RM20,000 tourism grants deadline ends on Aug 8

KOTA BELUD: The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry received 50 tourism development grant applications from all over the State, to date.

The Ministry’s Development and Planning Unit Assistant Secretary Dayang Nurzilah Ag Kachee said the government has provided RM10 million for the grant where each successful applicant will receive RM20,000.

“As such, I hope tourism operators, especially rural community-based tourism centres to grab the opportunity as soon as possible before the deadline on Aug 8,” she said during a meeting with community-based tourism operators in Kadamaian constituency, here.

Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Kadamaian assemblyman, said such ventures can help revive the State’s economy.

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“Sabah’s tourism industry was badly affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially when the borders were closed and the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented.

“The State Government is concerned with the affects of the pandemic to the economy and had introduced two aid packages with a total allocation of RM910 million.

“Among the packages is the RM10 million tourism development grant where registered community-based tourism and homestay operators are eligible to apply for the special grant to improve the facilities in their respective premises.” Ewon said the people can help revive the State’s economy by supporting rural community-based tourism.

“I am confident many of such ventures offer attractive packages,” he said.

He also pledged to continue develop such industry in Kadamaian.

“Within the two-year period, we had upgraded roads to tourism centres, and we also improved hall’s facilities, observation platforms, routes and other assistance.

“However, there are many things to be done so that we can provide better facilities to tourists.

“That is why I invited Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry’s officials to brief local operators on the grants apart from visiting some of the centres that need the attention from the Ministry.”

Ewon said Malaysians in Sabah can help revive domestic economic activities by supporting community-based tourism operators in rural areas. “I am very confident that many operators are offering attractive and pleasing packages. In the last two years, we have upgraded the roads leading to the tourism centre, hall facilities, survey platforms, tourist routes, entrepreneurial buildings and some other assistance.

Meanwhile, KEPKASS Development and Planning Unit Assistant Secretary Dayang Nurzilah Ag. Kachee said, so far they have received a total of 50 tourism development grant applications from all over Sabah including Kota Belud, Ranau, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Sipitang and Beaufort.

“The government has allocated RM10 million for tourism development grants, where each application will receive RM20,000. Also present was Kadamaian community development officer Saikom Watis.

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After the meeting, Ewon brought the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry’s officials to several eco-tourism centres in Kadamaian.

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