Geopark status must benefit villagers: Ewon

Story illustration — AI illustration · not a photograph of the event

KOTA BELUD: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Unesco recognition of Kinabalu Global Geopark must be translated into tangible economic benefits for the people, particularly communities around Mount Kinabalu.

He said the recognition is significant for Sabah, but follow-up efforts are needed to increase incomes, create job opportunities and improve the livelihoods of local communities.

“The major challenge for all of us is how to translate Unesco recognition into economic activities that the people can benefit from.

“This recognition carries great significance because our key natural treasure, Mount Kinabalu, has received Unesco recognition. Hopefully, this recognition can be translated into economic benefits for Sabah as a whole, particularly the people and communities around Mount Kinabalu,” Ewon said.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Kota Belud Geopark Market, held as part of the Tamu Besar Kota Belud Festival 2026, here, Sunday.

Ewon, who is also Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, said Kota Belud has strong potential to develop tourism-based economic activities because it possessed a comprehensive range of natural attractions.

He said the district’s natural assets included islands, the sea, beaches, rivers, forests, hills and Mount Kinabalu, which should be promoted through the development of tourism packages and distinctive branding.

“We have Mantanani Island, the sea, beaches, Kadamaian River, Tampasuk River and Mount Kinabalu. From the mountain peak to the sea, everything is available within one district.

“Our challenge now is how to develop these natural assets into a tourism package with distinctive branding for Kota Belud, particularly in the context of Kinabalu Geopark,” he said.

Ewon said marketing and branding strategies needed to be strengthened to attract more tourists and expand income-generating opportunities for local communities.

He added that the benefits of tourism should also reach homestay operators, tour guides, food businesses, handicraft makers and small traders.

“When tourists visit, we want them to enjoy the natural beauty, learn about the local community’s culture and purchase products made by local residents. In this way, the economic benefits can be shared by more members of the community,” he said.

Ewon said close cooperation between the ministry responsible for tourism and his ministry was essential to jointly develop tourism packages and local products.

He said while tourism fell under the services sector, products purchased by tourists, such as clothing, machetes, food and other local produce, also involved the manufacturing sector.

“Therefore, there must be close cooperation between the ministry responsible for tourism and my ministry so that tourism packages and local products can be developed together,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ewon said Unesco recognition also brought a responsibility for communities in the Kinabalu area to conserve their natural heritage and respect local customary laws and cultural traditions.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, particularly Sabah Parks, for organising the Geopark Market, which has become an annual event following the recognition of Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark (KUGGp) in 2023.

Source: Daily Express — MY ↗