Policies - Official Web Site of Ministry Of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), Sabah, Malaysia

In addition to the objectives set out, the Ministry also has 19 key policy guidelines which are as follows:-

High emphasis to be placed on the orderly development of tourism and to attain maximum economic benefit from the industry. Development of the industry is urgently required to bring it to maturity in the shortest possible time.
Tourism development to be tailored in line with the State's unique characteristic of "unspoilt nature".
Encouraging tourism to spread into the rural regions rather than concentrate in the towns so that village communities can benefit directly from tourism.
The principle of balance, which ensures that decisions about the exploitation of the State's natural resources cannot be taken on economic grounds alone. It involves also technical and environmental considerations.
The principle planning, the integration and coordinating of all governmental decision making to ensure that the principle of balance is maintained and that social, economic or environmental damage is prevented.
The principle of universality pertains to the extent to which no one set of values is favoured to the disadvantages of any other. Decisions must be based on all factors under consideration.
Development of tourism industry to be carried out in the most expedient and cost effective manner. All plans and projects/programs must be carried out only after serious studies have been conducted to determine their viability or necessity.
Minimise negative socio-cultural and environmental impact of tourism in the process of development.
The development of the industry to follow closely the Malaysian Incorporated Concept with public sector playing the coordinating, supporting and facilitating role. Nevertheless, it should take up a pioneering role in vital projects that the private sector is not prepared to undertake.
To place and emphasis on activities showing our unique cultures, art and handicrafts as well as the beautiful attractions of the tourism resources of Malaysia.
To co-operate with Sarawak in tourism development for the benefits of the two States.
To develop tourism as a potentially dynamic growing industry so that sustained long term economic growth could be brought to the State.
To create an awareness about the potential of the tourism industry in Malaysia.
To protect and conserve nature, forest and wildlife where such promotion is not in conflict with other forms of desirable development in the State.
To protect and conserve, and at the same time make accessible, as much as possible, its natural environment and habitats.
To promote Sabah's natural attraction which include our nature and heritage, cultures, tropical islands, beaches, marine life and water-based activity, and animal sanctuaries.
To harmonise the relationship between tourism and culture without hurting the sensitivities of various ethnic groups in Sabah.
To ensure that cultural associations are geared toward enforcing and strengthening the faith of the native people and their respective cultures, i.e. preserving our cultural heritage.
To create an awareness among people that the tourism industry is an important revenue source.

The State government recognizes that the orderly development of tourism is an important source of diversification to the State economy. Such orderly development involves both the promotion of active participation by the private sector as well as ensuring sustainable development to ensure that long lasting benefits are generated within the State. This Policy contains :-

The emphasis is on the orderly development of the tourism industry and to attain maximum economic benefit from the industry.
Minimise negative socio-cultural and environmental impact of tourism in the process of development.
Tourism development to be tailored in line with the state's unique characteristics of unspoilt nature.
The private sector will take a greater role in tourism development with the public sector playing the coordinating, supporting and facilitating role.
Encouraging tourists to spread into the rural regions rather than concentrate in the towns so that the rural folks can benefit directly from tourism.

Our Environment policy is based on three basic principles. The principles of the policy are based on :-

The principle of balance - which ensures that decision about exploitation of the state's natural resources cannot be taken on economic grounds alone. It involves also the technical and environmental considerations.
The principle of planning - the integration and coordination of all government decision-making to ensure that the principle of balance is maintained and that social, economic or environmental damage is prevented.
The principle of universality - pertains to the extent to which one set of values is favoured to the disadvantage of any decision must be based on all factors under consideration.

Culture is an integral component of Sabah's heritage and identity. Our policy is:

To conserve and preserve important tangible and intangible elements of our cultural heritage for the present and future generations.
To foster and promote awareness and understanding of Sabah's multi-cultural heritage.
To formulate strategies to add value to this heritage by appropriate development, presentation and showcasing not only to the people of Sabah and Malaysia, but also to the wider world.

The Sabah Tourism Masterplan, endorsed and accepted by the Sabah State Government in 1996 is the guiding document for the development of the Sabah tourism industry for the period 1995 - 2010. If establishes policy and development strategies to realize the tourism potential of Sabah in line with national tourism policy objectives. This document can be viewed at the Ministry or at the Institute for Development Studies. Nature - based attractions Sabah's current product strength lies in wide ranging natural endowments extending from land to marine - based attractions.
The state is being developed and positioned as a premier nature-based destination for a critical mass of higher - paying visitors.

Strategic Directions of Development
The Masterplan has identified the following five key components required for the development of Sabah's tourism industry:

Development of tourism products: new or existing
Marketing the range of activities to ensure that products meet visitor expectation and needs and are delivered at a profit
Management and operations: provision of services for sustainable maintenance of the resources.
Access: an efficient transport network by air, land and sea to bring the visitors.
Contribution to socio-economic development: the host society and general economy must be benefited.

Development Concept
A three-zone development was recommended: West, East and Interior zones.

Eight key areas with significant tourism potential were identified for tourism development. There are Kota Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park, Northern Circuits, West Coast Beaches, Southern Circuits, Sandakan / Kinabatangan Region, Lahad Datu Region and Tawau / Semporna Region.

Details including area concept plans outlining general development themes and roles are provided in the Masterplan.

Smart Partnerships
These alliances between and within sectors are the core strategy to guide the orderly development of the tourism industry in Sabah. Smart partnerships also provide the framework for implementing the Masterplan.