UNESCO's status is to open up greater economic opportunities for the community

MIRI, Sept. 21: The status of Niah National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site should be translated into greater economic empowerment to the local community through the development of tourism products and experiences.

Deputy Foreign Minister, Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the presence of tourists should be leveraged by providing products, food, incentives and experiences that can generate income.

"When tourists come, they are not only looking for experience, but also need products, amenities, food and stories to bring home", he said at the Park Guide Training Program Suspension Council in Niah National Park, near here, today.

He who is also the Member of Parliament for Sibuti said, based on the record of Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Niah National Park received 29,426 visitors in 2025, consisting of 26,067 local tourists and 3,329 international tourists.

He said the number of visits showed there was great potential for the community to develop a more comprehensive tourism value chain.

"If we had more attractive products, I'm sure tourism spending would double.

"Communities need to provide products and experiences so that tourists not only come, but also shop and take home something as a souvenir", he added.

He also encouraged Park Guide to use social media such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram to promote Niah's uniqueness to wider markets.

The Park Guide is also said to act as a narrator capable of highlighting the history, heritage, archaeology and uniqueness of Niah's natural landscape to visitors.

"The most important thing is the participation of the local community as Cave Niah not only belongs to the management, but also becomes part of the life of the local community", he said.

A total of 20 participants successfully completed the Park Guide Training Program which lasted for 18 days from September 5 to 22.

The exercise involved eight stallions with 11 participants from the local community representing seven nearby villages, while nine other participants came from Miri.

The programme includes seven modules under the Generic Park Guide Training Module and nine modules under the Park Product Training Module.

The three main modules focusing on Niah National Park are the introduction of Niah National Park including a trip to UNESCO World Heritage Site status, bird conservation and archaeological research.

He urged the participants who will receive the Park Guide license to continue actively and improve their knowledge, discipline, integrity and skills.

"Become a knowledgeable, disciplined, integrity and caliber Park Guide. At the same time, be a small ambassador of Taman Nasional Niah who is able to introduce the uniqueness, history, heritage and natural beauty of this area to domestic and foreign visitors", he said.

He also announced that Niah National Park is expected to reopen in early October, thus providing space for the Park Guide and local communities to seize available opportunities. - TVS