By WU VUIDE
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KOTA KINABALU: Butterfly tourism will be promoted as one of the niche products for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
A special eco-tour package was introduced to highlight butterflies, including the Kinabalu Birdwing, locally known as Kalibambang Emas, which means a large and brightly coloured butterfly.
The Kinabalu Birdwing was officially declared the state butterfly on Sept 13, 2023, as a new tourism icon to enhance the conservation and promotion of Sabah’s rich biodiversity.
To woo more butterfly watchers to the state, a three-day, two-night Sabah nature retreat package was launched in conjunction with the third anniversary of Monocolo Boutique Hotel, themed “Winds and Wonders.”
The package was jointly unveiled by Monocolo Executive Director Erica Lim and Tourism Malaysia Sabah Deputy Director Khairul Amir Anuar.
“This package was curated to allow butterfly watchers to reconnect with nature and enjoy an immersive experience at Kinabalu National Park,” said Erica.
The launch also marked the second anniversary of the state butterfly, made possible through the initiative of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu, she added.
A specially designed anniversary postcard was also created to showcase Sabah’s remarkable biodiversity and commitment to conservation.
“Through our nature retreat launch, we aim to champion eco-tourism, support local communities, and echo Tourism Malaysia’s vision for Visit Malaysia 2026.
“At Monocolo, we are committed to offering more than just a place to stay, it is also a platform to celebrate Sabah’s rich culture, breathtaking beauty, and hidden gems,” said Erica.
Kinabalu National Geopark has now been declared a UNESCO Global Geopark, making Malaysia the third country in the world to achieve the prestigious UNESCO Triple Crown status.
Alongside Jeju Island in South Korea and Shennongjia in China, these are the only three places in the world to receive all three UNESCO honours.
“Today is not only a celebration of how far we have come, but also the beginning of new collaborations and opportunities.
“We look forward to working closely with Tourism Malaysia and the Sabah Tourism Board to unveil more of Sabah’s wonders to the world,” she said.
