LADA To Promote Bird Tourism In Langkawi

http://bird-malaysia.com/asian-bird-fair/

LANGKAWI, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) will promote bird tourism in an effort to attract more tourists, particularly wildlife enthusiasts, from around the globe, said Lada chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli.

He said more than 230 bird species had been recorded on the legendary island, thus making bird tourism a potential in attracting tourists who pursued birdwatching as a recreational activity.

"In Langkawi, there are three species of hornbill and, interestingly, we have recorded a total of 104 Great Hornbills on this island at one time.

"Bird tourism has the potential to be developed on this island and would be of great benefit for us in Langkawi," he told reporters after opening the 2015 Fifth Asian Bird Fair 2015 at the Oriental Village here today.

He said that by integrating birdwatching as a tourist attraction, local residents too stood to gain as this would further contribute to the local economy. Khalid said Lada had also organised several workshops to educate the local community on the opportunities available from bird tourism.

Additionally, he said, LADA would also develop a butterfly farm on the island, considering there were over 550 species of butterfly in Langkawi. He said this would add value to the Langkawi eco-tourism as the island was blessed with a diversity of flora and fauna.

Commenting on the two-day Asian Bird Fair, which began today, he said this was the first time Malaysia played host since the event was first organised in the Philippines in 2010. The sixth annual event will take place in Singapore next year.
-bernama.