UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS

lUDUL KLIA PEAT SWAMP FOREST RESERVE: ITS POTENTIAL AS A NATURE TOURISM SITE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

DAZAH SARlANA SAINS DALAM PELANCONGAN ALAM SEMULAlADI

SESI PENGAlIAN 2003/2004

Saya, NORAINI@SUNARTI MAKLADIN mengaku membenarkan tesis sarjana Inl

disimpan di perpustakaan Universiti Malaysia Sabah dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan

seperti berikut :

1. Tesis adalah hak milik Universiti Malaysia Sabah. 2. Perpustakaan Universiti Malaysia Sabah dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk

tujuan pengajian sahaja. 3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan tesis ini sebagai bahan pertukaran

antara institusi pengajian tinggi. 4. TIDAK TERHAD.

Penulis : Noraini@Sunarti Makladin

Alamat : Peti Surat 1695

91041 Tawau

Saba'h

Tahun : 2008

Disahkan oleh

TANDATANGAN PUSTAKAWAN

Penyelia : Datin Hjh.Prof.Dr. Maryati Mohamad

Tarikh : _____ _

Penyelia bersama :Encik Zulhazman Hamzah

Tarikh : ______ _

CATATAN : Tesis dimaksudkan sebagai tesis Ijazah Doktor Falsafah dan Sarjana secara penyelidikn atau disertasi bagi pengajian secara kerja kursus dan penyelidikan, atau laporan Projek Sarjana Muda (LPSM).

KLIAS PEAT SWAMP FOREST RESERVE: ITS POTENTIAL AS A NATURE TOURISM SITE

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

NOORAINI @ SUNARTI BINTI MAKLADIN

PERPUSTAKAAN lBMBSITI MALAVSIA SABAH

THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE

INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH 2006

DECLARATION

The materials in this thesis are original except for quotations, excerpts, summaries and references, which have been duly acknowledged.

1st JANUARY 2007

Cf!. NOORAINI @ SUNARTI BINTI MAKLADIN

PS 2003-005-015

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Mercy-Giving.

First of all, I would like to express my high gratitude to Allah for giving me strength to finish this study.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Prof. Datin Dr. Maryati Mohamed, my supervisor for her encouragement and guidance, throughout the study and writing up of my thesis. I am grateful to Mr. Zulhazman Hamzah as my co­supervisor for his assistance and support. Without supervision from both my supervisors, this study will not be successfully done.

Deepest gratitude is also extended to the scholarship of this study, Majlis Penyelidikan Kemajuan Sains Negara (MPKSN), and research grant from UNDP/GEF Funded Project-MAL/99/31. I would also like to thank the Sabah Forestry Department (Kimanis) for the permission to do this study in the Klias Peat Swamp Forest Reserve, and also for the fieldworkers who help me during fieldwork in the forest reserve.

Many thanks to the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, to all the lecturers and staff and also to my fellow friends for all their support and helps.

Last but not least, to my beloved family, to mum and dad, and also to brothers and sisters, and my grandparents for their prayers and constant encouragement, which have spurred me to complete this study successfully.

