SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & ROADMAPS: TURNING GREEN WORLD ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE 2010 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & ROADMAPS: TURNING GREEN Greetings to all participants and eco-delegates. I am delighted to be in this platform of 2nd World Ecotourism Conference: Urban Ecotourism and Biodiversity Hotspots in Developing Countries: Shifting Paradigms and Strategic Adaptations. I would also like to make a special note of recognition to the secretariat for hosting this event as it signifies the importance of the tourism industry especially ecotourism in contributing towards sustainable development and environmental conservation as well as green economy. It is indeed an energizing and most welcomed forum in today's world agenda especially in attempting to minimise the impact of climate change. It is very motivating and encouraging to see such an enthusiastic and concern participants from government officials, key players and captains of the related-industry, society leaders and academic experts from within and outside the country. Biodiversity Hotspots is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” (1988 & 1990), revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in “Hotspots: Earth’s Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions”. CHIN LOI YOUNG UNDERSECRETARY POLICY AND PLANNING MINISTRY OF TOURISM 1

MALAYSIA TOURISM PERFORMANCE 2

TOURIST ARRIVALS & RECEIPTS 2000-2009 YEAR TOURIST ARRIVALS (MILLION) TOURIST RECEIPTS (RM BILLION) 2000 10.2 17.3 2001 12.8 24.2 2002 13.3 25.8 2003 10.6 21.3 2004 15.7 29.7 2005 16.4 31.9 2006 17.5 36.3 2007 20.9 46.1 2008 22.1 49.6 2009 23.6 53.4

MALAYSIA TOURISM PERFORMANCE 2000-2009 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 53.4B RECEIPTS (RM BILLION) 46.0B 49.5B 36.2B 31.9B 29.6B 25.7B 24.2B 21.2B 20.9M 17.5M 23.6M 16.4M 22.05M 17.3B 15.7M 13.3M 12.8M 10.6M 10.2M FUEL PRICE INCREASE, ECONOMIC CRISIS PANDEMIC H1N1, GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS TOURIST ARRIVALS (MILLION) BALI BOMBING 9/11 BOMBING SARS/IRAQ WAR TSUNAMI

NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY 5

NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY: SHIFTING PARADIGMS AND STRATEGIC ADAPTATIONS To turn the tourism industry into a major, sustainable, viable and quality sector which contributes to the socio-economic development of the country Socio-economic development includes sustainable development and supporting the local communities

OBJECTIVE To develop a sustainable tourism industry in order to generate a major source of income for the country To promote the tourism sector professionally, efficiently and continuously to meet the needs and preferences of foreign and local tourists To strengthen and upgrade a quality service delivery system in order to ensure tourist satisfaction 1 2 to increase the contribution to the nation’s economy tourist satisfaction and value for money destination  to be catalytic in developing 1Malaysia through tourism 3

ECOTOURISM 8

DEFINITION OF ECOTOURISM Ecotourism is “environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features, both past and present), that promotes conservation, has low visitors impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations” National Ecotourism Plan Malaysia has a wide range of natural and cultural assets that makes ecotourism a highly beneficial, sustainable and long-term form of tourism. The Plan serves as a comprehensive document for the country in developing ecotourism potentials/ areas/ sides.

ELEMENTS OF ECOTOURISM SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Benefits for the people of the area Repairing whatever damage is unavoidable Preventing damage as far as possible Low impact on the environment and local culture SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Malaysia Forested Land Area 60% Virgin Rainforest in Malaysia WHY ECOTOURISM 75% Malaysia Forested Land Area 60% Virgin Rainforest in Malaysia Rich with natural and cultural wonders Source: Letter from Mr. Lee Choon Loong; WEC2010 to Y.Bhg. Dato’ KSU.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & ECOTOURISM Developing Malaysia’s vast ecotourism potential involves careful planning and effective implementation. The National Ecotourism Plan has therefore been adopted to provide policy and development guidelines in line with the overall sustainable development of the country and promote ecotourism as a tool for conservation

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ECOTOURISM HOW DOES ECOTOURISM FALL WITHIN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs using resources wisely so that economic growth is viable in the long term provide returns that can be measured in monetary as well as other intangible benefits to current and future generations of locals and foreign visitors

NATIONAL ECOTOURISM PLAN 14

NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY & NATIONAL TOURISM PLAN National Ecotourism Plan Sustainable development Carrying capacity

NATIONAL ECOTOURISM PLAN Introduced in 1996 Aims to assist the Government (Federal & State) in the development of Malaysia’s ecotourism potentials Appropriate instrument within the overall sustainable development of Malaysia Effective tool for conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the country providing socio-economic benefits to local communities 7 volumes and 25 Booklets (www.motour.gov.my) 21 Action Plans 52 Project suggestions Top 10 places 25 Guidelines

