Joniston (right) checking out the Sabah Birding Routes map with the Sabah Birdwatchers Association members. Also in photo are STB CEO Julinus Jimit (left) and Sabah Birdwatchers Association President Ron Pudin (third right)
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will debut its birding route at the upcoming prestigious Global BirdFair in Rutland, United Kingdom, showcasing the state as an ideal birdwatching destination, particularly highlighting its rural areas.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai will lead groups from Sabah to the bird fair event scheduled for July 12-14,
Participating organisations under STB are the 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,” said Joniston.
“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.
STB first participated in 2009 and continued to take part in the birding event in 2022 and 2023.
