THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has identified an iconic scuba diving spot known as “blue hole” at the Tingkayu Reef, Teluk Darvel, Lahad Datu as the country’s new tourism product.

Minister Nancy Shukri said it is believed that there are only 10 such sites in the world, each with a blue hole structure, but more interestingly, the one at the Tingkayu Reef has two holes.

“Our visit to the blue hole in Lahad Datu today is to assist in promoting this new tourism product as we recover from the Covid-19 epidemic. We are search for new tourism products in the country,” she said today.

The blue hole, known as Takat Tenggiri among the local fishermen, is located about 20km from Lahad Datu and it takes about 30 minutes by speedboat to get there.

Nancy said many tourism activities could be carried out at the location, including scuba diving and snorkelling.

“Domestic or international tourists who wish to enjoy a holiday with a difference, away from the busy urban areas, can come here,” she said. 

Nancy said the ministry feels that many tourism products in Sabah, including its arts and culture, could be actively promoted. 

“Many of these products have yet to be highlighted and I believe that the arts, culture and heritage of Sabah people could become tourism products, complementing the existing physical ones, for example, food,” she said.

She called on the residents to be together with the government in promoting the state’s tourism products, which could generate income for them and the country. – Bernama, April 28, 2022.