Promoting tourism through photo contest

Tawau: Photographs are one of the best methods to enhance public awareness on environmental conservation, said Green Tawau Action Committee (GTAC) spokesperson Dr Wong Jia Lih.

“One of the contributors for the State’s economy is tourism, but if we fail to protect the environment, it will affect the sector,” he said during the closing of a photography competition.

The competition themed “Sabah’s Natural Beauty”, participated by 32 photographers from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau, was organised by the Tawau Photographic Society (TPS) and GTAC.

The competition, Wong said, would help create a sense of appreciation among the public on the environment, including foreign tourists.

“The availability of cheap airfares and tourist-friendly infrastructures will enable Sabah to continue witnessing an influx of tourists who are attracted to our flora and fauna.”

On GTAC, he said, the body promotes efforts to make a greener Tawau through tree-planting programmes with the cooperation of non-governmental agencies and schools.

“The body led by Larry Koh @ Rahim Abdullah has managed to plant more than 6,000 trees since 2012 along Jalan Apas,” he said.

Meanwhile, TPS Chairman Ho Lee Ngiew commended GTAC’s huge contribution through the competition, especially in introducing Sabah to the world through photographs.

“This is in line with the efforts of promoting Sabah tourism through interesting photographs of our flora and fauna,” he said.

Source : Daily Express