KOTA KINABALU: The Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FPEP) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Department of City Tourism Development, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), organised a Tour Package Development and E-Marketing Course for the community in Kampung Darau, Inanam, recently.
The course was officiated by the Director of the Department of City Tourism Development, DBKK, Fauziahton Ag. Samad.
In her speech, she said the programme was part of DBKK’s initiative on capacity building for the community in preparing themselves to start tourism activities in their village.
“Kampung Darau has been attracting lots of interests as one of the emerging community-based tourism sites in the city when DBKK did an official Tourism Product Potential Audit last year.
“By that, there will be six more courses in the next three months with the collaboration between DBKK and UMS to support the community-based tourism development here,” she said.
Two lecturers from UMS invited to share their knowledge and ideas to succeed in the course.
The Head of Tourism Management Program FPEP UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul assisted the community in visualising and developing the tourism package.
He identified and discussed potential tourism attractions activities and access, accommodation, and amenities in the village.
Another speaker, Dr. Kelvin Yong, taught the community the effective e-marketing tool that fits community-based tourism. He also shares how to operate social media apps to communicate tourism products to future markets.
32 villagers participated in the course, which was held strictly following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the National Security Council (NSC).
The one-day course also received good reaction from the community.
The Chairman for Village Development and Security Committee, Anan Usoh, said they gained many inputs and ideas, including identifying the village’s existing tourism and craft products that needed more innovation and promotion.
“Apart from that, the community received new knowledge on essential methods for e-marketing as the world today is just at our fingertips.
“Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok are helpful to promote Kampung Darau as the next tourism destination.
“We would like to thank the parties involved in the Kampung Darau course, namely DBKK and UMS.
“Not forgetting the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) State Legislative Assembly (DUN) of Darau, and all participants who attended,” he added.
Meanwhile, in his statement, Awangku Hassanal explains that FPEP UMS had already worked together with DBKK to develop community-based tourism for the sub-urban area of Kota Kinabalu, particularly Kampung Kobuni in Inanam.
“I hope this course will help the local community benefit from the guidance given and gain more confidence in running tourism activities in their village.
“There is a significant potential for Kampung Darau to be a community-based tourism destination due to its beautiful river, mangrove, and exciting wildlife such as beavers and birds.
“The culture of the local community is also interesting, especially with the barter trade market and gastronomy,” he said.
