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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Input from the World Tourism Conference 2010 to aid Sabah Tourism Master Plan

Kota Kinabalu: Information gathered from the World Tourism Conference 2010 will become the input for the Sabah Tourism Master Plan study to set the pace and direction of tourism development for the next 15 years.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said tourism was not just about physical infrastructure, more so now in this competitive business environment.

"It is about embracing both nature and culture. It is imperative that we take great care and carefully preserve our natural and cultural resources, especially if they are concerned with significant aspects of our heritage and identity.

"Sabah is blessed and very proud of its multi-cultural and natural legacies," he said, when closing the World Tourism Conference 2010 at Magellan Sutera, Tuesday. His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said since tourism in Sabah is in many ways linked with the environment, the State Government advocates sustainable development tailored to conservation needs.

"We have formulated our own key result areas for the tourism sector, which include increase in environmental protection and conservation, protection of biodiversity, and an increase in contribution from the tourism sector to our economy," he said.

"We are also subscribing to sustainable development in creating a competitive tourism sector and protection of our cultural heritage," he said.

Musa also reiterated that the State Government recognised that tourism and its development need to be sustainable for long-term growth and generation of benefits that required careful thought and planning from project design all the way to implementation.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the tourism sector to go green by coming up with eco-friendly products and services.

I realise that it will not be easy to do this overnight and I hope you will at least start by taking small steps that will eventually accumulate to make a difference," he said.

He said there was also a growing trend among travelers who opt for tour operators, resort and hotels that are able to keep their carbon footprint low.

Continue reading at: Input from the World Tourism Conference 2010 to aid Sabah Tourism Master Plan
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