MADRID, January 19th, 2023 – Malaysia will be presented at Fitur 2023 as a sustainable destination, with the state of Sabah as the main representative of ecotourism in the Asian country. For this purpose, the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board will be accompanied by Dato’ Akmal Che Mustafa, Ambassador of Malaysia in Spain, as well as Ms Noredah Othman, CEO of Sabah Tourism. In addition, Lotus Asia, Malai Adventure, EXO Travel and Asia Exotica will be present to show the main attractions of the South Asian country.

During the fair, Malaysia will present its offer of nature tourism, sustainable tourism and slow travel for those travellers interested in discovering this Southeast Asian country in the most authentic way.

Malaysia, a pioneer in sustainable tourism development

Sabah is one of Malaysia's most important ecotourism destinations. Located in the far north of Borneo, it is one of the most authentic regions of the South Asian country, known for its lush tropical forests, spectacular coral reefs, as well as the famous Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in the country at 4095 metres.

This year, Malaysia wants to highlight its natural and sustainable side, offering visitors an authentic ecotourism experience. This is demonstrated by the launch of the National Ecotourism Plan 2016-2025 under the slogan "tourism protects, preserves and conserves nature, culture and heritage". In this way, Malaysia aims to create synergies between local communities, the economy and tourism to encourage respectful interaction between locals and visitors, where visitors can discover Malaysian culture through locals and with a positive impact on the community.

In Malaysia, there are several regions where travellers can experience a real ecotourism adventure, such as the aforementioned Sabah, where a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is a must; Sarawak (Borneo Island) and Mulu National Park, with its caves and karst formations within a vast mountain jungle; Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak (northern Peninsular Malaysia); and the Rantau Abang Turtle Hatchery in eastern Peninsular Malaysia. At all these stops, conservation efforts to promote and raise awareness of the importance of sustainability are globally recognised.

A country full of Magic

Malaysia is a country full of attractions, where tradition and nature form an unforgettable blend. Among those that most attract the attention of Spanish travellers are its lush tropical rainforest, exotic culture and delicious cuisine. Each region of the country offers a different experience; both Peninsular Malaysia, where the capital Kuala Lumpur is located, and East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.

Malaysia is one of the twelve most biologically diverse countries in the world, with at least 15 000 species of flowering plants, 1500 species of terrestrial vertebrates and some 150 000 species of invertebrates, as well as countless micro-organisms.

Malaysia's national parks range from vast forests and mangrove reserves to marine parks. Thanks to this rich landscape, the lush rainforests and warm oceans provide the perfect backdrop for observing wildlife in its natural habitat.

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Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

For enquiries, please contact:

Mohd Libra Lee Haniff

Director

Tel: +33 14297 4171

muadz@tourism.gov.my

Tel: +603 8891 8755