director of Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Radiah Muhamad, at the opening of the first series of Tourism Awareness Course held at the community hall here, disclosed that the area was blessed and rich with both natural and cultural wonders which are unique.

“The ministry believes and is confident that these aspects will be able to attract tourists not only from within the country but also worldwide,” she said.

She further said that all the locals needed to do was to know and be aware of the benefits they would enjoy if they participated in the tourism industry, such as identifying the business types that they would excel in.

More than 90 participants took part in the course organised by Tourism Malaysia Sarawak office here yesterday.

On homestay, Radiah said it was one of the programmes in the tourism industry that could generate income for the local community.

“The local lifestyle can allure visitors from overseas as it is unique and far different from theirs,” she added.

However, she advised that homestays should be registered with the Federal Ministry of Tourism, and adhere to the guidelines set by the ministry to ensure that visitors enjoy their stay.

“It is important for the host to provide experience that is out of this world to tourists as the good name and reputation of our country are at stake here,” she reminded the participants.

Meanwhile, a total of 14 individuals or families in Ba Kelalan had been certified by the ministry to provide homestay programmes in the area, with the number expected to increase in view of the potential that the area had to offer and the eagerness shown by the local community towards the programme.

Penghulu George Sigar was among those present.