LIPIS: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, expressed hope that the establishment of the Pahang Recreation Council (MRP) would help foster greater environmental awareness among the younger generation. The ruler said that besides prioritising the preservation of the state's natural treasures, there must also be broader awareness of the importance of conserving them, as they will become a legacy and a trust for future generations. "It is everyone's responsibility, including mine and the state government, to pass on this duty to the younger generation so they can continue safeguarding our natural treasures. "The council is not merely about promoting, developing, preserving, and educating, but also about serving as the eyes and ears of the authorities to ensure that our natural heritage is protected for future generations," he said when launching the MRP at Dataran Orang Kaya Haji here today. Al-Sultan Abdullah said that during the initial discussions to set up the council, it was viewed as a challenging proposal due to the risks involved in outdoor activities such as hiking and other adventurous pursuits. "However, based on what I have been informed and even seen on TikTok, the team led by YB ( Fadzli Mohamad Kamal), displayed great determination and strength by successfully conquering Gunung Tahan recently," he said. The Sultan said he has been following the progress of recreational activity enthusiasts in MRP, who have been active for more than a decade. "Now is the time to share all the knowledge and experience gathered over the years, while also improving recreational facilities and sports tourism products across Pahang," he said. Present at the event were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Fadzli. Last week, Fadzli was among two assemblymen who made history by conquering Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia, along with 53 other participants. Source : NST

JERANTUT: Tour guides in Taman Negara are urging authorities to partially reopen the canopy walkway, one of the park's most popular attractions, ahead of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. Taman Negara Nature Guide Association chairman Mohamad Anas Zainudin said the canopy walkway, described as one of the longest in the world, has long been a major draw for both local and international visitors.

"Unfortunately, both the Bukit Teresek (530m-long) and newly built Seberang Ara (700m-long) canopy walkways are currently closed after being damaged by fallen trees. "However, the authorities should consider reopening at least part of the newly built Seberang Ara canopy walkway next year. "The Bukit Teresek canopy walkway was also damaged a few years ago, but about 300m was later reopened to the public until it was fully closed in September last year. If not the entire stretch, at least allow visitors access to some sections," he said when contacted today.

Anas said that during a familiarisation tour organised by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) in June, national park guides were permitted limited access along the Seberang Ara suspension bridge.  "Tour operators have already included the canopy walkway in their Visit Malaysia 2026 packages, and we are receiving many enquiries about its availability. "We are concerned about a potential decline in visitors to the park next year. "Apart from exploring the jungle and taking boat rides along Sungai Tembeling, the suspension bridges(canopy walkways) are considered a must-do activity," he said.

Meanwhile, Anas said that repair works on the canopy walkways could take a long time as they have yet to begin, with the monsoon season fast approaching. "We are just months away from Visit Malaysia year, yet it is still unclear if the facility will reopen in time. Tour guides are praying for a miracle," he said. It is understood that Perhilitan has instructed tour operators to remove the canopy walkway package from brochures and online promotions, as no reopening date has been confirmed.

The New Straits Times has reached out to Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man for comment. Appointed assemblyman Haris Salleh Hamzah, who met Perhilitan officials on Sept 30, said the authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage to the Seberang Ara canopy walkway, which could involve significant repair costs. On Sept 26, Taman Negara tour guides said they had been left in the dark about when the canopy walkways would reopen. Perhilitan later confirmed that the structure was damaged by a fallen tree.

Source: NST

KUANTAN: The state government, for the first time, will host tourism roadshows at two major cities in India this week to attract more travellers from the country to the east coast state. The roadshows, which would showcase Pahang's rich cultural heritage, pristine rainforests and diverse attractions, will be held in New Delhi tomorrow and in Chennai on Sept 26. State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the programmes would focus on business-to-business networking involving India-based travel agents, tourism operators, airlines and media partners.

"The roadshows aim to strengthen strategic cooperation between the tourism industries of Pahang and India, creating opportunities for the arrival of more visitors through well-structured holiday packages. "We want to position Pahang as a must-visit destination for Indian travellers in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, while reinforcing the state's image as 'The Heart of Malaysia'," she said in a statement today. Leong said the initiative went beyond promoting tourism, as it would also help build connectivity, strengthen cooperation and share Pahang's unique stories with the people of India.  She said that the programme would also highlight the state as a preferred destination for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice), weddings and honeymoons, sporting events and niche tourism tailored to specific interests.

Iconic tourist attractions to be showcased included Fraser's Hill, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands as highland retreats; Cherating and Pulau Tioman as exotic beach destinations; Taman Negara National Park, one of the world's oldest rainforests; and the newly introduced rail tourism.

Source - NST

KUANTAN: The Pahang state government continues to strengthen its tourism sector through Tourism Pahang’s upcoming 2025 promotion roadshow in India. This roadshow will take place in two major Indian cities, with New Delhi scheduled for September 24 and Chennai for September 26.

The event will focus on Business-to-Business networking involving travel agents, tour operators and airlines from both countries. Tourism Pahang stated that the main objective is to strengthen strategic cooperation between tourism industry players in Pahang and India. The roadshow aims to create opportunities for more attractive and well-packaged holiday offerings for Indian tourists. Among the iconic tourism products to be showcased are highland getaways in Fraser’s Hill, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands. The promotion will also feature exotic beaches such as Cherating and Tioman Island, along with the unique 130 million-year-old Taman Negara.

Pahang aims to position itself as the preferred destination for Indian tourists in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.This initiative reinforces the state’s status as ‘The Heart of Malaysia’ within the international tourism market. – Bernama