BAU, July 28: Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom urges Bau folks to take advantage of the natural tourist attractions in their area to earn better income through spillovers of tourism.
He said the people of rural Bau should strive to find more products that could attract tourists to their area.
“Therefore get to know what the visitors and tourists want, then prepare the products based on that – could be handicrafts, homestays or even tour packages,” said Dr Rundi when when officiating the three-day Fairy Cave Festival 2019 here yesterday.
“We may take for granted the attractions in our area because we see it every day. But for tourists or first timers coming here like me, I find this place very beautiful,” he adding that not only Bau has Serikin, Siniawan Old Town and the Paku Hotsprings but also the marvellous Fairy Cave.
Citing Sabah as an example, he said because Sabah manages to sustain its attractions and tourism products, the state managed to have excellent direct international air connectivity.
“We must work hard to attract visitors and tourists here. We must make this sustainable otherwise our direct international air connectivity would be cancelled over time.
“We already have all the attractions and nature, it is up to us to work it out and come out with our products,” said Rundi.
He also contributed RM20,000 to the Fairy Cave Cooperative for the committee to organise various activities and tourism related programmes.
Meanwhile Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh requested the Sarawak government that once the renovation and beautification works of the Fairy Cave is completed, the management of maintenance to be handed over to the Fairy Cave Cooperative which is operated by residents of Kampung Krokong and Kampung Tringgus.
“This is so that the rural people can benefit from the tourism spillovers here while at the same time they may also raise funds to organise various tourism activities here,” he said— DayakDaily