NOORAINI @ SUNARTI BINTI MAKLADIN UNIVERSm MALAYSIA SABAH 1 st JANUARY 2007

iii

ABSTRACT

KLIAS PEAT SWAMP FOREST RESERVE: ITS POTENTIAL AS A NATURE TOURISM SITE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The Klias Peat Swamp Forest Reserve (PSFR) is one of the two remaining peat swamp forests in Sabah with an area of 3630 hectares and composed mainly of mixed peat swamp forest. It has been gazetted as Class 1 Forest Reserve and was surrounded by human settlements. The objectives of this study were: (i) to identify the potential nature tourism products of Klias PSFR, (ii) to study the local community perceptions on nature tourism and (iii) to recommend potential nature tourism activities that can be developed. Currently, there were no tourism activities done within the forest reserve and its surrounding areas. Nature tourism in Klias PSFR is a good match for biodiversity conservations and rural developments as it can improve the quality of life and conserve the natural resources. The study was carried out in six stages which are includes of formulating the study goals and objectives, site survey and inventory of potential tourism products. In term of studying local community perceptions, the questionnaire survey method was used and the data was analysed using SPSS software. Klias PSFR offers numerous of attractions including flora, fauna and landscape. There were more than 100 species of plants in Klias PSFR, five taxa of fauna including six species which are indicator species related to the peat swamp forest type habitat and also four types of scenic landscape. Majority (90.43%) of the local community knew what nature tourism is and willing to participate in it. They (96.81%) also agreed that nature tourism is a good approach to improve their living condition in Klias PSFR. In Klias PSFR, several nature tourism activities could be developed especially environmental education, nature intepretation, adventure activities and wildlife observation to educate and entertain local or foreign tourists.

Keyword: Nature tourism, nature tourism products, perceptions, tourism activities.

iv

ABSTRAK

Hutan Simpan Paya Gambut K/ias ada/ah salah satu daripada hutan paya gambut yang terdapat di Sabah dengan ke/uasan 3630 hektar. Hutan ini merupakan hutan paya gambut campuran. fa te/ah diwartakan menjadi Hutan Simpan Ke/as 1 dan dike/i/ingi o/eh kawasan perumahan di sekitarnya. Objektif kajian ini dija/ankan ada/ah: (i) untuk mengena/pasti produk-produk pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi yang berpotensi di Hutan Simpan Paya Gambut K/ias, (ii) mengkaji persepsi penduduk kampung mengenai pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi di hutan simpan K/ias dan (iii) untuk mencadangkan aktiviti-aktiviti pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi yang berpotensi untuk dibangunkan. Pada masa ini, tiada aktiviti pe/ancongan dibuat di hutan simpan K/ias dan kawasan sekitarnya. Pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi di Hutan Simpan Paya Gambut K/ias ada/ah suatu padanan yang baik untuk pemu/iharaan kepe/bagaian bi%gi dan pembangunan /uar bandar kerana ianya bo/eh memperbaiki kua/iti hidup dan memu/ihara sumber-sumber semu/ajadi. Kajian ini dija/ankan me/a/ui enam peringkat yang merangkumi pembentukan objektif dan got kajian, survei ke kawasan kajian dan inventori produk-produk pe/ancongan yang berpotensi. Manaka/a, untuk mengkaji persepsi penduduk, kaedah soa/-se/idik digunakan dan data yang dipero/ehi diana/isis menggunakan perisian SPSS. Hutan simpan ini menawarkan banyak tarikan pe/ancongan termasuk/ah flora, fauna dan /anskap. Terdapat /ebih daripada 100 spesies flora da/am hutan simpan K/ias dan sekitarannya, lima takson fauna termasuk/ah enam spesies yang menjadi penunjuk kepada habitat jenis hutan paya gambut dan empat jenis /anskap yang menartk. Sebahagian besar (90.43%) daripada penduduk kampung mempunyai pengetahuan mengenai pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi dan berminat untuk terlibat da/am aktiviti ini. Mereka juga berpendapat bahawa pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi ada/ah satu pendekatan yang balk untuk meningkatkan taraf hidup dengan peratusan sebanyak 96.81 %. Da/am Hutan Simpan Paya Gambut K/ias, pe/bagai aktiviti pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi berpotensi untuk dibangunkan terutamanya pendidikan a/am sekitar, intepretasi a/am semu/ajadi, aktiviti-aktiviti /asak dan aktiviti pemerhatian hidupan liar untuk pe/ancong-pe/ancong dari da/am dan /uar negara.

