Sabah is leading Malaysia’s green tourism surge, with more eco-conscious travelers, while Tourism Malaysia intensifies sustainability efforts across the country.

The growing interest in eco-friendly tourism among Malaysian travellers is proving to be promising, particularly in Sabah, where over 2.1 million green tourists were recorded from January to August, according to Assoc Prof Dr Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, director of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation.

“Domestic tourism has contributed to over 80% of tourism revenue in 2024, benefiting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and promoting community-based tourism in rural areas. A 27.2% rise in tourism spending is expected to inject RM50 billion into the GDP, with cities like Ipoh and Alor Setar set to benefit.”

Mohd Hafiz emphasized the need for responsible tourism practices and infrastructure improvements to address environmental concerns at iconic destinations like Pulau Langkawi and Cameron Highlands.

Tourism Malaysia is ramping up efforts to overcome the challenges of sustainable tourism.

In response to these challenges, Tourism Malaysia is working to streamline policies by collaborating with relevant agencies, improving coordination, and encouraging sustainability within local communities.