Fifth Asia Pacific Eco-tourism Conference was held at Taman Negara National Park, Pahang State, Malaysia from 2nd to 4th November 2006. The APECO’06 was also attended by the Nepalese tourism experts to discuss and exchange knowledge over different agendas and to work towards for the development of Eco-tourism in South & South East Asia. Nepalese delegation included Mr. Bijay Pradhan - Executive Chairman of Dream Nepal Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Samir Thapa – Principal, Silver Mountain School of Hospitality Management of Tourism and Mr. Ravi Jung Thapa – National Manager, TRPAP, Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tourism Minister of Malaysia was the Chief Guest for the convention. There were also delegates from Sri Lanka, Japan and Thailand.

Malaysia is a place having tourism potential. The conference was entirely focused on learning ideas to develop Eco-tourism and Adventure Tourism in Malaysia. Due to developed infrastructure, possibility of selling tour packages can be made straight from the neighboring countries.

Participants:

Mutiara Taman Negara Resort, Rainforest Resort, Woodland Resort & Travellers Home

Tour Coach Operators - Ping Anchorage Travel and NKS Travel & Tours

Boat Operator – SPKG Tours

Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia

Tourism Malaysia

Pahang State Tourism Action Council

Pahang State Government

Jerantut District Land Office

Tourism Pahang

Wildlife Department, Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment

Boat Association of Taman Negara

Nature Guide Association of Taman Negara

Kuala Tahan Tourist Information Centre

RECOMMENDATIONS & PROPOSED ACTION PLAN

• Eco-tourism has been identified as an important tool for generation of rural entrepreneurship and empowerment. The multiplier effect of the tourism sector would help the Government’s agenda for job creation and gainful employment.
• One out of every nine jobs created internationally is in the tourism sector and incorporating the rural culture and marketing South Asia & South East Asia as an effective tourism destination both to the regional and the international traveler would offer an effective tool for the implementation of the vision of the important document.
• South & South East Asia’s rich cultural heritage specially, in our rural areas offers unique packaging opportunities to the tourism industry. Tourists traveling from one destination to another can stop by any village en-route, where in consultation and with the involvement of local bodies special programmes of tourists’ interest can be arranged offering a unique marketing opportunity resulting in income generation and empowerment of the masses.
• The tour packages would incorporate local crafts of the villages, en-route showcase folk culture and local cuisines offering a unique experience to the tourist travelling therein.
• Malaysia should join hands in training local guides to handle the Eco-tourism products.
• MATTA should join hands with other regional and international tourism organizations so as to develop Eco-tourism in South & South East Asia.

Eco & Rural Tourism

• South – South East Asia should be promoted as a special Eco and Adventure Tourism destinations.
• National Eco and Rural Tourism Policy should be made.
• A sustainable tourism network with the involvement of the concerned governments, tourism industries, NGOs needs to be developed for effective and sustainable tourism.
• Uniform guidelines for adventure tourism need to be made.
• Better communication equipment and connectivity (in terms of roads and railways) is required for remote areas especially areas, where remoteness is more of an issue due to the geographical features and difficult access.
• National and regional networks of rural, farm and community-based tourism sites and enterprises should be developed which could serve various purposes, such as exchange of experiences, marketing, capacity-building programmes, quality assurance/certification, etc. More formal institutional forms, like associations, could also be considered.
• Destination marketing should incorporate Eco and Rural tourism as a specialized market segment, with each package making a unique offering incorporating the local ethos.
• Rural hub administered by local bodies needs to be set up, showcasing local crafts, culture and cuisines of the village, generating rural entrepreneurship and employment.
• These should be self-sustaining sectors and should be incorporated in the packages by the tour operators.
• Special package for youth should be developed to create a better understanding and participation in the programmes.
• An effective market plan needs to be developed and marketing focus needs to shift from long-haul destination marketing to intra-regional traffic.
• Individual destination competencies need to be synergise for an effective inter-regional tourism development.
• A core group with public private partnership needs to be set up for evolving an effective marketing strategy.