Kata kunci : Pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi, produk pe/ancongan a/am semu/ajadi, perseps/~ aktiviti pe/ancongan.

v

CONTENTS

Declaration Acknowledgement Abstract Abstrak Content List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations/Symbols List of Appendices

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 General 1.2 Justification 1.3 Study Scope 1.4 Objective

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Concepts and Definition of Nature Tourism 2.2 Tourism and Environment 2.3 Status of Nature Tourism in Sabah

2.3.1 Nature Tourism Destination 2.3.2 Potential of Nature Tourism in Sabah 2.3.3 Sabah Tourism Industry 2.3.4 Issues and Challenges of Nature Tourism in Sabah

2.4 Flora and Fauna in Nature Tourism 2.5 Klias Peat Swamp Forest Reserve

2.5.1 Vegetation 2.5.2 Geography and Hydrology 2.5.3 Climate 2.5.4 Wildlife 2.5.5 Population and Villages

2.6 Importance and Benefits of Nature Tourism 2.7 The Impact of Nature Tourism

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 3.1 Study Site 3.2 Methodology

3.2.1 Preliminary Work 3.2.2 Site Survey 3.2.3 Inventory of Potential Nature Tourism Products 3.2.4 Questionnaire Survey 3.2.5 Data Analyses 3.2.6 Result Discussion and Recommendation

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Page

ii iii iv v vi viii ix xi xii

1 2 3 4

5 6 6 7 8 10 13 14 16 18 18 18 20 21 21 22

24 24 26 26 27 29 30 31

CHAPTER 4: RESULT 4.1 Inventory and Documentation of Potential Nature Tourism Products 32

in Klias PSFR 4.1.1 Flora 32 4.1.2 Fauna 42 4.1.3 Landscape 49

4.2 The Responses From the Questionnaire Survey 52 4.2.1 Profiles of Respondents 53 4.2.2 Respondent Opinion of Klias PSFR 57 4.2.3 Respondent Perceptions on Nature Tourism 60

4.3 Inventory of Infrastructures and Facilities 65 4.4 Potential Nature Tourism Activities 66

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION 5.1 Potential Nature Tourism Products of Klias PSFR 69 5.2 Infrastructures and Facilities in Klias PSFR 73 5.3 Local Community Perception on Nature Tourism 74 5.4 Potential Nature Tourism Activities and Recommendations 76

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 81

References 82 Appendices 88

vii

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 2.1 Map of Klias PSFR and its surrounding villages 17

Figure 2.2 River systems of Klias PSFR 19

Figure 3.1 Map of Klias Peat Swamp Forest Reserve 25

Figure 3.2 Study flowchart 26

Figure 3.3 Location of Kg. Suasa, Kg. Bukau and Kg. Pulai Manang 30

Figure 4.1 Map of locations where Nepenthes sp. can be found 35 within Klias PSFR

Figure 4.2 Nepenthes ampul/aria are common on the forest floor 36 of Klias PSFR

Figure 4.3 Map of locations where Dipterocarp or big trees can be 38 found within Klias PSFR

Figure 4.4 Big trees commonly found in the core area of Klias PSFR 39

Figure 4.5 Map of locations where Red palms tree can be found 40 within Klias PSFR

Figure 4.6 Red palms of the edge of forest reserve 41

Figure 4.7 Locations where the Proboscis monkey can be observed 45

Figure 4.8 Proboscis monkey can be easily observe along the rivers of 46 Klias PSFR

Figure 4.9 The mixed peat swamp forest of Klias PSFR 50

Figure 4.10 The lower Sg. Padas 51

Figure 4.11 Black-water forested-pool of Klias PSFR 52

Figure 4.12 Klias PSFR as a nature tourism site 59

Figure 4.13 The most attractive tourism products of Klias PSFR 62

Figure 4.14 Local community opinion on nature tourism in Klias PSFR 65

viii

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 2.1 Ten most preferred places of interest for touring in Sabah by 7 tourists (Chan & Yeoh, 2001)

Table 2.2 International tourism receipts to Sabah Year 2002 10

Table 2.3 Top spenders in Sabah Year 2002 10

Table 2.4 Visitor arrivals by nationality to Sabah (1998-2002) 11

Table 2.5 Sabah themed categories of tourism products 11

Table 4.1 Nature tourism products of flora in Klias PSFR 32

Table 4.2 Medicinal and edible food plants used by local peoples 41 (Mashitah, 2005)

