Bakun offers huge tourism potential

It has yet to be fully explored and promoted but most of the tourism-related industry players believe once the facilities are in place, it will become one of the world’s ‘must-go’ tourist destinations.

The Sungai Asap resettlement scheme was set up in 1998 to accommodate some 15,000 people from 15 longhouses who had to be relocated from their original villages in Balui River to make way for the Bakun Hydro project.

Principal Assistant Secretary to the Tourism Ministry Mary Wan Mering said travel agents needed to come up with exciting packages.

“I am happy that the longhouse folks are trying to start homestay programmes to improve their living standard. The ministry is hopeful their initiative will ensure the success of homestay programmes in Sungai Asap,” she said at the recent launching of the Uma Belor Leo Dian Belaga homestay programme.

“Homestay operators in Uma Belor must learn from successful operators through educational visits to Peninsular Malaysia. This will be one of the ministry’s plans.”

Mary hoped the locals would take advantage on what Bakun could offer, especially in ecotourism.

“The potential is there to be tapped. The people must seize the opportunity to benefit from this unique tourism asset,” she said.

Meanwhile, Samuel Chung, managing director of Straits Central Travel & Tour Agencies disclosed at the launching of Uma Belor Sungai Asap home-stay that six travel agents participated in the Bakun familiarisation trip.

“We have been to few longhouses. They are among the best products that can be commercialised locally and internationally,” he said.

Air connection

He suggested travel agents work with the local airline to promote Uma Belor as a transit point.

“With the help of the Tourism Ministry, we have talked to the airline to give us a special fare. I hope this will materialise soon. I have spoken to general manager of MasWing and he has agreed to hold further discussions on the matter.

“We want to concentrate on eco-tourism — the people come here for Nature. We also want to help train local tour guides to protect the interests of the local people. We are fully committed to this,” he added.

Chung also suggested a tourism task group be formed to educate the homestay operators on the tourism industry.

Earlier, during an interview, he described Bakun as a very interesting new product.

“Of course, we have the Batang Ai Dam which is beautiful as well but Bakun dam is something else – it’s one of the biggest in the world. So it’s the job for the tourism people to develop the area as a tourism product.

“We travel agents need new products. Here, we need the government to help us promote these products. If we market on our own, it’s not easy. It’s important to let people know what we can offer. Familiarisation trips can be organised for foreign travel agents to come here and look at our products,” he added.

On the local community, he said their different ethnic backgrounds were attractions in themselves.

“We can combine this with Nature, culture and adventure. If we are to develop this, the locals need to be involved.

“Few other countries have things like pristine jungles, unspoilt flora and fauna as well as agro-tourism. Moreover, we have other beautiful tourism products like natural waterfalls and traditional longhouses, and tourism activities like boat rides and fishing. All these are available in Bakun.”

On the safety of Bakun reservoir, he said there was risk everywhere, not only in Bakun.

“It’s a protected area — there must be guided tours and beyond Bakun, you’ll see the lake and floating chalets — all these are exotic tourist attractions.

“Bakun is one of the attractions in Borneo. It is something tourists do not see in their countries. This is what tourism is all about. We want to see something we don’t have,” Chung explained.

Source - theborneopost