Sabah is debuting at the Global Bird Fair in Rutland, United Kingdom, from July 12-14, highlighting the rural areas as a birding destination.
Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai is leading the entourage, including the Sabah Tourism Board, the Sabah Birdwatchers Association, Borneo Nature Tours, Tabin Wildlife Resort, 1 Stop Borneo Wildlife, and Borneo Eco Tours.
“Birdwatching is a vital component of rural tourism and home to many rare and endemic bird species in Sabah,” said Joniston.
“Birdwatching is gaining popularity among European tourists, with the UK alone having more than a million birding enthusiasts.
“It is our goal to promote these rural destinations to enhance their visibility on the global stage,” he said.
Formerly known as the British Birdwatching Fair, the event is one of the oldest and largest bird fairs, established in 1989.
It attracts birdwatchers, clubs, tour guides, equipment suppliers, tour companies, and tourism boards worldwide.
The event was revived in March 2022 after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 and rebranded as Global BirdFair.
The Sabah Tourism Board first participated in 2009, and again in 2022 and 2023.
