KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will debut its birding locations at the prestigious Global BirdFair 2024 in Rutland, United Kingdom, says state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
He said they hoped to showcase Sabah as an ideal birdwatching destination by particularly highlighting its rural areas.
Bangkuai, who is Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, said that STB will lead the Sabah delegation that includes Sabah Birdwatchers Association, Borneo Nature Tours, Tabin Wildlife Resort, 1 Stop Borneo Wildlife, and Borneo Eco Tours.
"Birdwatching is a vital component of rural tourism in Sabah and many rural areas are home to rare and endemic bird species, making them ideal destinations for birdwatching enthusiasts," Bangkuai said.
"Birdwatching is increasingly growing in popularity among European tourists, with the UK alone having a birding community of more than a million.
"It is our goal to promote these rural destinations to enhance their visibility on the global stage and participating in the Global BirdFair offers us a platform to showcase our unique bird species and its habitats to an international audience," he added.
Formerly known as the British Birdwatching Fair, the event is one of the oldest and largest bird fairs, established in 1989.
It attracts birdwatchers, clubs, tour guides, equipment suppliers, tour companies, and tourism boards worldwide.
The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 but was revived in March 2022 and re-established as Global BirdFair. This year’s event will be held from July 12-14.
Sabah Tourism Board first participated in 2009 and continued to take part in the birding event in 2022.