Table 4.3 Indicator species related to peat swamp forest type 42 habitat (UNDPjGEFFunded Project, 2003)

Table 4.4 Nature tourism products of fauna in Klias PSFR 43

Table 4.5 PhYSical products of Klias PSFR 49

Table 4.6 Number of respondents taken from villages 53

Table 4.7 Age group distribution of respondents 53

Table 4.8 Gender distribution of respondents 54

Table 4.9 Age and gender group distribution of local communities 54

Table 4.10 Education level distribution among the respondents 55

Table 4.11 Profession distribution among the respondents 55

Table 4.12 Monthly income of the respondents 56

Table 4.13 Cross tabulation between profession with education and 56 monthly income

Table 4.14 Length of stay of the respondents 57

Table 4.15 Knowledge about Klias PSFR 58

Table 4.16 Purpose of visit to Klias PSFR 58

ix

Table 4.17 Access to Klias PSFR by respondents 59

Table 4.18 Klias PSFR as a nature tourism site 59

Table 4.19 Cross-tabulation of knowledge of nature tourism 60 and respondents willingness to participate

Table 4.20 Source of knowledge of nature tourism among the 60 respondents

Table 4.21 Cross-tabulation of Klias PSFR as a nature tourism site with 61 respondents source of knowledge of nature tourism

Table 4.22 Cross-tabulation of contributions and benefits from nature 61 tourism

Table 4.23 Attractions of Klias PSFR 62

Table 4.24 Cross-tabulation of the most attractive flora and its criteria 63 by local community perspective

Table 4.25 Cross-tabulation of the most attractive fauna and its criteria 64 by local community perspective

Table 4.26 List of landscapes that attract tourists based on local 64 perspective

Table 4.27 Local community opinion on nature tourism in Klias PSFR 65

Table 4.28 Summary of tourism infrastructures and facilities at Klias 66 PSFR and its surrounding areas

Table 4.29 Possible activities of nature tourism in Klias PSFR 67

Table 4.30 Characteristics of potential tourism locations and its 67 potential/suitable activities

Table 5.1 Comparison between Klias PSFR1 Garama and Lower 73 Kinabatangan Wildlife sanctuary

x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/SYMBOLS

P5FR Peat 5wamp Forest Reserve 5g. River (sungai) Kg. Village (kampung) RM Malaysian Ringgit kg kilogram m metre km kilometre sp. species % Percentage

xi

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix A List of plant species in Klias Forest Reserve (Chai, 2005) 88

Appendix B Bird species of conservation significance recorded at Klias 90 (Howes, 2004)

Appendix C List of mammals of Klias PSFR (Yasuma & Andau, 2000) 91

Appendix D Resource Inventory Form 92

Appendix E Datasheet for site survey 95

Appendix F Questionnaire for local residents 96

Appendix G Pictures of Klias PSFR and its surroundings 103

xii

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

Nowadays, tourism is one of the growing sectors of the global economy. The

industry has experienced a rapid growth in this century and Southeast Asia is one

of the important and fastest growing tourist destinations in the world (Wong,

1998). In Malaysia, tourism has started as early as 1980s (Peters, 1999). With high

quality tourism products such as multi-races and cultures, national parks, forest

reserves and protected areas, tourism has become the second biggest income

generating industry in Malaysia in the year 2000 (Tourism Malaysia, 2001).

Tourism may be defined in many ways according to the underlying purpose

of the definition. There are some general accepted aspects in defining tourism. The

first aspect concerns purpose or motivation of the visit, and the second element

concerns time, that stresses important differences between day trips and voyages

that involve overnight stays (Hall, 1995).

The term nature tourism has been defined as travel to natural areas and

participation in nature-related activities without degrading the environment and

preferably promoting natural resource conservation (Wong, 1994). Nature tourism

can also be best defined as travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with

the specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild

plants and animals (Boo, 1990; Wong, 1994).

