THE first Malaysia Ecotourism Summit and the 6th World Ecotourism Conference, expected to draw participation from 100 delegates to Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa in Sarawak, will be taking place from January 27 to 30, 2016.
Delegates will comprise mostly high-profile government decision-makers, academicians and representatives from NGOs and international organisations worldwide. Resource experts will also present case studies surrounding the theme: Tourism Clusters and Thematic Corridors for Sustainable Development.
Lee Choon Loong, president, Malaysian Ecotourism Association and convenor of the event, said: “The first Malaysia Ecotourism Summit will present and discuss the salient points from the new ten-year Malaysia National Ecotourism Plan (NEP) 2015-2025 and seek feedback from industry players before it is officially launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.” The NEP replaces the previous plan adopted in 1996.
Lee added: “World Ecotourism Conference’s theme, Ecotourism in UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Uplifting Communities, Opportunities and Economies, is focused on communities and opportunities around natural World Heritage Sites, and the outcomes will generate positive impacts on the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.”
This event is co-organised by The Malaysian Ecotourism Association (MEA) and DISCOVERYMICE, an affiliate member of UNWTO, and supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Malaysia, Sarawak State Government, Sarawak Forestry Corporation and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Centre of Innovative Planning and Development.
