KOTA KINABALU: Rural tourism operators are encouraged to gain risk management knowledge in order to provide a safer environment for their visitors.

       Assistant Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said it was important to provide excellent services and ensure zero accidents at tourism centres.

       "We want repeat visitors in tourism. We don't want anything unpleasant to happen to our guests because it will reflect poorly on us. The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) encourages rural communities to take advantage of upskilling opportunities,” he said.

       "If visitors are satisfied with our management, of course they will return. Hence, it is important for us to give our excellent services and STB has special allocation to support upskilling courses," added Bangkuai.

       Bangkuai, who is also the STB chairman, was speaking at the closing of the Kiulu Tourism Association’s (KTA) capacity building programme. He had also launched a multipurpose hall at Monggoluton River View and Picnic Centre here on Tuesday (Nov 16).

       Bangkuai said STB's goal is for the rustic Kiulu area to be recognised as a world-class rural tourism destination, similar to Kadamaian, which received the 2019-2020 Asean Standard Award.

       Some 25 KTA members and tourism operators attended the capacity building course held at the newly-constructed multipurpose hall, which was part of the Sabah New Deal.

       The course focused on how to handle risk professionally in situations such as drowning, being lost in the jungle, suffering injuries, among other things.