The term nature tourism and ecotourism have been used interchangeably

(Maryati et al., 2000). In contrast to nature tourism which is defined as travel for

the purpose to enjoy undeveloped natural areas, ecotourism is low impact nature

tourism which contributes to the maintenance of species and habitats either directly

through a contribution to conservation and/or indirectly by providing revenue to the

community.

In realisation of high value of tourism products in certain area will make the

place have the potential to be promoted as a new tourism site. In this context, the

word potential is refer to existing possibility which is capable to be develop as a

tourism site. For instance, Lower Kinabatangan area is once a local settlements

with majority of its population is doing small-scale agricultural activities and fishing,

but nowadays, it has become one of the major tourism attraction in Sabah because

of the people have realized that biodiversity in their place have the potential to

develop and carrying out the tourism activities. In relation with this, study of nature

tourism potential in Klias PSFR is feasible because of the high value of biodiversity

and other natural resources makes this place capable to be develop as a new

tourism site.

Nature tourism, to be successful, must promote sustainable development.

Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of tourist and host regions to

protect and enhance the opportunity of future. Along with recent thinking on

sustainable development, as well as appropriate and low impact tourism, the

concept of carrying capacity management creates the notion of an approach to

tourism that permits it to grow within acceptable limits. On one hand tourism

industry can be a large contributor to the economic development on the other hand

it could bring negative impacts that need costs to solve.

Nature tourism activity may help governments to improve their

management of natural resources and also gives economic incentives. It is also

supposed to attract foreign investment (Shores, 2002).

1.2 Justification

The study on nature tourism was important to be implemented in Klias PSFR, which

is a good match for the community and environment, where it can improve the

quality of life, conserve the natural resources and also provides job opportunities

that can increase the local revenues. With the current socio-economic condition of

local villagers in Klias PSFR which is their main dilemma is poverty, there is need of

effort to increase their income. To do this, study on nature tourism is important and

must be implemented in the area so that the people will know that their place have

2

the potential to be developed and also they will get participate in the tourism

activities so that they can improve their life status.

Therefore, nature tourism also can be promoted as a tool for biodiversity

conservation and rural development. However, to achieve the goals, proper

planning and management is required.

Awareness of nature tourism must be generated among the local

communities to enable them to weigh in the advantages and disadvantages of

nature tourism industry in their area. The development of nature tourism in a

proper manner should be done in Klias because it will be expected in the future

there will be many tourists entering the Sabah mainland from Brunei Darussalam,

Indonesia, Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan.

Lee (1997) said that nature-based tourism is receiving growing attention

from academicians because nature tourism activities are not only for generating the

economic profits, but also to develop awareness and educate people of the

importance conservation of biodiversity and environment.

It also can encourage the integration of nature and heritage tourism into a

comprehensive land-use plans. Besides that, it may increase private sectors and

local community participation in natural, cultural and commercial tourism assets.

1.3 Study Scope

The study was carried out at the Klias PSFR of Klias Peninsula, Sabah. The Klias

Peninsula is an extensive wetland area of approximately 130 000 hectares. It

contains an outstanding example of peat swamp forest which are Klias PSFR and

Binsulok PSFR, 3630 ha and 12 196 ha, respectively (Maryati et al., 2000).

Klias PSFR was gazetted as a Class 1 forest reserve and under jurisdiction of

Sabah Forest Department (Mohd. Noh & Zulistiana, 2000). The natural vegetation

comprises of several diverse wetland habitats ranging from mangroves, open

marshes and peat swamp forest.

3

A study on nature tourism potential was done to promote Klias PSFR and its

surrounding area as another tourism destination by assessing its natural resources

for tourism purposes and also to study the local people perception on nature

tourism, besides to come out with some recommendations on nature tourism

activities that can be developed in this area. A fresh inventory of the tourism

resources and supply was carried out to complement secondary information

extracted from various resources.

