Malaysia: National biodiversity policy being reviewed to include challenges to eco-tourism

New Straits Times 26 Aug 15;

PUTRAJAYA: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is currently reviewing the National Biodiversity Policy to include the importance of and challenges to the growing eco-tourism industry.

Its deputy minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said the policy balanced the need for conservation and introduced several targets for sustainable tourism.

He said in order to improve the value of eco-tourism sites and conservation efforts, the policy also indicated the need for sites to be internationally recognised, under UNESCO World Heritage, Ramsar (wetlands of international importance), Man and Biosphere (MAB) or East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership.

“For parks or eco-tourism sites to be self-sustaining, it must be able to generate income through various sources such as entrance or conservation fees and activity fees.

“One way to achieve this is to increase the yield from the existing foreign visitors, many of whom have expressed willingness for higher park entrance fees if the offerings of eco-tourism sites are enriched with a unique experience.”

Hamim said this at the Roundtable Dialogue on Sustainable Practices in Eco-Tourism, here, today.

He said that six recognised eco-tourism sites had attracted over one million foreign tourists each year.

The sites are Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, the National Park in Pahang, Tioman Island, Royal Belum State Park, Kinabalu Park and Gunung Mulu National Park. --Bernama