KOTA KINABALU: According to Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Sabah obtained at least 44 business opportunities from the recent Global BirdFair held in Rutland, United Kingdom.
Tabin Wildlife Resort secured 19 leads at the event, which ran from Friday to Sunday (July 12–14), followed by 1 StopBorneo Wildlife with 14 leads and Borneo Nature Tours with 11 leads, according to the state assistant minister of tourism, culture, and the environment.
The World Pheasant Association, the organization that organized the event, and wildlife writers were both beneficial relationships for Sabah, according to Bangkuai, the delegation’s leader.
The head of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) continued, stating that the tremendous interest confirmed Sabah’s growing status as a top birdwatching destination.
“Every potential customer is not just a financial opportunity; they also represent STB’s strategic global market positioning, emphasising our dedication to preserving the environment and broadening our range of tourism offerings.
He stated here on Wednesday, July 17, that “Sabah’s involvement in the Global BirdFair is more than just a milestone in the birdwatching scene, and I am confident Sabah can lead the way in responsible birding tourism.”
Bangkuai went on to say that encouraging sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship in tourism through habitat preservation and improved visitor experiences, also demonstrated a commitment to the Sabah Maju Jaya development strategy.
Rod Pudin, president of the Sabah Birdwatchers Association, and Julinus Jimit, chief executive officer of STB, were also part of the Sabah delegation.
Jimit pointed out that Sabah has regularly participated in the birding event since 2009, which has guaranteed its recognition on the global stage.
“We are committed to positioning Sabah as a preferred birding destination globally, offering value for money complemented by other attractions such as the state’s unique wildlife, culture and islands,” he stated.
Jimit asserts that birdwatching tourism will strengthen the local community.
Cheema Shavez of One Stop” I have attended other travel fairs (overseas), but this event was by far the most productive and effective,” stated Borneo Wildlife.
“We have potentially gained more prospective buyers (here) for our grassroots group than all other events combined.”
This year, the global ornithology (birding) tourism market is expected to be valued at US$659.7bil (about RM3.080 trillion), according to the March edition of the Future Marketing Insight report.
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