1.4 Objective

The general objective of the research is to study the potential of nature tourism at

Klias Peninsula, Sabah with emphasize on the Klias PSFR. The specific objectives

are:

a. To identify the potential nature tourism products that can be found in Klias

PSFR

b. To study the local community's perceptions on nature tourism in order to

elaborate their awareness towards nature tourism potential and products

available at Klias PSFR and also to relates with their current socio-economic

status.

c. To recommend several potential and practically suitable nature tourism

activities that can be developed in Klias PSFR based on the criteria of products

available, landscape found in the study area and the facilities provided.

4

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Concepts and Definitions of Nature Tourism

Within the recent growth in tourism research, nature tourism has certainly emerged

as one of the least clearly defined, with lack of any common agreement on what it

is, how it should be defined and how it interacts with the environments. The terms

nature tourism has been defined in various ways by researchers. However all of

them lead to one similarity that is; this kind of tourism was based on the natural

attractions and resources. Deng et al. (2002) stated that the terms nature-based

tourism is generally applied to tourism activities that depends on the use of natural

resources, in a relatively undeveloped areas, including scenery, topography,

waterways, vegetation, wildlife and cultural heritage.

Choegyal (1994) has defined nature tourism as environmentally sensitive

travel in wild and remote areas by responsible travellers. While Chew (1994)

justified tourism as "one visiting the undisturbed wilderness habitat, listening to

exotic harmonious sound of living creatures and appreciating the plants of million

years ago."

For most people, the terms ecotourism and nature tourism have the same

meaning. However, according to Maryati et al. (2000), nature tourism is travel for

the purpose of enjoying undeveloped natural areas, whereas ecotourism is a low

impact nature tourism which contributes to the maintenance of species and

habitats either directly through a contribution to conservation and/or indirectly by

providing revenue to the community. Wan Sabri and Sam Shor Nahar (1994)

agreed that nature tourism has to do with the destination and purpose of visit,

while in the shortest form; ecotourism is defined as tourism with an ecological

conscience. Another way to look at it is as managing tourism in a way to make it

ecologically sustainable.

Meanwhile, according to Page and Dowling (2002), ecotourism is a subset

of nature tourism which is a subset of tourism and there are three principles in

defining it, namely a natural setting, ecological sustainability and an

environmentally educative or interpretive element.

2.2 Tourism and Environments

The future of nature-based tourism is strongly environment resource dependent

and requires access to high quality natural environment. Tourism can benefit from

the conservation because the latter provides an array of resources and attractions

that form the basis of any type of nature-based tourism (Priskin, 2001).

Natural areas have always attracted people and with the advent of modern

travel, humans are now visiting places all over the planet (Newsome et al., 2002).

Indeed tourism to natural areas is booming and it has been estimated that it has

risen.

Ross and Wall (1999) said that in addition to the potential contributions

tourism may make to the well-being of host-communities, nature tourism, if

managed effectively, should contribute to protection and conservation of

biodiversity and natural resources in a variety of ways. Protected areas should

provide tourists with a high-quality experience in nature and, in return, protected

areas should receive environmental and economic support.

2.3 Status of Nature Tourism in Sabah

Sabah is one state in Malaysia rich in various landscapes, from the deep ocean to

the highest mountain in South East Asia. Sabah is the land of eco-treasures where

one can climb to the awesome peak of the highest mountain in the region; admire

the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world in rainforests that are millions of years

old and dive into some of the world's best underwater wonderlands. Besides that,

Sabah is also rich in exotic cultures where numerous of ethnic and customs can be

found here.

6

2.3.1 Nature Tourism Destinations

One of the most outstanding nature tourism sites in Sabah is Kinabalu Park.

Findings from several studies reveal that the most preferred places of interest for

tourists in Sabah are Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park (Chan & Yeoh, 2001)

(Figure 2.1). This is due to the cool climate and tranquillity of these two parks.

