ASSESSMENT OF THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF TERRESTRIAL/WETLAND SITES IN MALAYSIA

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Stephany Andrews
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1 ASSESSMENT OF THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF TERRESTRIAL/WETLAND SITES IN MALAYSIA YEAP CHIN AIK (Malaysian Nature Society) Ramsar Pre-COP11 Regional Meeting, November 2011, Jakarta

2 IN SEARCH OF BIRDS A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Birding tourism/ Avitourism One of the fastest growing naturebased tourism activities globally. Estimated 3 million international trips taken each year, specially for the purpose of birding (USFWS 2001). Nature-based tourism estimate to generate between USD billion/year (TIES 2000). Birding tourism contributes to the local and national economies of destination countries. MAIN SOURCE COUNTRIES Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, Australia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, USA, UK, east Asian countries?, India? DESTINATION REGIONS South America, Africa Middle East, Asia, Australia, The Pacific (Europe, North America)

3 Iconic ambassadors Renowned wetlands Inner Deep Bay/Mai Po (HK) Pulau Rambut (Indonesia) Point Calimere (India) Fujimae tidal flat (Japan) Cheonsu Bay (South Korea) Candaba swamp (Philippines) Kuala Selangor Nature Park (M sia) Point Calimere (India) Beidaihe (China) Inner Gulf of Thailand (Thailand) Sungei Buloh Wildlife Reserve (Singapore)

4 BACKGROUND STEPS OF THE PROCESS For the first time, MNS collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia (MOTOUR) in a project to assess the feasibility of developing birding as a nature-based tourism product. Done in two Phases from 2007 until 2011, involving various stakeholders (Ministry to local site level). ESTABLISH Project Steering Committee (P2) ESTABLISH Project Steering Committee (P1) (tourism, site managers, conservation) CONDUCT detailed site assessment Baseline ecological characteristics, habitat diversity & associated birds PHASE 1 (National level) ASSESS current birding resources & activities IDENTIFY potential/existing highvalue site(s) for birding tourism CONDUCT feasibility study (literature review, preliminary site survey & dialogues with site managers) ASSESS survey results & CONDUCT SWOT analysis PRESENT results SOLICIT feedback & commitment SELECT 3 pilot sites (Phase 2) PREPARE & IMPLEMENT Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for site Management activities Site-specific options (e.g infrastructure) Interpretative materials Marketing & promotional activities Site-based capacity-building Conservation DESIGN monitoring system Link to SAP, key indicators PRESENT results to MOTOUR & pilot site stakeholders Continuation relies on stakeholder s further commitments PHASE 2 (Site level)

5 WHAT WE ASSESSED AT SITE. BIRDING ELEMENTS Avifaunal Uniqueness Bird Information Birding Infrastructure Birding Guide Diversity, endemics, globally threatened birds etc. Availability of site bird/birdingrelated publication(s)/literature Trails, boardwalks, bird hides, interpretive centre Availability onsite and level of expertise NON-BIRDING ELEMENTS Accommodation Accessibility Conservation Status & Management Supporting Attractions Availability and range Access to the site from major urban centre(s), transportation Protection status of site, management authority Other natural assets and/or activities onsite that can enhance visitor experience

6 Kinabatangan of Sarawak Kuching Wetlands NP At least 32 shorebird spp. Est. wintering 10,000-15,000 waterbirds. Supports several globally threatened and near-threatened migratory waterbirds 1% of flyway population (Chinese Egret, Mongolian and Greater Sand-plovers) Potential Ramsar / EAAF Flyway Site

7 WHAT WE LEARNT. Stakeholder involvement & commitment important Repeat key messages & be consistent Educate, educate, educate K.I.S.S. (the action points!) Link to birding route(s)

8 Follow the birding route ASIA A wetland & waterbird wonderland

earnings and consumer spending, even though niche markets are often smaller in size than mainstream tourism markets Generally provide greater growth potential than mainstream tourism Significant

9 Birding tourism is NOT mass tourism! Developed and nurtured properly, it can yield benefits Opportunity to diversity the tourism economy via the creation of new markets Generate higher yields per visitor, in terms of foreign exchange earnings and consumer spending, even though niche markets are often smaller in size than mainstream tourism markets Generally provide greater growth potential than mainstream tourism Significant development impacts, often stimulating the creation of quality jobs that require specialised skills, as opposed to low/semi skilled jobs generally associated with mainstream tourism Increased local spending, as niche tourism offerings attract independent travellers, as opposed to prepaid package tourists Niche tourism activities, which are often community-based and located outside of traditional tourist areas, thereby encouraging the geographic distribution of tourism benefits Department of Trade and Industry (Republic of South Africa) Niche Tourism Markets: Avitourism in South Africa (2010)

airport - Beach, mangroves, riverine - 89 bird spp. Stork-billed Kingfisher as its Identity.

10 EXAMPLE: Sri Lanka Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) [BirdLife Affiliate] Bird Friendly Establishments Concept -One hotel/resort = one bird identity Ranweli Holiday Village (Negombo) - 18km from airport - Beach, mangroves, riverine - 89 bird spp. Stork-billed Kingfisher as its Identity. - Trained gardener to CEO (eg. bird life) - Good practices of sustainable tourism. - Community benefits (ca 40-45% employment) - Award-winning resort

11 TERIMA KASIH Together for birds, people & wetlands Photos shown within are restricted to the use for this presentation only.

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