SANDAKAN, 18 OCTOBER 2025 – The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the Malaysian Homestay Experience Program (PPHM) has launched the Community-Based Tourism Destination (CoBT) of Kampung Bambangan, Batu Sapi, Sandakan, Sabah which was officiated by YB Datuk Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Kampung Bambangan is the first cluster of PPHM in Sandakan, offering a unique experience for tourists to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the local community. Among the main attractions are picnicking activities at Jeti Lagenda, visits to a soft crab factory, fishing activities at a fishing house, and a River Cruise experience that traverses the beauty of the mangrove swamps of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Its location near Sepilok, the Rainforest Discovery Centre and the Sandakan Memorial Park makes this destination part of a complete tourism package in Sandakan.
YB Deputy Minister in his speech also expressed appreciation to the Kampung Bambangan community for the spirit of mutual cooperation, unity and togetherness which reflects MADANI values such as Sustainability, Wellbeing and Respect in empowering community tourism. He also stressed that the willingness of the residents to receive tourists proves the commitment of the local community in fostering the spirit of hospitality, belonging and social inclusion which is the core of community-based tourism.
In 2024, Sabah recorded RM15.1 million through PPHM with a total tourist arrival of 202,053 people consisting of 135,542 domestic tourists and 66,511 international tourists. While until August 2025, it recorded a record income of RM13.1 million, with a total tourist arrival of 161,318 people, consisting of 115,069 domestic tourists and 46,249 international tourists. The state also houses 39 homestay clusters, 135 villages, 33 kampungstays, 525 participants and 7 active cooperatives which are the main drivers of the tourism community economy in Sabah.
Ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), MOTAC will continue to strengthen the implementation of community-based tourism in line with the values of MADANI Creativity, particularly through support in training, promotion and infrastructure development to enhance the competitiveness of the rural tourism sector. Quoting the YB Deputy Minister, “When tourists come to Bambangan, they don’t just see a place, but they experience the love, culture and beauty of the true Sabah community.”
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Issued by:
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE (MOTAC)
Tel: 03-8000 8000 Fax: 03-88917181
Website: www.motac.gov.my Email: group.ukk@motac.gov.my
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