KOTA KINABALU: A village in rural Kinabatangan has been recognised as one of the world's 44 "best tourism villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in its inaugural awards.

       Representatives from Kampung Batu Puteh, a community-based tourism operation run by Batu Puteh Community Tourism Co-operative, Kopel Bhd, accepted the award in Madrid, Spain during the 24th UNWTO general assembly on Thursday (Dec 2).

       Located 40km from Tawau town, the village was nominated online by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

       According to a Sabah Tourism Board (STB) statement on Friday (Dec 3), there were over 170 applications from 75 countries for the awards, which recognise villages with outstanding values and actions in the development of rural tourism.

       A total of 44 villages from 32 countries received the recognition.

       Kg Batu Puteh was selected based on cultural and natural richness as well as its commitment to sustainability.

       Kopel Bhd went into community-based tourism back in 2000 with the opening of Sabah’s first homestay programme Miso Walai Homestay.

       The village offers boat services, guide services, cultural music and dance programmes, as well as forest conservation initiatives undertaken to protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

       Kopel Bhd chief executive officer Martin Vogel said in the STB statement that the achievement was a huge boost to their team morale after 18 months of pandemic losses and zero international tourism income.

       “Kopel hopes this recognition helps promote rural and community based-tourism in Malaysia and bring back international tourists, especially to Sabah and the Kinabatangan region,” he added.

       State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the award solidifies the efforts put in by the Batu Puteh community and serves as a great motivation for them to continue their efforts in sustainability.

       “I am aware that rural tourism is not entirely a new niche segment for tourism in Sabah.

       “However, seeing the importance of further growing and supporting such industry players, (the ministry) has taken the initiative to amplify promotion efforts since 2014,” he said, adding that among its achievements are the setting up of tourism councils in each district.