ADVENTURE TOURISM IN SELANGOR: EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY! By Nurul Azlyna (CIFP,Bach. Of Acc (Hons), CMI) LET’S HIT THE ROAD Millions of people travel across the world every year and thus, making the tourism industry as a key role in the global economy. According to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the industry accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and 319 million jobs, or 10% of total employment in 2018. Travellers travel with different purposes where some people travel for leisure or business while some travel due to specific interest such as medical or religion. Given the different purposes, tourism industry has been classified into various types to cater to the needs and preferences of all types of tourists. The following are the categories of tourism1: a. Leisure Under this purpose, travellers simply want to enjoy new experience of a destination and devoting their holiday to rest and relaxation. These tourists prefer to stay in some quiet and relaxed destination preferably at a hill resort, beach resort or island resort. b. Business The travellers’ main motive for travel is for work purpose such as attending a business meeting, conferences, conventions selling products, meeting clients. Business tourism is popularly known as MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism. c. Special Interest Interestingly, some people travel for special reasons such as religions, medical, education, hobbies and cultural. Under medical tourism for example, travellers go to places such as recommended specialist centre seeking for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the adventurous groups usually travel to spots that are popular for adventure activities such as bungee jumping or whale- 1 National Institute of Open Schooling watch. Going to undiscovered or non-commercialized destinations for more exquisite, thrilling and adrenaline-rush experiences is another choice to consider. This paper however focuses on adventure tourism, specifically in Selangor, Malaysia. It presents vacation spots in the states with various activities under the adventure tourism category. The objective of the paper is also to identify potential of activities that the state government and private entities may yet to discover. Based on the ‘Malaysia Tourist Profile 2018’ by Tourism Malaysia, majority of tourists visited Malaysia for holiday purpose. The profiling however does not present the purpose of visit for each state. Source: Tourism Malaysia ADVENTURE TOURISM IN SELANGOR: WHY NOT? ABOUT ADVENTURE TOURISM According to World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), ‘adventure travel has become a cornerstone of the tourism experience’ as travellers are increasingly seeking authentic, rare and incomparable experiences. The global value of adventure tourism stood massively at USD 89 billion in 2010 as per study conducted by Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), The George Washington University (GWU) and Xola Consulting. The study was repeated in 2013 and found that 42% of travellers departed on adventure trips, making the sector worth USD 263 billion—an increase of 195% in two years. Thus, it is unanimously important to understand the definition of adventure tourism and to identify relevant activities under the spectrum to allow the relevant stakeholders to explore, tap and promote the available opportunities. ATTA defines adventure tourism as a trip that includes least two of the following three elements: physical activity, natural environment and cultural immersion. Further, there are two main categories of adventure activities; hard adventure or soft adventure. ATTA has listed out adventure activities and its classification as follows: TYPES ACTIVITY SOFT HARD OTHERS 1.Archaeological Expedition X 2.Attending Local Festival/Fairs X 3.Backpacking X 4.Bird Watching X 5.Camping X 6.Canoeing X 7.Caving X 8.Climbing (Mountain/Rock/Ice) X 9.Cruise X 10.Cultural Activities X 11.Eco-Tourism X 12.Educational Programs X 13.Environmentally Sustainable X Activities 14.Fishing/ Fly-Fishing X 15.Getting To Know The Locals X 16.Hiking X 17.Horseback Riding X 18.Hunting X 19.Kayaking/Sea/White-Water X 19.Learning A New Language X 20.Orienteering X 21.Rafting X 22.Research Expeditions X 23.Safaris X 24.Sailing X 25.Scuba Diving X 26.Snorkeling X 27.Skiing/Snowboarding X 28.Surfing X 29.Trekking X 30.Walking Tours X 31.Visiting Friends/ Family X 32.Visiting Historical Sites X 33.Volunteering Tourism X Source: ATTA (2013) Source: Shukhrat Ismoiljonov SELANGOR: EXPLORING ADVENTURE TOURISM IN THE STATE Selangor is among the favourite destination among tourists, be it local or international thanks to its abundance attractions and offerings. It is a vibrant state and exotic blend of culture, economic advancement and natural wonders, making it as top tourist destinations in the country. Unsurprisingly, Selangor is ranked as number one as the most visited state together with Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as shown in Malaysia Tourist Profile 2018. Selangor was the most visited state by domestic visitors in 2018 which accounted for 30.2 million visitors, followed by Sabah (20.4 million), Sarawak (19.4 million) and Kuala Lumpur (19.2 million). Source: Tourism Malaysia Source: Tourism Malaysia WHAT TO DO IN SELANGOR Either you are into soft adventure or hard, Selangor promises exciting time for travellers with plenty attractive destinations. The state has nine distinctive regions, each with its own unique appeal. Petaling is the most central and urban while Gombak, Klang and Sepang are easily within reach with the mix of development and nature attractions. Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor are the charming districts in the up north, whereas further south lie the nature hotspots of Kuala Langat and Hulu Langat. Source: PDT Kuala Selangor Here is the compilation list of famous destinations in Selangor, divided into type of activities that are closely per ATTA’s definition. Most of the activities can be enjoyed by all ages and genders. A.Indoor / Outdoor Activities ACTIVITIES DESTINATION LOCATION 1. Bird Watching Kuala Selangor Nature Park Kuala Selangor Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil Bagan Nakhoda Omar Sabak Bernam Recreational Centre 2. Camping Forest Research Institute Malaysia Kepong (FRIM) Gunung Nuang Hulu Langat Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua Gombak Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang Serdang (MAEPS) Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam Shah Alam Taman Eko-Rimba Kanching Rawang Commonwealth Forest Park Rawang Sungai Tekala Hulu Langat Sungai Congkak Hulu Langat Sungai Sendat Batang Kali Sungai Pertak Recreational Forest Hulu Selangor 3. Caving Dark Cave Gombak 4. Cycling Forest Research Institute Malaysia Kepong (FRIM) Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang Serdang (MAEPS) Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam Shah Alam 5. Eco-Tourism Fireflies (Kampung Kuantan) Kuala Selangor Fireflies (Sungai Pakeh) Sabak Bernam Kuala Selangor Nature Park Kuala Selangor Pulau Indah Klang Pulau Ketam Klang Sky Mirror Kuala Selangor Blue Tears Kuala Selangor Sky Trex Adventure Hulu Langat 6. Fishing Freshwater Fish Park Kuala Kuala Selangor Selangor Pantai Remis Kuala Selangor Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil Pulau Angsa Kuala Selangor Sungai Sepang Besar Sepang Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam Shah Alam Taman Tasik Shah Alam Shah Alam 7. Hiking Bukit Melawati Kuala Selangor Bukit Saga Kuala Langat Bukit Jugra Kuala Langat Chiling Waterfalls and Mahseer Fish Kuala Kubu Bharu Sanctuary Forest Research Institute Malaysia Kepong (FRIM) Gunung Nuang Kuala Langat Gunung Kutu Kuala Kubu Bharu Kuala Selangor Nature Park Kuala Selangor Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil Sungai Gabai Waterfalls Hulu Langat Sungai Lepoh Waterfalls Hulu Langat Taman Rimba Ampang Ampang 8. Paragliding Bukit Jugra Kuala Langat Bukit Batu Pahat Kuala Kubu Baru 9. Rock-Climbing Gua Damai XPark Gombak 10. Trekking Gunung Nuang Kuala Langat Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil Sungai Congkak Hulu Langat 11. Water – Rafting Sungai Selangor Kuala Kubu Bharu 12. White Water Chiling Waterfalls Kuala Kubu Bharu (Tubing) 13. Others Air Rider Petaling Jaya Most Fun Gym (MFG) Kampung Sg. Penchala District 21 Putrajaya Sunway Extreme Park Petaling Jaya B.Culture & Heritage ACTIVITIES DESTINATION LOCATION 1. Cultural Village Mah Meri Cultural Village Kuala Langat Sekinchan Paddy Field Sabak Bernam 2. Guided Tours Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk Klang 3. Historical Sites Bukit Melawati Kuala Selangor Istana Bandar Jugra Kuala Langat Hang Tuah’s Footprint - Batu Kuala Langat Hampar Mahkota Puri Palace Klang Raja Mahadi Fort Klang 4. Local Fairs Batu Caves Gombak 5. Education National Botanical Garden Shah Shah Alam Alam Sungai Karang Forest Reserve Sabak Bernam Hornbill Observatory Centre Source: Visit Selangor, Tourism Selangor, FB Tourism Selangor THE TOP 3 DESTINATIONS: WHERE ADVENTURE AND EXCITEMENT MEET For this segment, the author has gathered the top 3 most popular adventure destinations in Selangor from various travelling sites such as Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet, Kuala-Lumpur.ws, The Star, Malaysia-Traveller, Facebook stories, Gaya Travel Magazine, Thrillophilia, Inspirerock, Libur and Rileklah. Divided into three categories, these spots are chosen for its uniqueness that are not available in other states and authentic experience it offers to the travellers. Nature-Based 1. Sky Mirror Known as Malaysia’s own Salar de Uyuni, Sky Mirror is a seabed that appears above water at low tide, exposing an expansive sand flat as huge as hundred football fields for 3-4 hours in the morning, producing a mirror-like reflection of the sky. This offers