Sabah will debut its birding route at the prestigious Global BirdFair in Rutland, United Kingdom, showcasing the state as an ideal birdwatching destination, especially highlighting its rural areas.
Scheduled for July 12-14, state Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, will lead the Sabah delegation to the event.
Participating organizations under STB include 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 in Sabah. Many rural areas are home to rare and endemic bird species, making them ideal destinations for birdwatching enthusiasts,” said Joniston.
“Birdwatching is increasingly popular among European tourists, with the UK alone having a birding community of more than a million. Our goal is to promote these rural destinations to enhance their visibility on the global stage. Participating in the Global BirdFair offers us a platform to showcase our unique bird species and their habitats to an international audience,” he added.
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 cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 but was revived in March 2022 and rebranded as Global BirdFair. Sabah Tourism Board first participated in 2009 and continued to take part in the event in 2022 and 2023.
