PETALING JAYA: Malaysia can increase tourist arrivals without sacrificing its forests, islands and marine parks, but only if stricter environmental safeguards, visitor controls and stronger enforcement are put in place, industry leaders and conservationists say.
As Malaysia continues to promote nature-based tourism, they warn that the country’s most prized attractions – from rainforests and mountains to coral reefs and islands – could suffer irreversible damage if visitor growth is not carefully managed.
Experts said sustainable tourism requires a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, adding that Malaysia’s natural attractions can only remain competitive if the ecosystems that support them are preserved for future generations.
Environmental biologist and Malaysian Nature Society president Dr Ahmad Ismail said Malaysia’s rich biodiversity remained one of its biggest tourism assets, attracting not only holidaymakers but also nature enthusiasts and researchers.
“Malaysia is among the top megadiverse countries in the world. We have good tropical rainforests, both lowland and highland, as well as rich marine ecosystems that attract tourists,” he said.
He cited destinations such as Taman Negara, Belum-Temenggor, Danum Valley, Imbak Canyon, Sipadan, Tioman and Tenggol Island as examples of attractions whose appeal lies in their relatively untouched natural environments.
However, Ahmad said increasing visitor numbers must be matched by proper management, including clearly defined carrying capacities, seasonal closures, visitor quotas and guided access in environmentally sensitive areas.
“All tourists must be guided. There should be no free movement in sensitive areas such as rafflesia habitats, coral reefs and specific wildlife zones,” he said, adding that Sipadan already limits divers to 120 permits per day, while Gunung Tahan requires climbers to declare and remove everything they bring into the park.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong said Malaysia should adopt international best practices to avoid the problems associated with overtourism.
“There should be visitor quotas for fragile and delicate sites, particularly natural and heritage attractions, as these places require protection,” he said.
Wong added that some destinations around the world impose higher entrance fees, with part of the revenue channelled back into conservation efforts.
He said tourism operators also play a critical role in educating visitors, adding that tourists often model their behaviour on what they observe from locals.
“Tourists are increasingly seeking authentic experiences, including nature-based and heritage tourism.
“This makes it even more important to conserve and protect these destinations,” he said.
Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) president Mint Leong said responsibility for protecting environmentally sensitive attractions must be shared by authorities, tourism operators and visitors.
However, she argued that government agencies and destination managers should take the lead.
“These places are natural resources that already exist. The authorities must take the lead on policy-making, conservation planning and regular studies of the destination,” she said.
