Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon Elevates Sabah’s Ecotourism And Boosts Local Economy In Malaysia

Published on October 23, 2025

An important milestone for Sabah’s tourism assemblage was reached connected October 19, 2025, erstwhile nan 32nd version of nan Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon took place. Over 1,000 spectators and participants attended nan event, which drew apical athletes, sports fans, and proponents of ecotourism from 27 different countries. This distinguished juncture established Sabah arsenic a awesome centre for ecotourism and sports tourism by showcasing nan area’s imaginable for outdoor escapade arsenic good arsenic its nickname arsenic a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Mount Kinabalu: A UNESCO Global Geopark

Mount Kinabalu, a majestic highest that rises 4,095 metres supra oversea level, is 1 of Southeast Asia’s astir renowned mountains. Designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, nan upland offers an unparalleled opportunity for escapade visitors to research its rich | biodiversity, melodramatic landscapes, and taste significance. The Climbathon, which began astatine 6:30 americium connected October 19, featured a challenging people that attracted immoderate of nan world’s apical upland athletes, further cementing nan mountain’s estimation for escapade tourism.

The Economic Impact connected Kundasang

Local communities successful Kundasang, a municipality situated astatine nan ft of Mount Kinabalu, person reaped important economical benefits from nan event. The influx of world participants, supporters, and media has stimulated request for section services, including accommodation, food, transportation, and tourism-related activities. Local businesses, from mini hotels and homestays to restaurants and circuit operators, saw a surge successful request during nan two-day event. The event’s occurrence has reaffirmed nan important domiciled that sports tourism tin play successful nan region’s economical development.

Kundasang, often referred to arsenic nan “vegetable basket” of Sabah, has agelong been a celebrated destination for travellers seeking to acquisition nan earthy beauty and civilization of nan region. Events for illustration nan Climbathon pull visitors who lend to nan section system by staying successful accommodations, purchasing section products, and supporting section businesses. This move supports nan livelihood of galore residents and creates employment opportunities, contributing to nan wide maturation of Sabah’s tourism sector.

A Global Stage for Sabah’s Adventure Tourism

The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon is much than conscionable a race; it is simply a level for showcasing Sabah arsenic a premier destination for escapade and ecotourism. The event, which was organised by nan Sabah Tourism Board done its subsidiary Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd., brought together athletes from astir nan world, offering them nan opportunity to compete successful 1 of nan astir challenging environments successful Southeast Asia. The Timpohon Run, a broadside arena held connected October 18, besides attracted 300 participants and provided a much accessible yet thrilling situation for moving enthusiasts.

International events for illustration nan Climbathon play a important domiciled successful raising world consciousness of Sabah’s unsocial attractions. The arena serves arsenic a powerful trading tool, attracting visitors and investors alike who spot nan region’s earthy beauty and sporting imaginable arsenic valuable assets. These events not only item Sabah’s tourism offerings but besides lend to its visibility connected nan world stage, driving semipermanent finance and fostering sustainable tourism growth.

Community Involvement and Long-Term Benefits

The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon besides focuses connected organization involvement, pinch section residents actively participating successful nan event’s organisation and operations. Volunteers, section businesses, and authorities bodies worked together to guarantee nan soft execution of nan event. This collaborative attack fosters a consciousness of pridefulness and ownership wrong nan community, reinforcing nan value of corporate efforts successful promoting section tourism.

Furthermore, nan Climbathon’s occurrence reinforces nan affirmative effect of ecotourism and escapade sports connected nan region’s semipermanent economical sustainability. By attracting visitors who worth quality and sustainability, nan arena helps to thrust conservation efforts and supports section biology initiatives. This is successful statement pinch nan broader goals of nan Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, which intends to position Malaysia arsenic a apical ecotourism destination.

The Future of Mount Kinabalu’s International Climbathon

Looking ahead, nan adjacent Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon is scheduled for October 18, 2026, further solidifying Sabah’s spot arsenic a cardinal destination for eco- and sports tourism. This arena will proceed to build connected nan successes of erstwhile years and heighten nan region’s estimation arsenic a world-class escapade tourism destination.

The Sabah Tourism Board, successful collaboration pinch nan Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, has pledged to proceed its efforts successful promoting sustainable tourism practices while expanding nan scope of activities disposable for world tourists. The event’s bequest is simply a testament to nan imaginable for tourism to enactment arsenic a catalyst for section economical development, arsenic good arsenic an opportunity to item Sabah’s committedness to preserving its earthy practice for early generations.

Conclusion

In summation to becoming a item of Sabah’s yearly tourism schedule, nan Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon is now a awesome root of income for nan Kundasang area. The occurrence of nan arena highlights really sports and ecotourism tin fortify section economies and found Sabah arsenic a world leader successful escapade travel. The Climbathon will surely thief Sabah’s tourism assemblage turn and stay sustainable complete nan agelong tally pinch nan ongoing support of section residents, governmental organisations, and overseas visitors.