KUCHING: There is a need to improve on the facility management of the state’s popular national parks, said Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Based on the feedback received from tourists, there is room for improvement when it comes to the facilities in our national parks.
“Our national parks are very popular, especially the ones that are nearer to the city, and we have learned that some facilities aren’t up to standard,” he said, adding that facilities such as the chalets and toilets have been scrutinised,” he said during a press conference at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.
He added that the national parks in the state were currently under the management of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and not under the purview of his ministry.
“Since these parks are frequently visited by tourists, it should be a joint management and we are still looking into it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister also spoke on the lack of licensed tourist guides in the state and that tourist guides licences were another area that needs to be relooked.
“Unregistered tourist guides come into play because there aren’t enough registered ones due to the high cost and that the process of getting a licence is difficult,” he said.
Karim also added that homestays would be looked into as he felt that the ones outside of the city were the ones that should be focused on.
“I personally believe that homestays should be developed outside of the city because there are some tourists who want the feel of nature.
“There are also some tourists who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience something that is different.
“Right now, the ones being promoted are the ones in and around Kuching city,” he said.
Earlier on, Karim attended the ‘Sarawak Dialogue 2018: Sarawak Tourism Blueprint’ which was also held at the hotel.
