Some of the beautiful corals and marine life found in the waters of Mersing. — Filepic
MERSING in Johor is set to become Malaysia’s first destination to be listed under the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (Insto), a prestigious recognition under the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
Mersing district officer Jamil Hasni Abdullah said this milestone was expected to elevate the district’s status as a key tourism destination in Malaysia and globally.
“The listing under Insto will help promote Mersing’s tourism sector.
“Currently, there are 45 destinations worldwide recognised by Insto, including Malaga in Spain, Lombok in Indonesia, Henan in China, Barcelona in Spain, Buenos Aires in Argentina, southwest Australia, Tyrol in Austria, and Peten in Guatemala,” he said when contacted.
Jamil Hasni said the application process for Mersing’s inclusion in Insto followed a structured timeline.
“Between March and April this year, Mersing District Council (MDM) will prepare a preliminary report for submission to the state government.
“From May to June, the state government will submit the application to Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac).
“In July and August, Motac will present the application to UN Tourism for consideration.
“If successful, Mersing is expected to receive Insto recognition between February and March 2026, in line with Visit Johor Year 2026,” he added.
Jamil Hasni said Mersing had chosen the theme “Rainforest to Reef” for its sustainability initiative, with key locations for Insto evaluation including Taman Negara, Penyabong and the cluster of Pulau Besar islands.
“Recognition under Insto will not only enhance Mersing’s global appeal but also reinforce its commitment to sustainable tourism, ensuring long-term benefits for local communities and the environment,” he said.
Additionally, Mersing Tourism Association (MTA) secretary Ahmad Firdaus Shaik Omar said MDM had brought together all tourism players in the district to form a unified group called Sustainable Travel Mersing (STM).
“STM includes MTA, Reef Check Malaysia, Tengah Island Conservation, Mersing Island and Reef Conservation, and Mersing Youth Council alongside government agencies such as Tourism Johor and Tourism Malaysia.”
He said that unlike a Unesco heritage listing, Insto required ongoing data monitoring to improve tourism activities through sustainable practices.
“The data we collect will be used to monitor and evaluate whether our sustainability efforts are having a positive impact on the environment.
“This includes ensuring that tourists do not damage natural habitats, islanders have sustainable waste disposal methods and the local community benefits from recycling initiatives,” he added.
Ahmad Firdaus said that in the long run, these efforts would help establish Mersing as a top global tourism destination.
“Mersing will be the first district in Malaysia to receive Insto recognition and listed in the world’s top 50 tourism destinations,” he said.
