Workshop to shed more light on dark tourism

By TIN Media | Sabah Published 1 year ago on 23 July 2022
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SABAH:

 A three-day workshop on dark tourism is aimed at clearing any misunderstanding about the newly-promoted segment, which some have nicknamed “ghost tourism”.“There are many perceptions about dark tourism that are incorrect. People believe it is about paranormal (activities) but it’s actually focusing on locations where historical events or past tragedies that claimed lives have happened.“It’s meant to make us appreciate our history.

“In fact, dark tourism has long been promoted in Western countries but this concept, which was mooted last year, is relatively new in Sabah,” said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin when opening the workshop yesterday.

Organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), the workshop saw 60 participants, including district officers, tourism agency officers and representatives from the Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah.

Jafry said besides tapping into a new segment to boost the tourism industry in Sabah, dark tourism had the potential to lure the film industry into documenting the locations.

“Dark tourism can also offer more job opportunities and income for the locals while adding value to other tourism products in that particular area, such as ecotourism and homestays.

“I hope this workshop will give more exposure to the participants so they can pursue this new concept,” he added.

Participants will also take part in a field tour during the workshop to places like the Petagas memorial park, Double 6 memorial monument and Sulug island.

STB board of director member, Roslinah Abdul Hamid, who is in charge of Sabah’s dark tourism segment, said she hoped the local authorities would help them identify potential areas to be developed.

Other events and locations that could be marketed under dark tourism are the Tropical Storm Greg tragedy in Keningau and a small fort during the Japanese occupation in Kampung Binunuk, Beaufort.


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