Global BirdFair founder keen to work with Sabah

Bangkuai (left) with Appleton (centre), the founder and main organiser of the Global BirdFair in Rutland.

KOTA KINABALU: The international birding community is keen to collaborate with Sabah following the state's participation in the Global BirdFair 2024 in Rutland, United Kingdom.

BirdFair founder and main organiser Tim Appleton said that based on the feedback he received, Sabah has the potential to emerge as a leading global birding destination.

"I'm keen to work with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to develop Sabah's potential as a global birding destination," he said during a brief meeting with state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai who led the Sabah delegation to the BirdFair from Friday to Sunday (July 12 to 14).

Bangkuai, the STB chairman, led a delegation that included the Sabah Bird Watchers Association (SBWA), Borneo Nature Tours, Tabin Wildlife Resorts, 1 Stop Borneo Wildlife and Borneo Eco Tours.

Appleton, known as the godfather of bird fairs, indicated an interest in a familiarisation trip for a group of UK and European journalists and birding travel experts to Sabah to help promote the state's important birding areas.

According to a statement by STB on Monday (July 15), the launch of the Sabah Birding Routes guide map has been well-received, with key figures in the birding world highlighting its potential to boost eco-tourism and conservation efforts.

Alain Pasqua from the Philippines highlighted Sabah's leadership in regional bird conservation, emphasising its role in fostering global birding partnerships.

"Sabah has always been ahead in organising such initiatives in the South-East Asian region.

"The Birding Routes will pave the way for collaboration and extension of birding itineraries," said the founder of Harring Ibon, which showcases the beautiful birds of the Philippines.

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The guide map has also created an opportunity for the Sabah Birdwatchers Association to collaborate with the World Pheasant Association, sharing technical expertise, particularly on the Bornean peacock-pheasant, one of the rarest members of the peacock-pheasant genus in the world.

Dr John Corder of the World Pheasant Association praised STB's new initiative and highlighted the map's usefulness.

"The Bornean peacock-pheasant needs to be protected long term as it benefits the local villagers to improve their livelihoods through bird hides tourism," he said.

Other attendees at BirdFair also saw the map as a means to protect endangered species and support local communities, the STB statement added.

STB has been participating in the renowned international birding event since 2009.

Its delegation to the BirdFair this year included STB chief executive officer Julinus Jimit, SBWA president Ron Pudin, and STB product and rural tourism manager Daniel Roman.

The three-day event saw birding and wildlife travel experts and enthusiasts from across the globe flocking to the STB booth to learn about the state's attractions and initiatives.