Kinabalu Park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000

and it was the first Malaysia's world heritage site (Hutton, 2002).

T bl 21 T t f d I a e en mas pre erre PI aces 0 f ' t tf t In eres or . S b h b t oUring In a a )y ounsts Referred places of interest Ranking by tourists

Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park 1

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre 2

Sandakan "Gateway to Wildlife" 3

Tunku Abdul Rahman Parks 4

Sipadan Island 5

Kota Kinabalu 6

Sabah Museum 7

Natural reserved areas - Lower 8

Kinabatangan, Sukau, Danum Valley

Beach Resorts: Shangri La's Tanjung Aru 9

Resort, Shangri La's Rasa Ria Resort and

Karambunai Nexus Resort

Tawau Hills Park 10

Source: (Chan & Yeah, 2001)

Kinabalu Park has been recognized as possessing outstanding natural

universal values and contains the most important and significant natural habitats

for conservation of biological diversity. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Malaysia (1997) have stated that montane forests are of special importance for

biological diverSity, having high concentrations of endemic flora and fauna, with

many species of plants limited to single mountain peaks.

7

Kinabalu Park is a good nature tourism site for those who are nature lovers.

This park was fully facilitated where tourist can find accommodation, administrative

buildings, restaurants and other facilities at the park headquarters itself or at the

Laban Rata (altitude 1500 metres) (Hutton, 2002). Others nature tourism sites that

can be visited near the Kinabalu Park were Mesilau and Poring Hot Spring which

was located about 25 kilometres from the park. Poring Hot Springs lies on the

southern boundary of Kinabalu Park (Sabah Tourist Association, 2005). At Poring

Hot Spring, the main tourist attraction here are open-air bathtubs fed by a

sulphurous underground spring and the canopy walkways.

One of the most accessible areas of nature tourism site, apart from Kinabalu

Park, is the Sepilok Forest Reserve, 43 square kilometres of superb lowland forest

located just 25 kilometres from Sandakan city (Hutton, 2002). Sepilok is famous for

its Orang utan Rehabilitation Centre, devoted to the conservation of one of the

most remarkable creatures found in Sabah's rainforests. The tourism attraction to

this centre is that visitors are allowed to watch the twice-daily feeding of the orang

utan, when these animals come to a wooden platform to enjoy milk and bananas.

Nearby this centre, there is a well-planned Rainforest Information Centre for

tourist to get information about the rainforests in Sabah. This centre was run by

the Sabah Forestry Department. This is one of the best interpretation centres in

Sabah (Hutton, 2002) and well worth visiting.

2.3.2 Potential of Nature Tourism in Sabah

The tourism industry has emerged in recent years as an important industry which

provides Significant forest exchange earnings for the country. Sabah, with a total

forest area of approximate 4.4 million hectares which range from coastal forests to

the montane forests on the highest mountain in the region, represents a nature

wonderland and provides many opportunities for nature tourism (Empau & Ayim,

1994).

Sabah, as part of Borneo Island is associated with impenetrable jungles and

is a mysterious land. It is known as one of the twelve mega-diversity sites in the

8

world with its rich living heritage from the well-endowed forest, mountain to river,

seas and coral reef (Liew, 2000; Chan & Yeoh, 2001). Sabah is rich with many

wonders of nature which are home to many species of flora and fauna . These make

Sabah well-known for attracting tourists because of its unspoilt nature.

According to Chew (1994), more middle class and budget hotels have been

established in Sabah to meet the demand of tourists in the state. Besides that tour

operators also have tried to improve their facilities to attract more tourists to visit

Sabah.

Nature tourism is the main focus of the tourism industry in Sabah (Chan &

Yeoh, 2001). The main attraction is the state's diverse wildlife consisting of almost

200 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds. Orang utan is the flagship

of wildlife while Raffiesia, slipper orchid and pitcher plant are the flagship of plants.

