Latest news with #UnescoGlobalGeopark
Daily Express
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Unesco status not mere badge: Liew
Published on: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 24, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Liew (fifth left) joins others in cutting a Mt Kinabalu-shaped cake to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of Kinabalu Geopark as a Unesco Global Geopark. Kota Kinabalu: Unesco Global Geopark status should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a symbolic accolade, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew. She underscored the need for stronger cooperation across all levels of government and civil society to maintain and grow Malaysia's geopark credentials. 'Let us not treat Unesco recognition as a mere badge of honour. It comes with responsibility to protect, educate and uplift,' she said at the opening of the Malaysia Geopark Network Conference 2025 on Thursday, Malaysia currently has two Unesco Global Geoparks - Langkawi (recognised in 2007) and Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah (recognised in 2023). Kinabalu Geopark is now celebrating its second anniversary as part of the Unesco network, said Liew, and affirmed Sabah's commitment to sustainable environmental leadership. Liew emphasised that geoparks are not simply tourist attractions, but critical sites for environmental education, community empowerment and heritage preservation. Advertisement 'They are spaces where we preserve history, empower communities and prove that conservation and economic development can progress side by side,' she said. Despite progress, she warned of ongoing challenges, including funding constraints, lack of skilled personnel, low public awareness of geoheritage and insufficient coordination between agencies. The conference brings together stakeholders from across the country, including government agencies, academics, NGOs and local leaders, to share insights and develop strategies for more resilient and inclusive geopark management. Liew also called for greater involvement from the private sector, urging responsible investments in ethical geo-tourism and asking local communities to actively champion the preservation of their natural heritage. Jointly organised by Sabah Parks and the Malaysia Geopark Network, the conference is expected to shape future national policies and deepen Malaysia's role in global geoconservation efforts. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The National
11-05-2025
- The National
Taking in ‘Scotland in miniature' on my trip to Arran
'This clean, green island has long been a rich place of abundance.' I couldn't agree more – I come to Arran every year seeking my own sustenance, my own affirmation in this deeply special island. For me, with Scotland's seventh largest island, it's personal. One side of my family hails from the south of the island and I still have relatives in Shiskine. The majority of my childhood holidays were spent doon the watter and now I take my own children to revel in Arran's charms too. I didn't realise until I started travelling the globe just how special our 'Scotland in Miniature' really is. Arran is an island that rewards repeat visits as there is always something different to discover. This may be around my fiftieth visit, but it's the first time I've actually seen the famous 'Doctor's Bath' on the shoreline at Corrie –patients were once prescribed saltwater bathing cures here. You can still ease down the steps that were cut into the sandstone rocks to help you enter the 'bath'. READ MORE: Wildfire 'bigger than five football pitches' near Scottish town I've not got out to (James) Hutton's Unconformity near Lochranza either. So I eke around the dramatically rugged coastline in search of the rock formations that were pivotal in how we understand geology and the age of - and indeed the ageing of - the earth. Geology is big news still in Arran as last month the island was officially recognised as a Unesco Global Geopark. This puts the official stamp on this unique island's already remarkable geology, which is the root of those 'Scotland in Miniature' epithets. The Geopark status really puts Arran on the map as there are only three in Scotland and 10 in all of the UK. It will attract attention globally and help in Arran's continued determination to plough a sustainable development furrow. I don't take the plunge in the Doctor's Bath, but I do get in the chilly spring sea in Whiting Bay. A helping hand comes from Stonesthrow Sauna. Their mobile sauna sets up on spectacular stretches of Arran's coastline. The idea is that you warm yourself up in the wooden sauna and then brave the Firth of Clyde, that hot and cold Scandinavian health vibe. It's brilliant fun and a spirit-soaring success that leaves me buzzing all day. It's said to have all kinds of health benefits and takes the joy of wild swimming to another level. Another positive experience comes with the aforementioned Zoë. She is an expert forager and looks the part, waiting for me in the woodlands draped in a cloak and carrying a wicker basket. Soon what just looks like a forest to me becomes nature's supermarket and I'm snacking on leaves and shoots under her watchful guidance. 'There is food everywhere,' Zoë tells me. 'Arran is a nourishing island if you know where to look and I teach people that on my tours.' I enjoy food of a more conventional kind at the superb Drift Inn. I've watched over the last few decades as this waterfront oasis on Lamalsh Bay has grown from a simple pub into a classy eating venue with driftwood-style tables, a glazed front section and waterside seating too. The views over the water to Holy Isle are sublime. They deliver on the plate too: perfectly seared scallops spiced with a chorizo crumb sets my tastebuds tingling, before a satisfying main of beer battered langoustines and chips. I eat very well at two other venues on this visit. I love what the dynamic guys at the Corrie Hotel have done to the place since they took over in 2022. Their latest project is having a seal fashioned from local granite to replace 'Clyde', the old wooden seal who used to sit on a rock in the waters just outside, fooling many a tourist driving by. Their kitchen works with the excellent Bellevue Farm on their meat