Hajiji: Major events at Unesco geopark in Sabah benefit local communities

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism activities at Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark are providing opportunities for local communities to benefit from visitors drawn to Sabah's natural landscapes, cultural heritage and outdoor attractions.

Weekend events such as the Tamu Besar Kota Belud and the 33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon highlight the potential of nature-based and cultural tourism to support small businesses, including food operators, farmers, handicraft producers, traders and homestay operators.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the 148-year-old Tamu Besar Kota Belud, about 90 minutes drive from here, was an important annual event in Sabah's tourism calendar, showcasing local culture, traditional food, handicrafts and community life.

He said the event was more than a marketplace, serving as a social meeting place for people of different ethnicities and religions while creating economic opportunities for the local community.

"With this approach, the benefits of tourism are not concentrated solely among the industry and large operators, but also reach homestay operators, farmers, livestock breeders, small traders, food operators, handicraft producers and the local community," he said.

Hajiji was speaking during the 2026 Tamu Besar Kota Belud celebration at the district's weekly tamu grounds on Saturday.

The district has been part of the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark since May 2023, highlighting its potential as a tourism destination.

Hajiji said Kota Belud offered various tourism experiences, including adventure, recreation, cultural and nature-based activities, with its islands and rivers among the attractions for visitors.

Meanwhile, the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon attracted runners from 26 countries to Kinabalu Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site recognised in 2000 and part of the geopark.

The 33rd edition featured a challenging 24.5km course from the lower reaches of Mount Kinabalu to its summit at 4,095.2m before descending through the mountain's rugged terrain.

Italy's Alex Oberbacher won the men's elite category in 3:20.54, while Spain's June Villaroel claimed the women's elite title in 4:09.14.

Russia's Markov Evegenii won the men's veteran category in 3:29.11.

The event also marked the 17th stop of the 2026 Merrell Skyrunner World Series, strengthening Mount Kinabalu's profile among international mountain-running enthusiasts.

Oberbacher said his six-day stay in Sabah had given him time to explore beyond the competition.

"I've travelled a long way to be here and I have six days, so I have time to see a little bit of the things around here. It's really, really nice," he said.

Villaroel also praised Sabah's natural beauty and expressed her intention to return after her week-long stay.

"Sabah is amazing. I didn't really have the chance to know it as I was only here for a week, but I really want to come back already. It's super beautiful," she said.

The Climbathon followed the Timpohon Run 2026, held a day before at the same place, which brought together 331 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines ahead of the main event.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the Climbathon strengthened Sabah's reputation as an international destination for adventure, nature and sporting events.

He said such competitions provided opportunities to showcase Sabah to international visitors while allowing Malaysian and Sabahan athletes to compete alongside international runners.

The Climbathon was organised by the Sabah Tourism Board through its subsidiary, Sri Pelancongan Sabah, in collaboration with Sabah Parks.