Niche market for orchid centre: Liew
Kota Kinabalu: Orchid enthusiasts are encouraged to open up an orchid centre in Sabah, particularly here, as there is a niche tourism market for it, said Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew.
Liew, who is also Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said her Ministry will render full support and assistance to those interested in establishing such centre.
“So far, there is no commercial orchid centre in Sabah except the Poring Orchid Conservation Centre, which is also a research centre for orchids in Kinabalu Park under the management of Sabah Parks.
“That is why I encourage orchid enthusiasts to open up an orchid centre. My Ministry through our Orchid Conservation Centre will render full support and assistance in terms of providing data and information as the centre has a large collection of original native orchid species from Sabah, not hybrid ones like in other countries,” she said.
Liew said this to reporters after opening the Borneo International Orchid Show (BIOS) 2018, organised by the Borneo Orchid Society Sabah (Boss), at the Kota Kinabalu Community hall, here, Friday.
The weeklong event till Sept 27 showcases iconic native orchids that position Sabah as a preferred orchid destination for eco-tourists.
Also present were Boss President Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin cum Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Chairman, City Hall Deputy D-G (Finance) Kenny Chan, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Mariam Omar Matusin, Sabah Parks Deputy Director Dr Maklarin Lakim and other senior officials.
In fact, Liew said, there is always a niche market for whatever people call it as “flower tourism” or “orchid tourism” in Sabah, which has proven that any orchid show would bring in many tourists, particularly orchid lovers, which will directly boost tourism in the State.
She said this was proven in the Borneo International Orchid Show held here two years ago that bought in some 10,000 visitors, mostly tourists.
“I spoke to Boss and encourage them to expand their network pertaining to orchid shows because it can be a niche market for Sabah as far as tourism is concerned.
“Tourists come here to visit and participate in orchid exhibition or show. For example, for this BIOS 2018 I was made to understand that there are foreign delegates from Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, Singapore and other countries participating.
“We are very pleased with the results and are expecting a big number of visitors,” she said.
She said she expects the next event to be held in 2020 which will be a big international orchid show involving 70 countries, in conjunction with the Matta Fair, here.
During the event, Liew also presented prizes for the Best Plant of the Show to Gomez Sim from Sabah for his Phalaenopsis hybrid orchid, Best Malaysia Species to Sabah Parks for its native orchid Paphiopedilum Lowii and Best Hybrid Show to Alice Ong for her Cymbidium Orchid.
She also presented prizes to winners of World Landscape Competition that went to Sabah Parks, followed by The Royal Horticultural Society of Thailand and Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Tengku Adlin said in his speech that Boss organised the BIOS 2018 together with the Ministry, Sabah Tourism Board and City Hall in pursuance of the society’s mission to promote as well as conserve Sabah’s spectacular native orchids, many of which are the aristocrats of the orchid world.
He said Sabah is indeed a “must see” for orchidologists and orchid enthusiasts worldwide, orchid industry players, orchid growers as well as the public due to great natural wealth of orchids here.
He said the show will provide knowledge and understanding to appreciate the beauty of orchids that resonates the majesty of nature and the reason for the need to conserve the State’s natural heritage. – Hayati Dzulkifli
Source: Daily Express
