BEAUFORT: Pulau Tiga, famously known as "Survivor Island" for the popular Million Dollar Prize Money TV series 'Survivor', marked its 46th anniversary with celebrations that highlighted its unique appeal and vital conservation efforts.
Sabah Parks Board of Trustees chairman Peter Linter said Pulau Tiga is different from other marine parks in Sabah.
Unlike the crowded and bustling islands managed by Sabah Parks, Pulau Tiga offers visitors a distinct and tranquil experience.
"While many islands in Sabah Parks are now crowded and busy with tourism activities, Pulau Tiga offers something different and unique.
"With its long beaches, vast forests, pristine mangroves, and unique mud volcano sites, Pulau Tiga has great potential to become a retreat centre for organisations and corporate companies," he said, adding that other islands like those in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park cater more to mass tourism.
During the celebration, Peter also said the crucial role that coral reefs play in the marine ecosystem and essential for maintaining a vital source of protein.
"I can say here that all the coral reefs protected under the Sabah Parks Enactment 1984, which is enforced in Taman Pulau Tiga, are for the benefit of all of us, including our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren," he said.
He also added that there were recent infrastructure improvements made to the park, including upgrading public toilets, maintaining lodging buildings, building tourist rest huts, constructing a mini auditorium, and building a new control post on Pulau Kalampunian Besar.
Despite recording relatively low tourist attendance in 2023, Pulau Tiga has shown significant growth this year.
"Although Pulau Tiga recorded relatively low tourist attendance of about 2,704 people in 2023, it has shown a significant increase in 2024, with 1,878 tourists as of May 2024, projecting a total of 4,508 tourists throughout this year."
As for the celebration, Peter noted that it coincides with the Diamond Jubilee of Sabah Parks, marking six decades of success in conservation and park management.