KUCHING: Countries should align tourism strategies with sustainable development to reduce the negative impacts caused by tourism to destinations.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism, said: “Governments need to work together (with industry players) to create the future that we’ve envisioned. We need to implement comprehensive strategies to promote sustainable tourism development.
“A broad mix of policies is a key element in supporting a sustainable and competitive tourism economy in the long term.
“Hence, the co-operation and commitment of all industry players is needed to continue to propagate responsible tourism and sustainability agenda,” he said.
Abdul Karim was officiating at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), today.
He said tourism can be a catalyst for growth in the local economy, providing quality jobs, opportunities for enterprise and funds for conservation.
However, if not managed well, he warned it can have negative impacts on the local communities and environments.
“It creates long-term problems for local residents, which can ultimately lead to the decline of tourism in the destination.
“Therefore, all stakeholders need to be involved to achieve this, including governments, local businesses, communities and visitors through active collaboration,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said the Sarawak government has long recognised the importance of sustainability in all its efforts and this also includes tourism.
“We actively encourage the public and visitors to be aware of their environmental impact and responsible tourism practices.
“Through collective engagement, we can contribute to the preservation of our natural resources and the well-being of local communities,” he said.
In line with this, he said the two-day forum is capable of strengthening sustainable tourism in the region and even worldwide, involving partnerships from experienced industry players and practitioners.
More than 270 delegates from 28 countries including Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates are participating in the forum which started yesterday (June 21).