The National Ecotourism Plan Ecotourism Potential: Site Listing 7 Volume/25 Guidelines Executive Summary The National Ecotourism Plan Ecotourism Potential: Site Listing Ecotourism Guidelines for Malaysia Current Status of Ecotourism in Malaysia Malaysia’s lace in the Region Annexes 7 Volumes Main Report Executive Summary The National Ecotourism Plan Ecotourism Potential: Site Listing Ecotourism Guidelines for Malaysia Current Status of Ecotourism in Malaysia Malaysia’s lace in the Region Annexes

25 Guidelines under National Ecotourism Plan 7 Volume/25 Guidelines To address specific activities and functions in all ecotourism areas, from the general to the specific To guide management of sites in specific habitats To form a basis for standards of best practice To be a foundation for continual evaluation and improvement 25 Guidelines under National Ecotourism Plan Guide 1:

25 Guidelines divided in 4 Categories Guidelines for Categorising Sites and Activities Carrying and Limits of Acceptable Change Guidelines according to Ecosystem Guidelines according to Activity 25 Guidelines divided in 4 Categories Guide 1: Guide for categorising sites Guide 2. Basic requirement for all ecotourism sites; studies of carrying capacity must be carried out for every site; day-to-day management practices must be capable of modification so as to limit changes to acceptable level Guides 3-10: These guides refer to particular ecosystems. Typically only one set of these guidelines will apply too a given ecotourism area. Or a few guidelines in large areas where several different ecosystems are represented. Guides 11-25: These guidelines refer to specific practices which may be carried in every ecotourism area. They indicate planning needs, management practices, administrative structures, etc

AMONG TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM Marine Parks and Islands National Parks, Reserves and Other Forests Mangroves Sites Recreational Forest Reserves Rivers, Waterfalls, Lakes Beach Sites Limestone Hills and Cave Sites

Guidelines Guide 1: Guide for categorising sites Guide 2: Basic requirement for all ecotourism sites; studies of carrying capacity must be carried out for every site; day-to- day management practices must be capable of modification so as to limit changes to acceptable level Guides 3-10: These guides refer to particular ecosystems. Typically only one set of these guidelines will apply too a given ecotourism area. Or a few guidelines in large areas where several different ecosystems are represented. Guides 11-25: These guidelines refer to specific practices which may be carried in every ecotourism area. They indicate planning needs, management practices, administrative structures, etc

GREEN TOURISM INITIATIVE 1. How to Categorize Sites and Activities 2. Carrying Capacity and Limits of Acceptable Change 3. Marine Parks and Islands 4. National Parks and Reserves 5. Mangroves 6. Recreational Forests 7. Limestone Hills and Caves 8. Rivers, Waterfalls and Lakes

GREEN TOURISM INITIATIVE 9. Beaches 10. Mountains 11. Zoning, Site Plans and Architecture 12. Use of Local Accommodation 13. Accreditation 14. Interpretation, Education and Guide Training 15. Codes of Ethics 16. Visitor's Responsibilities

GREEN TOURISM INITIATIVE 17. Health and Safety 18. Waste Disposal 19. Local Community Participation 20. Economic Structuring 21. Assessing Tenders and Bids 22. Marketing and Promotion 23. Conservation Programmes 24. Monitoring Programmes 25. Minimising Negative Impacts

CURRENT GREEN TOURISM INITIATIVES: PARKS & GARDENS IN MALAYSIA Development and maintenance of Parks and Gardens should include conservation and consideration of green tourism and proper implementation of natural landscape MARDI Agrotech, Cameron Highlands, Pahang Concrete and cement/ bricks development should be minimize as possible. Greenery aspects must be given due consideration in maintaining natural landscape Bukit Fraser, Pahang

1MALAYSIA GREEN TOURISM” “1MALAYSIA CLEAN, 1MALAYSIA GREEN TOURISM” To encourage the spirit of cleanliness and love towards the nature between the Malaysians especially in tourism attraction areas. OBJECTIVE OF CAMPAIGN

1MALAYSIA GREEN TOURISM” “1MALAYSIA CLEAN, 1MALAYSIA GREEN TOURISM” Roadshow with Aznil Haji Nawawi and “Mr. Bin” with Students Tourism Club (Kelab Pelancongan Pelajar) Gotong-Royong Activities “Plant a Tree”  Homestay Training-skills  Enhancing skills -planting and landscape activities Continouos Tourism Related Education – compulsory to all tourist guides Programmes

IMPEDIMENTS 28

IMPEDIMENTS: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Understanding ecosystem/biodiversity Disposal of Solid/ Liquid Waste Green initiatives: Carbon Emission and Production Human Resource Natural Tourist Guides Local Participations Awareness among the locals/implementors Importance of sustainable development Preserving Environment

CONCLUSION 30

GREEN TOURISM & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Developing Malaysia’s vast ecotourism potential involves careful planning and effective implementation. The National Ecotourism Plan has therefore been adopted to provide policy and development guidelines in line with the overall sustainable development of the country and promote ecotourism as a tool for conservation

THANK YOU 32