sourcing, with serious quality produce. The bedrooms are tasteful too at a boutique bolthole I really rate. I also enjoy dinner at the Ormidale Hotel. It is very Arran – it's been in the same family for 70 years and you can feel the pride and passion. They only have seven rooms. I tuck into a delicious scampi and chips, followed by homemade apple crumple and Arran Dairies' ice cream. It's a satisfying feast served at a wooden Arran-shaped table peering out towards Goatfell, Arran's iconic mountain. READ MORE: Scottish Greens call for end to monarchy ahead of major pro-Republic rally With the swish new ferry, the Glen Sannox, now up and running, Arran's ferry woes seem finally to be easing. This new Clyde-built vessel is a joy to sail on, so there has never been a better time to ease over and enjoy Arran's multifarious charms. I've still not yomped out to Carn Ban, not yet hiked the new trail from the Ross Road to Shiskine or seen what the Arran Butcher has done with his second premises in Brodick. Arran is a naturally rich island that just keeps on giving. CalMac ( ferries to Arran sail from Troon and Ardrossan on the mainland, with a third route from Claonaig on the Cowal Peninsula. For more information see
South China Morning Post
19-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
What crowds? Hong Kong geopark hotspot quiet on Easter holiday after warnings
A popular area in Hong Kong's internationally recognised geopark has been attracting few visitors over the Easter holiday after social media users posted warnings about long waiting times for public transport. Advertisement The small crowds on Saturday afternoon at High Island Reservoir's East Dam in Sai Kung were in sharp contrast to the chaos of previous weekends, when visitors reportedly had to wait hours for taxis and minibuses. The site, which is part of the city's Unesco Global Geopark, has become a hotspot for mainland Chinese visitors after it was promoted on various social media platforms. But users of the mainland's popular RedNote platform recently posted warnings about visiting the area on weekends, showing images of hundreds of visitors queuing for minibuses on a Saturday last month. Some suggested waiting times could be as long as three hours, while others said taxi drivers charged additional fees. Lawmakers have previously called on the government to improve transport services and infrastructure at the East Dam. Photo Dickson Lee Only small groups of mainland visitors and locals made the trip out to the dam on Saturday afternoon. Several taxis and minibuses, the only transport to and from the area, waited nearby.
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How Hong Kong can tap the potential of its island economies-in-waiting
Recent discussions in Beijing over Hong Kong's tourism have emphasised the potential of its islands and coastal resources for the development of distinctive experiences. Advertisement Returning from her visit, Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, spoke of how Hong Kong could innovate within the tourism sector. Indeed, Hong Kong's islands and coastline hold vast tourism potential, their breathtaking natural wonders blending with the city's rich cultural heritage. Hong Kong's Unesco Global Geopark showcases dramatic geological formations. Our diverse ecosystems offer ever-changing landscapes. Quaint fishing villages dot the shoreline, preserving unique traditions, while the vibrant intangible cultural heritage – from festivals to folk arts – adds to the charm. Pristine beaches and world-class fishing spots cater to leisure seekers while the thriving seafood scene promises culinary delights. This seamless fusion of nature and culture lays a solid foundation for a flourishing, multifaceted island tourism industry. It sets the scene for business travellers to experience both the bustling city and the tranquil islands – a Hong Kong of dual charms, as both a city of neon lights and a calm resort, and all within a short stay. The government should fully leverage Hong Kong's tourism resources to offer island-hopping, particularly in relation to business tourism. Hong Kong's islands boast a mix of well-developed tourist destinations like Cheung Chau and Lamma Island , and secluded but emerging spots such as Tap Mun and Green Egg Island, providing diverse offshore experiences. However, in promoting island tourism and coastal development, careful consideration must be given to the carrying capacity and supporting infrastructure of each location. Advertisement Tap Mun, also known as Grass Island, has struggled in recent years with overcrowding during the holidays due to its limited facilities. Insufficient ferry services often result in long queues of tourists at Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier, highlighting the strain on existing facilities.
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Improve transport services at Hong Kong geopark to support tourism: lawmakers
Hong Kong should improve transport services and infrastructure at an internationally recognised geopark, lawmakers said on Friday, as the site's popularity triggered concerns over illegal taxi charges and visitors making dangerous climbs in the area. Advertisement But a minister a day earlier cautioned against building more infrastructure at the High Island Reservoir East Dam, which is part of the city's Unesco Global Geopark in Sai Kung East, because of the potentially harmful impact on the local environment. The wider location has become a popular hotspot for visitors and the focus of various promotions on popular mainland Chinese social media platforms. Images posted online showed hundreds of visitors waiting at the geopark to get minibuses during public holidays. 'The site is located in a restricted area where visitors can only walk, or take minibuses or taxis to reach the location, which may result in many people waiting to leave in the evening,' lawmaker Stanley Li Sai-wing told a radio programme on Friday. Advertisement 'I hope minibus operators can extend their service hours to handle the long queue of visitors.' Local media outlets also quoted some mainland tourists who said taxi drivers had charged them about HK$600 (US$77) to travel from the park to a spot near Sai Wan Beach instead of the expected fare of around HK$60.
