Addressing overtourism risk in Malaysia through sustainable initiatives


By AGENCY

Semporna is well known for its beautiful islands, but the trash situation there is not ideal. — Filepic

Malaysia is addressing the risks of overtourism by focusing on sustainable practices and infrastructure development to protect its natural and cultural heritage.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk P. Manoharan said that although Malaysia has not experienced widespread overtourism, certain locations, such as Semporna in Sabah, are beginning to encounter challenges.

Therefore, he emphasised the importance of preserving these locations in their current state, while enhancing infrastructure in areas with significant potential for sustainable tourism.

“We are very cautious. We do not want overtourism in our country. We want to preserve nature and adventure (of these destinations), so that the surrounding habitats remain undisturbed (by the overtourism),” he said.

Manoharan said this at the international media briefing on Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), which was held last week at the Johor Convention Centre in conjunction with the Asean Travel Exchange, a component of the Asean Tourism Forum 2025 programmes.

According to Manoharan, Malaysia has outlined several strategies to ensure a balance between tourism growth and preservation, including improving the infrastructure in lesser-known destinations to better distribute visitor traffic.

“This initiative involves collaboration between local stakeholders and state governments, to develop specific infrastructure to facilitate the movement of tourists,” he said.

Manoharan highlighted Malaysia’s proactive measures to limit visitor numbers in ecologically sensitive areas, such as national parks and marine parks, to protect the environment.

He observed a shift in tourist behaviour since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more travellers opting for less crowded destinations over overly popular ones, particularly during peak periods, such as long weekends and summer vacations.

A five million target

Meanwhile, the Sabah government welcomes AirAsia’s target of five million guest arrivals to the state through Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau this year, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.

Seeing the target as a vote of confidence in Sabah’s tourism industry, Liew said it is crucial not only for boosting efforts to attract more tourists but also for promoting economic advancement in the state.

She said by bringing in more tourists, the domestic economy, especially sectors involving logistics, hotels, and restaurants, will experience a boom, positively impacting the livelihoods of the people in Sabah.

“AirAsia conducted a survey and they believe they can achieve this target. We warmly welcome this commitment from them. Our (state government) target is 3.5 million tourist arrivals this year, which is very encouraging, and we are pleased to have AirAsia’s support in this endeavour.

“With our rich culture, breathtaking adventure experiences, and unparalleled natural beauty, Sabah offers something truly unique for every traveller. We invite everyone to explore Sabah and discover the wonders of our state,” she said.

Recently, AirAsia announced in a statement that the company expects five million visitor arrivals to Sabah this year. The target includes both domestic and international travellers and reinforces AirAsia’s leadership in enhancing the region’s connectivity and contributing to its economic growth.

Liew also invited the public to the Sabah Chinese New Year Open House celebration on Jan 30 at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu. The event, hosted by the Sabah government, will be held from 10am to 2pm. – Bernama

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