KUCHING: Five students that are currently taking postgraduate study for Master of Applied Entrepreneurship programme have chosen Kabong Tanjung Kembang Beach as their social entrepreneurship case study for it has a potential as one of the spots of tourist attractions in the state.
A function where they presented their Social Venture Business Plan at one of the hotels here was attended by the Kabong Community comprising members of Kabong Fishermen Association, community leaders and youth working in Kuching. Also present were the Social Entrepreneur lecturer of MARA University of Technology (UiTM), Associate Professor Dr. Abang Zainoren Abang Abdurahman, UiTM officials and students.
The proposed business venture is significant with regards to Kabong current ecosystem which is strategically located at the central region of Sarawak. Its distance just around 95 kilometres from Sibu Airport or one-and-half hour driving makes it easily accessible for the foreign visitors to reach Kabong as their chosen destination. In addition the availability of tourism attractions such as beautiful beaches, chalets, the Iban and Malay traditional villages, good roads and telecommunication connectivity, are added advantages to Kabong, that can possibly become known as one of the global tourism attractions in Sarawak.
The approach of community-based tourism which is integrated in the business plan involves local community participation and will enable them to generate extra income and develop more rural entrepreneurs.
Haji Yusuf bin Haji Amir, the Chairman of Persatuan Anak Kabong (PAK) was impressed with the students’ presentation and urged the Kabong community to develop further the potential on business tourism in the constituency. He added that this kind of venture will create a foundation for transforming tourism and unleashing the potential of a new generation of local social entrepreneurs at a reasonably high level in future.
Also present during the presentation were executive members of PAK and Maklen Ali, CEO of UiTM Holdings Sarawak Sdn Bhd.
