THE CHALLENGES AND INITIATIVES OF MICRO-SCALE TOURISM ENTREPRENEURS IN FACING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN RANAU DISTRICT, SABAH

Tourism can be said to be one of the alternative industrial sectors that contribute income to Malaysia and have the ability to introduce something interesting that is hidden somewhere to the world level. Indirectly, this situation can reduce the poverty gap among the local population. This research study was conducted with the aim of studying the initiatives of micro-scale tourism entrepreneurs in dealing with it in Ranau District, Sabah. This study uses a qualitative method that is through the interview method. The findings of the study show that among the micro tourism operators in the Ranau district, most of them are greatly affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. In addition, this study also managed to collect and find some important findings in relation to the challenges and initiatives that micro-scale tourism entrepreneurs have to face in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Ranau District, Sabah. In conclusion, despite the various constraints that the researcher has to face, the researcher does not give up, especially in getting informants who are willing to be interviewed online by the researcher.