ECOTOURISM IN MALAYSIA

Malaysia is indeed blessed with a wide range of natural and cultural assets that makes ecotourism a highly beneficial, feasible, sustainable and long-term form of tourism. Malaysia has won several times The Best Ecotourism Destination award at the TravelWeekly. Malaysia is one of the most biologically diverse countries on earth. Tropical rainforest covers 60 percent of the country, which is divided among Peninsular Malaysia, and Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo. Deforestation and coral bleaching continue to threaten two of the country's most attractive natural resources.

Tourism is a relaxing activity for people to travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. Based on the World Tourism Organization describe that tourists is people who travel to other places and stay in places outside their usual environment. According to
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism has become one of the global largest industries nowadays. In other word mean that
tourism has become a well-liked global leisure activity. To sharing of the mysteries in Malaysia, one of the twelve mega-biologically diverse countries in the world, which boasts at least 15,000 species of flowering plants, 286 species of mammals, 150,000 species of invertebrates, and 4,000 species of fishes in addition to the countless micro-organisms. Travellers can experience a huge range of outdoor activities, such as caving, hiking, jungle trekking, snorkelling, rock climbing, diving, river cruising and much more. There are several experienced outdoor professionals, who are well ready with the latest gear, can guide one through all of these activities. If you are looking for rich and exotic ecotourism experiences in balmy tropical weather, the place is Malaysia.

Covering almost 60 per cent of land mass, Malaysia's tropical rainforests are millions of years old and they are home to an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna. There may still be animals, plants, flowers and trees yet to be discovered living beneath its canopy. Malaysia's seas shelter various marine life that rely on the delicate balance of an undamaged ecosystem. Turtles from the other side of the world make pilgrimages over thousands of miles to nest on Malaysian shores. Similarly, visitors from the four corners of the world make yearly visits to our shores simply to witness the magical world of the undersea. While promoting the natural attractions in the country to tourists, the Malaysian Government also realises the importance of sustainable tourism and of balancing conservation and development.

Malaysia has a host of ecotourism destinations that are being often popular among a reasonable segment of foreign tourist. However these wonders are not tapped and marketed effectively to reach the greater segment of foreign eco tourist.

Your Assignment:

You are operating a tour agency and having noted the opportunity in this segment of tourism in Malaysia, you have decided to capitalise on it to further boost and broaden your International Business scope.

1. Which countries would you target to market the Malaysian Eco Tourism and why? (10m)

2. What strategy would you adopt to promote and attract more tourist to visit Malaysia?

3. How would you propagate the conservation of the Malaysian Rainforest in International Scenario?