There are numerous nature-based destinations that can be found in Sabah,

such as Kinabalu Park in Kundasang, Tunku Abdul Rahman Parks, Turtle Islands

Park, Pulau Tiga, Crocker Range Park, Tawau Hills Park, Orang Utan Rehabilitation

Centre in Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tabin and Danum Valley (Chan & Yeoh, 2001).

Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park is a favourite place for mountain climbers and

for the nature lovers to observe the flora and fauna of unique lowland and montane

forest. The unspoilt beauty of popular islands such as Tunku Abdul Rahman Park,

Sipadan Island and Turtle Island Park offers a paradise for sea-farers, wind-surfing,

scuba diving, boating and swimming. Danum Valley which is a nature conservation

area provides facilities for education as well as for wilderness recreation (Chew,

1994).

The availability of rich nature attractions has enabled most of the tour

operators in Sabah emphasize their marketing on nature tourism packages. The

existing nature place products promoted by the tour operators such as jungle

trekking to observe wildlife and flora, and a special living atmosphere in the middle

of the jungle.

9

2.3.3 Sabah Tourism Industry

The tourism industry in Sabah has become one of the fastest growing industries. It

also has the potential of becoming the top income earner for Sabah. In year 2002,

Sabah Tourism Board has been recorded a total of RM 1091 million of tourist

receipts where the average per capita recorded was RM 2065.3 (Figure 2.2).

According to the record, the top spender of tourism in Sabah was United Kingdom

and Ireland where the total of RM 3754.3 averages per capita. While the least

spender recorded on that year was South Korea with RM 2591.9 averages per

capita (Figure 2.3).

Table 2.2 International tourism receipts to Sabah Year 2002

International Tourism Receipts to Sabah Year 2002

Tourism receipts (RM. Mil) 1091

Average length of stay (days) 8.6

Average per capita (RM) 2065.3

Source: Respective HotelsjResorts{fourism MalaysiajSabah Tourism Board (2003)

Table 2.3 Top Spenders in Sabah Year 2002

Top Spenders in Sabah Year 2002 (Average Per Capita) (RM)

UK & Ireland 3754.3

Canada 3653.6

Hong Kong 3431.7

Netherlands 3396.9

USA 3212.0

Australia 3195.0

Germany 2917.8

Switzerland 2850.5

France 2746.3

South Korea 2591.9

Source: Respective HotelsjResorts{fourism MalaysiajSabah Tourism Board (2003)

10

The total of tourist arrivals to Sabah was varied from year to year. Lingham

(1994) have mentioned that the government figures for Visit Malaysia Year 1990

indicated that 7.5 million tourists arrived in Malaysia while tourist arrivals in Sabah

in that year was 68671, an increase of 25 percent over the previous year. While

according to Sabah Tourism Board (2003), the record of tourist arrivals to Sabah

has increased rapidly from the year 1998 to 2002 (Figure 2.4). The most tourist

arrivals to Sabah are from Asia countries namely Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei,

Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, China and South Korea.

Table 2.4 Visitor arrivals by nationality to Sabah (1998-2004)

Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Asia 154 183 182264 206601 217797 343028 472400

Ocenia 4661 4619 5762 6178 6824 22514

Europe 15734 20341 29226 30642 32083 50139

America 7860 8615 14185 9717 10466 10466

Others 4671 6637 5844 5012 6207 6207

Source: Research Division for Sabah Tourism Board (2003)

According to Sabah Tourism Board (2003), there are six theme categories of

tourism products that can be found here, namely cultural products, nature and

wildlife products, adventure products, sports recreation, historical sites and

markets/Tamu. The categories of products and places where it can be found are

shown in Figure 2.5.

Table 2.5 Sabah themed categories of tourism products

Themed category Sites/Places of interests Products/activities

Cultural products 1. Heritage village 1. Gong making

2. Sabah Museum 2. Weavers and Parang

3. Monsopiad Cultural Village making

4. The House of Skulls, Kg. Kuai 3. Music Craftsmen

5. Rungus Longhouse

6. Tambunan Village Life

11

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