IRDA To Place Emphasis On Developing Eco-Tourism.

Date: 17 December 2012

IRDA To Place Emphasis On Developing Eco-Tourism.

JOHOR BAHARU (Bernama) - Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) is placing emphasis on developing eco-tourism in Iskandar Malaysia to offer an alternative tourism attraction other than theme parks.

IRDA commissioner Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim said it was committed in achieving a balanced development in Johor's eco-tourism sector alongside the state's man made attractions such as the Legoland Malaysia Theme Park and the Puteri Harbour Indoor Family Theme Park.

"Iskandar Malaysia is currently experiencing vast economic development but it is also important to create a sustainable metropolis," he said at a press conference after launching the Iskandar Malaysia National Eco-tourism Summit at Persada Johor here Monday.

He said IRDA had adopted Kampung Sungai Melayu, popular for its bird watching activities, as their pilot project to develop the eco-tourism sector.

The villagers were given education on how to differentiate local and migratory birds to ensure that they provided correct information to bird lovers as the village was one of the stops for thousands of migratory birds from Russia, annually.

On the summit, Badrul said about 150 domestic and international delegates would be engaged in knowledge-sharing seminars and workshops on ways to develop the industry in Johor.

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