New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post
New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/06/04/annual-climbathon-re-branded-sports-tourism-event/
Annual climbathon should be re-branded as sports-tourism event
Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry is considering re-branding the annual mountain climbing race into a sports-tourism event.
Its minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun in disclosing this said for over two decades, the annual Climbathon event is considered by both domestic and foreign participants as just another sporting activity.
“They (participants) come, climb the mountain and go home. None of these people actually brought their family members to enjoy Kundasang (where the event is held), or return to spend their holidays in Sabah.
“So I believe it is time to do some adjustments to the event, because at the end of the day, it is all about dollars and cents.
“We want them to take part in the event and be able to enjoy some activities with their family after the endurance sports,” he explained.
The sport, which will be entering its 28th year this year, has been attracting endurance sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Last year, its prize cash money totalled US$33,400 (about RM108,024).
Masidi said for the past few of years, Kundasang has been hosting the Pesta Kobis (Cabbage Festival), as the area is the main producer of the vegetable, to coincide with the climbathon event.
“So this way, they can join in the race and enjoy themselves at the many cultural activities at the Pesta Kobis.
“We are not going to stop climbathon, but rather doing adjustments to promote it as a sport tourism package,” he said, clearing the air amid rumours that the nearly three decade endurance sport is coming to an end this year.
Masidi told reporters this after a luncheon with the Kinabalu Park following their success in winning the Brandlaureate Country Branding Award 2013-2014 during the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation event in Kuala Lumpur, recently.
The award was presented to Kinabalu Park for its status as a heritage site that is rich with diverse biota and high endemism.
“While some attempt to climb Mount Kinabalu, others may enjoy their stay at the grounds and follow the hiking trails, where they can view the rich flora and fauna of the Park,” said Masidi.
He noted that Kinabalu Park has the highest number of plant species per unit area in the world, namely 5,500 species in 30 to 40 kilometres.
“It is also home to 866 orchids, 609 ferns, 63 oaks and chestnuts, 14 pitcher plants, 450 mosses and liverworts, 326 birds, 625 butterflies, 90 lowland and 22 montane mammals, 67 snakes, 61 frogs and toads and 40 fishes,” said Masidi.
The Brandlaureate Awards recognise world class achievement in branding amongst individuals and companies, where apart from Kinabalu Park, other recipients for the award were Perbadanan Putrajaya, Captain James Anthony Tan and Crystal Lee.