KUCHING: Walai Penyu Conservation Park founder and managing director Alexander Yee was "overwhelmed" with good news and positive development on Saturday night.
As he was approaching the stage at Borneo Convention Centre (BCCK) here to collect a national award for his unique conservation efforts during a ceremony that was held at the Borneo Convention Centre (BCCK) here, Yee received a good news about the conservation programme in Libaran Island, Sandakan.
He was told that a sea turtle had laid 93 eggs in the location of the programme. It was the first turtle landing recorded on Libaran island in Sandakan, Sabah in three months, according to input gathered at the conservation park.
Yee received the award at the 6th Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) Gold Awards 2022 ceremony at the BCCK. The ceremony was held to recognise industry players who have shown resilience in facing the challenges of the pandemic for the past two years.
Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Art Datuk Sebastian Ting represented the Sarawak Premier.
The event was also attended by caretaker Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Yee also won the family attraction gold award for the Rumah Terbalik (upside-down house) in Tamparuli.
"Obviously, the recognition pleased me especially Walai Penyu Conservation Park which has won a state award as best tourism product three years ago, followed by the regional Asean sustainable tourism standard, so the latest one is a national level (recognition)," he said.
However, since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the park has been closed.
"In fact, it is still closed until today and we will open to visitors on November next month. For Rumah Terbalik, we have been operating over the last 10 years, this is the first time, we had been accorded with a recognition," said Yee.
He said Rumah Terbalik was fortunate because it dependent a lot of domestic travellers and it was only closed during the movement control order.
Walai Penyu will soon be moving to a new location with new facilities and more participation from local villagers, he said.
Sabah tourism operators won six gold awards from out of 108 been given out.
The other gold winners are Shun Shun Water Bungalows Resort for island resort experience; Mataking Reef Resort (private built-in luxury island resort); Amazing Borneo Tours and Events Sdn Bhd; and Sipadan Mabul Resort (island family resort).
Also present was Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman.