THE OPENING OF SEBERANG PERAI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECOTOURISM AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS (SPICEC) “PROMOTING LED THROUGH ECOTOURISM”

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
AT THE OPENING OF SEBERANG PERAI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECOTOURISM AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS (SPICEC)
“PROMOTING LED THROUGH ECOTOURISM”

THE LIGHT HOTEL
8 OCTOBER 2018 (MONDAY)

 

The Honourable Dato’ Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif
General and Executive Director of United Nations Human Settlements Programme

The Honourable Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi
Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC

The Honourable Mr. Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts And Culture

The Honorable Dato’ Ir. Haji Ahmad Zakiyuddin Bin Abdul Rahman
Deputy Chief Minister of Penang (I)

The Honourable Prof. Dr Ramasamy s/o Palanisamy
Deputy Chief Minister of Penang (II)

The Honourable State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament

Councillors of Seberang Perai Municipal Council

The Honourable Dato’ Sr Haji Rozali bin Haji Mohamud
President
Seberang Perai Municipal Council

Ir Hjh Rosnani bt Hj Mahmod
Municipal Secretary
Seberang Perai Municipal Council

Head of Departments and Officers
Seberang Perai Municipal Council

Yang Berbahagia Dato’- Dato’, Datin-Datin,

Distinguished Speakers and Participants;

Members of the Media

Honoured guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Distinguished Speakers and Guests

Member of Media

Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good morning and welcome to everyone present here. I would like to thank MPSP for inviting me to officiate Seberang Perai International Conference on Ecotourism and Conservation Efforts (SPICEC 2018). This is the second time Seberang Perai hosting an international conference, featuring expert speakers from various countries; Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Kenya. Tourism is considered as a sector that can contribute to the three pillars of sustainability, namely economy, social and environment. I am glad that MPSP decide to focus this year SPICEC in “Promoting Local Economic Development (LED) Through Ecotourism”. I believe that MPSP decided to embrace ecotourism as your main tourism product, not only for its economic value, but for the positive impact on the nature itself. Even though tourism is not your core business, MPSP putting the effort to make Seberang Perai a world class tourist destination.

With increasing number of tourists in Penang, Seberang Perai also want to have its fair share from the tourism industry. This Conference objective is providing platform for discussion and sharing of knowledge and best practices with regards to ecotourism and LED and promoting ecotourism products. I hope that SPICEC 2018 will establish networking and collaboration for the international community in ecotourism. The fact that Georgetown was able to attract more tourists since being listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is not easy for a local government to initiate campaigns to promote tourism products, as our resources are limited.

The green atmosphere can enhance anyone who loves the nature. This conference will not only benefit the big industry player but also to take care of the local trader. This conference also will be an avenue for the academia and NGO to share their knowledge and best practise on how to promote ecotourism and local economic development without limiting the nature conservation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that today’s conference is not only about featuring Seberang Perai as an ecotourism destination, but also an avenue to create a forum for local governments in Malaysia and ASEAN to share ideas and work towards nature conservations by mainstreaming the ecotourism industry. I hope the conference will be useful avenue for all the delegates who are keen to develop their knowledge in ecotourism and nature conservation. We are looking forward to playing a role in the development of the ecotourism industry in the region and believe SPICEC 2018 will pave a way for that.

Conservation of the nature becomes a necessity while the world is facing climate change. Climate change is definitely not a hoax, and everyone should play their role to fight the global warming. Development of ecotourism will have positive impact on the climate change, as the experts noted. The only choice the tourism industry players have at the moment is, to mainstream the ecotourism. Ecotourism is no longer a dull subject. It is about the time we give importance to the ecotourism, as a tool to conserve the nature and empower the local communities.

Thank you.