Events – Tourism Malaysia Launches Official Birding Website

Tourism Malaysia has launched the Bird Malaysia website (www.birdsmalaysia.my) today at the 10th Asian Bird Fair 2019 in Kuching, Sarawak.

With the cooperation of Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia, Ecotourism Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY) has developed and managed this website since March this year.

It is the ideal platform for local birding operators to showcase and promote their ecotourism packages, in particular “bird watching”, both in Malaysia or overseas.

In this website, more than 25 interesting packages have been offered at attractive prices by seven local birding operators with focus on birding activities, among which are “Birding @ Tabin” in Sabah, “Birdwatching @ Mulu Sarawak”, and “Birdwatching Tour @ Taman Negara Pahang.” The packages are priced as low as RM3,500 for a 6 Days/5 Nights experience.

The website is also a platform for birdwatchers to share experiences, photos and knowledge about different kinds of bird species in Malaysia. In Malaysia, there are more than 750 species and 50 types of endemic birds. Malaysia also has 55 locations gazetted as Important Bird Area (IBA) including Sabah and Sarawak.

Sources from ECOMY, Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) and local birding operators have estimated that the average package price per person for birding activities is RM6,500. With a total of 5,663 birdwatchers expected to visit Malaysia until the year-end, the revenue generated from birdwatching activities is expected to reach RM36.8 million.

Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia,Mr. Zulkifly Md. Said says, “The birding segment is considered very niche but has great potential in generating higher tourism revenues as the activity attracts quality tourists. The launch of the website is timely in boosting tourist arrivals to Malaysia and to support the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.”