01/08/2025

FRIDAY | AUG 1, 2025

21

LYFE

Cave wonders

L IPIS Geopark in Lipis district, Pahang, which was accorded National Geopark status in January 2024, has the potential to be promoted as a unique tourism destination, especially in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026). The geopark was the first stop for participants of the recent Geopark Odyssey: Heritage & Archaeo Tourism programme, organised by Tourism Malaysia Eastern Region. Its director Mohd Azizul Arif Yahaya said the choice of Lipis Geopark as the first location for the programme aligned with the recognition of the Lipis district as Malaysia’s 11th National Geopark. “This programme aims to raise awareness of the unique geology, culture and biodiversity of Lipis Geopark, while highlighting its potential as a fascinating heritage o Geopark odyssey highlights tourism potential of Lipis

The three-day event is joined by media reps, influencers and travel agencies.

Sungai Relau. Mohd Azizul Arif said the agency aims to develop 12 special tourism packages through this initiative, focusing on immersive, on-site heritage experiences. “This experiential tourism approach is in line with Unesco’s recommendation to extend tourists’ length of stay, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of heritage-based tourism products,” he said. He added that the programme also emphasised sustainable tourism and community involvement through the Community-Based Tourism (CBT) model, in support of efforts to strengthen heritage values and improve local socioeconomic well-being. “CBT not only stimulates the local economy but also helps preserve culture, heritage and the environment, ultimately reducing the development gap between urban and rural tourism,” he said. The second edition of Geopark Odyssey is expected to be held at Kenyir Geopark, Terengganu, in September, continuing the geopark tourism promotion campaign in preparation for VMY2026. Meanwhile, Pahang State Park Corporation operations officer Bunyamin Abdul Manap, who also participated in the programme, said Lipis Geopark sits along the major tectonic boundary between the Sibumasu Block and the East Malaya

Azizul.

tourism destination for visitors who love heritage and have an interest in this niche segment,” he said. The three-day event, which began on July 18, gathered media representatives, influencers and travel agencies to explore key heritage sites in the Lipis district, including Gua Sisik Naga, Gua Bama, Lipis Town, Merapoh Railway Station and Taman Negara Pahang

Lipis Geopark has been awarded National Geopark status. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

(Kuala Lipis), early Orang Asli settlements, and remnants of colonial and local archaeological heritage,” he said. Bunyamin said Lipis Geopark is being considered for nomination as a Unesco Global Geopark, with the potential to become the first “delegate” from Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast in the global geopark network. – Bernama

Block, traversing the Bentong-Raub Suture, an ancient crustal boundary that once separated the Gondwana and Indochina continents. “This area holds evidence of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction event around 252 million years ago, making it a significant site for paleoecological and earth history studies. Lipis also includes historical areas such as the former state capital

The caves in Lipis has potential as a unique tourism spot.

Younger Malaysians prefer solo travelling MOST Malaysians intend to take a solo trip and 61% of respondents in the country have already gone on a solo trip, as they see solo travel as an opportunity for self-discovery and well-being. A survey, commissioner by Scoot – the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, examined traveller demographics, travel self-directed explorer. Mainstream travel choice From large groups to smaller ones with family and friends, the way people travel has evolved throughout the years. Once seen as a niche pursuit, solo travel among Malaysians has increasingly become a common lifestyle choice, particularly for younger travellers. Millennials are at the forefront of this shift, making up 38% and the largest cohort of current and aspiring solo travellers. In Malaysia, 86% of respondents would recommend solo travel to others. This growing trend is closely tied to broader lifestyle shifts – from increased demands at work and home to a rising emphasis on personal well-being.

Aside from flight bookings, the main priorities for more than half of these travellers include budget management.

motivations and considerations, planning behaviours as well as cultural attitudes. Conducted with over 5,000 respondents across five countries within the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region, its white paper offers a window into the mindset of today’s

Six in 10 (60%) of the respondents from Malaysia took multiple solo trips in the past year, and almost one-third among these travellers (27%) embarked on three or more solo trips in the past year.

About 56% of solo travellers from Malaysia cited freedom and flexibility to plan their own itineraries as primary motivation. Meanwhile 53% view solo travel as an opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves. Notably, 49% of the respondents value the independence of exploring new places at their own pace. Across Apac, most respondents from Malaysia cited solo travel as a catalyst for pursuing activities or hobbies. This inclination reflects a growing desire among Malaysian travellers to use travel as a means to reconnect with their individual interests away from routine or group expectations. Intentional travel Results revealed solo travellers are highly intentional in their approach. An overwhelming majority (95%) shared they engage in some form of planning for their trips. Aside from

country, and 71% open to domestic and international travel. This is driven by convenience, affordability and interest in exploring cultural and natural attractions within the country. Thailand (25%), Japan (23%), and Indonesia (22%) are the top three international travel destinations in the year ahead. These choices indicate a desire for vibrant cultures, nature and seaside escapes, reflective of the most popular types of solo trips: cultural and historical experiences (46%), city breaks (43%), beach getaways (42%) and nature holidays (41%). All in all, Malaysians continue to prioritise affordable air travel options, with 70% opting for economy class and 28% choosing low-cost carriers. This underscores the importance of value as a key driver for those navigating the world on their own.

flight bookings, the main priorities for more than half of these travellers include budget management (56%), accommodation (52%) and safety considerations (51%). They rely heavily on online travel agencies, hotel websites and online review platforms to help them make informed decisions about their flight and accommodation bookings. For food and activity recommendations, they rely on social media. International travel wishlist The survey also revealed a strong preference for Apac destinations among respondents from Malaysia, with nine in 10 planning trips within the region in the next 12 months. Malaysia ranks as the top travel location, with 36% wishing to travel locally. This indicates the appreciation for domestic travel, with 21% preferring to travel solely within the

Solo travel among Malaysians has increasingly become a common lifestyle choice. – PEXELSPIC