The seminar was officially launched by Mr. Ajis bin Podoh from Matunggong District Office. In his speech, he reiterated that it is an opportune idea to set up a Tourism Development committee in Matunggong and the District Office is very supportive of that. This committee will be the catalyst for any tourism development initiative which will benefit the local community in Matunggong. He also expressed his utmost appreciation to BEST for its support and initiative to help the Matunggong community to rise up to their potential and capitalize their resources for better life.

A total of 33 selected participants turned up for the workshop which comprised local entrepreneurs, heads of villages and village development committee members. Among the villages involved were kg Pinawantai, kg Tinangol, kg Narandang, kg Terongkongan, kg Gombizau, kg Sumangkap and kg Hobut. A total of RM 563.95 was spent for the workshop which included meals and material cost.

Mr Baton Bijamin, the Deputy Chairman of BEST announced that the association is in the midst of applying a funding from United Nation Development Program (UNDP). The objective is to emphasize on developing alternative employment and income opportunities to eradicate poverty in the rural community. Hence, this workshop is imperative for BEST in getting clearer views and input from the local community in Kudat with regards to employment prospect and at the same time protect their environmental tourism resources. He also added that BEST will launch a website called ‘E-Matunggong’, a timely platform to promote Matunggong and Kudat as a single tourism destination.

At the end of the session, a protem committee was formed to spearhead the responsibility to establish the Matunggong Tourism Development Committee.