As programme lead for the project, UNDP Malaysia will engage communities, tour operators, and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) businesses in select locations, with the aim of increasing awareness on sustainability and improving cohesion among stakeholders. Investment in capacity-building, technical know-how development, and digital innovation will also be carried out with guidance from the Ministry of Tourism. Pilot ecotourism products and services will also be developed for further replication in other locations.

The project will be piloted in three areas, namely: Manjung, Perak; Setiu, Terengganu, and Mersing, Johor. Stakeholders from community, NGO, Civil Sector Organisation, and Government sectors across all three locations were consulted in the co-design of the project.

“Over the past decade, UNDP has embarked on a journey to support governments worldwide by advising on more sustainable local tourism ecosystems, waste management and community livelihoods among others. Together with partners, UNDP advocates for a sustainable balance between tourism-related activities and protecting the environment,” said Ms. Usha Rao-Monari, the United Nations (UN) Under Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator, who officiated the event as part of her two-day country visit to Malaysia.

“As the tourism sector recovers from COVID-19, Malaysia has an opportunity to shift this industry to place it on a more sustainable footing. This pandemic has provided opportunities for our tourism to reset, restart, and reimagine itself as a culturally rich and environmentally sustainable destination in building a “Tourism Nation”. From our natural environment, history, culture, values, heritage, arts and tradition to the nation’s political, societal and economic stability, Malaysia has what it takes to build a prosperous tourism nation. We should think tourism and act responsibly,” said YBhg Datuk Hajah Saraya binti Arbi, Secretary General Ministry of Tourism.

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