Keningau holding Durian Tourism Bazaar
KENINGAU (Aug 24): The Sabah Durian Tourism Bazaar 2024 officially launched on Saturday, is aimed at encouraging more agro entrepreneurs to engage in agrotourism.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan when officiating the event, said the event is expected to encourage more agro entrepreneurs to open their farms to the public as one of the alternatives in increasing their source of income.
“Apart from that, events like this also provide a platform for information exchange on agrotourism.
“I believe that durian agro-tourism not only gives satisfaction to local durian lovers, but is also able to attract international tourists, especially from China, Brunei and Hong Kong, to come to Malaysia to experience this unique experience for themselves,” he said.
According to Khairul, the Sabah Durian Tourism Bazaar is a continuation of the Durian Tourism 2024 package, which was launched on June 27 at Broga Orchard Hill Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan.
The sales value of the Durian Tourism package for 2022 was RM107,000 and this figure continued to rise to RM1.6 million in 2023.
Looking at the sales performance and the overwhelming response, the 2024 Durian Tourism Package was extended to Sabah, covering 12 states in Malaysia compared to only seven states in 2023 and three states in 2022.
“Durian Tourism this year is one of Tourism Malaysia’s initiatives to increase the variety of tourism package offerings in our country.
“With good cooperation between local tour operators, agro-tourism operators and related parties, Tourism Malaysia is able to introduce more tourist destinations that have the potential to have a positive impact on local economic activities ahead of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“Such a programme provides great benefits to plant and durian-based product operators through income generation, tour results and activities carried out in durian cultivation areas apart from the direct sale of durian products.
“In short, Durian Tourism does not just offer the experience of enjoying fresh and delicious durian fruit, but tourists can also appreciate the beauty of nature and local culture while also understanding the heritage and life of the people in Malaysia,” he said.
Sabah Durian Tourism Bazaar 2024 takes place on August 24-25 at The Durian Valley, Keningau in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Tourism Board (STB), MATTA Sabah Chapter and Sabah Durian and Tropical Fruits Association (MaSDa).
According to MaSDa president Duane Evans, there are 30 entrepreneurs and small traders stalls selling durian, fruits, food and drinks, ready to be visited.
“Various additional programmes are implemented to attract visitors to this bazaar such as the Durian Race competition, children’s coloring and drawing competition, creative cake decorating competition as well as cultural performances and music,” Evans said.
The event was also attended by Community Development and People’s Well-Being Minister, Datuk James Ratib; Keningau District Officer, Peter Jonu Moinjil; chairman of De Green Farm, Tracey Liew and chairman of Sabah Urban Development Corporation, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
-Agency
