By WU VUIDE
KOTA BELUD: The Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp) must move beyond international recognition and demonstrate measurable benefits to local communities, including jobs, income and business opportunities.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the next phase should focus on measuring the economic impact of the Geopark more systematically.
He said there was not yet a system to accurately determine how much income or how many jobs had been created directly as a result of the UNESCO recognition.
“We do not want merely to say that the Geopark brings benefits. We want to be able to demonstrate those benefits through reliable data in the future,” he said at the Kota Belud District Geopark Tamu.
Jafry said KUGGp had recorded encouraging developments since receiving UNESCO recognition on May 24, 2023, including increased visitor numbers, more tourism products, community participation and infrastructure development.
At Walai Tobilung, visitor numbers rose from 2,731 in 2023 to 4,902 in 2024 and 5,730 last year.
In Kampung Kiau, community-based tourism products include homestays, local coffee and pineapple-based enterprises involving farmers and village women.
At SK Sayap in Kota Belud, the school community and surrounding area have developed nearly 38 tourism products covering accommodation, nature activities, food, history, culture and the arts.
Jafry said about RM5.24 million was recorded for Geopark-related activities and development between 2021 and 2026, including community development, education, research, promotion, geotourism and site development.
Of this amount, about RM1.266 million involved development contributions for community-related and tourism projects.
He said KUGGp must now focus on ensuring communities benefited from the Geopark, strengthening its identity as a geotourism destination and protecting its natural and cultural heritage.
The Geopark covers Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Ranau, which he said should be developed as a connected landscape offering complementary tourism experiences.
KUGGp underwent its first revalidation assessment from Aug 10 to 14 this year. Jafry said the initial feedback was positive, with evaluators noting improvements in conservation, support for local communities and guides, geological interpretation and management.
However, the official UNESCO decision had yet to be finalised.
He said the assessment also identified areas for improvement, including signage, Geopark education in interior schools, visitor safety, facilities and geological interpretation at geosites and community tourism locations.
The ministry would treat the feedback as a work agenda for the next phase, including creating more employment opportunities and career pathways for local communities.
Jafry said the annual Geopark Tamu should also serve as more than an event, providing a platform for communities to promote local products, food, culture and tourism experiences.
This year’s event in Kota Belud followed previous editions in Kota Marudu in 2024 and Kundasang, Ranau, in 2025.
Jafry’s speech was read by Sabah Parks director Datuk Dr Maklarin Lakim.
‘We do not want merely to say that the Geopark brings benefits. We want to be able to demonstrate those benefits through reliable data in the future’ – Jafry
