Pahang should tap into booming premium birding market, says state rep
KUANTAN: An appointed assemblyman has proposed that the Pahang government intensify efforts to capitalise on avitourism, or birdwatching, a highly specialised area of nature-based tourism.
Rizal Jamin described birdwatching as a premium product that had gained popularity, particularly among high-income groups, especially foreigners.
"Birdwatching, or avitourism, is a recreational activity that involves cataloguing bird species in a specific habitat and documenting sightings of various species, particularly those that are rare or seldom found in the area.
"The activity typically requires the use of high-powered binoculars, digital cameras, and mobile apps for bird species identification. Avitourism guides are experienced and certified in eco-tourism," he said during the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, at the state assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang today.
Rizal said that the Grand View Research database estimated the global market size of avitourism at nearly US$63 billion (RM283 billion) in 2023, and it is expected to continue growing in the coming years due to increasing demand for eco-tourism activities.
"I had the opportunity to participate in a birdwatching activity last month, during which I was taken on a boat ride in Lipis. A total of 42 species, including rare birds such as the Great Slaty Woodpecker and the Black Hornbill, were spotted," he said.
"The fee for an avitourism guide ranges from RM500 to RM550 per day, providing a lucrative income for those in rural areas. I would like to propose that avitourism be developed as one of the key tourism products in Pahang," he added.
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