SANDAKAN: Sabah is strengthening sustainable tourism management through a three-day training programme here organised by the Sabah Tourism Board in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, focusing on the Destination Standard, was launched by State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
The programme brings together about 32 participants from government agencies, destination management organisations and tourism-related bodies across Sabah, including Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kota Kinabalu and Kudat.
In his speech on Tuesday, Jafry said the training would help strengthen stakeholders’ knowledge and skills in sustainable destination management, particularly on Sabah’s East Coast.
He also welcomed the course trainer, Mochamed Nalendra, a certified GSTC trainer from Wise Step Consulting, Bandung, Indonesia.
Jafry highlighted the East Coast’s rich natural attractions, including Danum Valley, Sipadan Island Park and the Kinabatangan River, which draw visitors from around the world.
He said protecting these natural assets while supporting local communities was essential to maintaining Sabah’s position as a leading ecotourism destination.
“Tourism cannot thrive in isolation from environment and community well-being. If we are to secure our position as a world-class eco-tourism destination, we must ensure our destinations are managed sustainably, ethically, and strategically,” he said.
He added that the training would equip participants with a better understanding of international sustainability standards and practical approaches to tourism management that benefit local communities while protecting the environment.
The programme will also include a field visit to KOPEL in Kampung Batu Puteh, Kinabatangan, on its third day. Participants will learn how community-led ecotourism supports local livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
On the same day, Bilit Adventure Lodge is scheduled to receive its GSTC certification certificate from Vireo, reflecting the tourism industry’s efforts to adopt internationally recognised sustainability standards.
Jafry urged participants to actively engage in the training, share their experiences and develop practical action plans for implementation in their respective districts.
He stressed that sustainable tourism was no longer simply a marketing strategy but a key requirement for the future of the industry.
He said cooperation among tourism operators, regulators and destination managers was crucial to ensuring tourism development remained responsible while safeguarding Sabah’s natural heritage and supporting local communities. – James Leong
Jafry (third from right), with officials and participants of the three-day GSTC training programme.
