After eight years of being guided by Borneo Eco Tours,
Kiulu Farmstay, a community-based tourism project, has transitioned
from private tour company management to the hands of the local
communities.
This has given local communities more control over their products and
will enhance cultural preservation. With the recent signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Borneo Eco Tours managing director
Albert Teo and villagers, Sikong Moringo and Tuwin Gumporoh, this marked
the transfer of ownership of Kiulu Farmstay to the villagers who are
the rightful landowners of Kiulu Farmstay.
Sabah Tourism Board chairman, Joniston Bangkuai, who also serves as
assistant minister of tourism, culture, and environment, lauded Borneo
Eco Tours’ visionary project, highlighting how it has served as a
“trailblazing model” for community-based tourism in Kiulu.
With the local communities now in charge, Kiulu Farmstay is
well-positioned to offer enhanced tourism experiences. By taking
ownership of their tourism initiatives, the communities can continue
showcasing their unique products authentically and sustainably, he
added.
Sabah Tourism Board’s Joniston Bangkuai Noredah Othman (standing, middle) witnessing the signing of MoU between Borneo Eco Tours’ Albert Teo (seated, middle) and villagers. Photo Credit: Sabah Tourism Board
Joniston was confident that this transition will bring great economic
benefits as the communities will directly benefit from tourism revenue,
which can then be reinvested into community projects and create new
employment opportunities.
How it started
In 2015, Borneo Eco Tours formed the Kiulu Farmstay as a
community-based ecotourism project aimed at growing the tourism
potential of the Kiulu area.
The early phase of the project involved three villages: Kampung
Mantob, Kampung Dumpiring, and Kampung Pinagon Baru. These communities
became key members of the Mukim Ulu Kiulu Ecotourism Solutions and
Technologies (MUKEST) Society, a community-based organisation
established by BEST Society, the NGO arm of Borneo Eco Tours.
Patient giving
For eight years, efforts were undertaken to support the communities
in their transition to becoming product owners by equipping them with
management, infrastructure development, and marketing skills, among
others.
"We want to make sure the communities can manage their products
successfully, and we want them to have the freedom to obtain business
from other (tour companies) rather than solely relying on Borneo Eco
Tours so that others can support and collaborate with them.
"As the initiator, Borneo Eco Tours is happy to hand over Kiulu
Farmstay assets worth more than RM270,000 (US$57,884) to the community.
We will continue to assist Kiulu Farmstay in promoting and marketing
tourism products," Teo said.
Creating new tourism options
The DMC has also created new tourism products in Kiulu, such as the
Bamboo Hut Village, Borneo Quad Biking, Kiulu Homestays, guided tours,
and Obstacle Course. It hires and trains local community leaders for
daily operations, homestay operations, basic bookkeeping and guiding. It
also provides logistical support by extending transportation services
for tourists to and from Kiulu while helping with marketing efforts
through tour packaging and sales.
These efforts aimed at capacity building, operational support, and
resource provision have helped to ensure the empowerment and long-term
sustainability of the project.
Source: M&C Asia