At last week’s IMEX Frankfurt, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) partnered with The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) on future ecotourism business events and developments, as well as launched a special edition of the International Journal of Business Events and Legacies (IJBEL) journal.
TIES is the oldest and largest ecotourism society in the world with 15,000 active members from over 190 countries. At the forefront of ecotourism developments, TIES provides guidelines, standards, training, technical assistance, and educational resources.
According to the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, Sarawak aims to become a leading destination for ecotourism and business events in South-east Asia by prioritising responsible and sustainable practices in tourism experiences, and emphasising sustainable infrastructure to balance growth with minimal negative environmental impact.
Meanwhile, the Strategic Advisory Tripartite – of which BESarawak is a collaborator along with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and International Congress & Convention Association – launched Volume 2 Issue 2 of IJBEL, which focuses on sustainability and underscores the dedication to promoting sustainable practices within the business events industry.
IJBEL is the first international publication dedicated to business events and legacies that aims to bridge the gap between academic and non-academic communities. Curtin University Malaysia is the appointed journal manager.
IJBEL Volume 2 Issue 2 takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability, covering social, economic, and environmental aspects, and emphasises the collective role individuals and organisations can play in fostering a sustainable industry. There are nine papers within, such as The Copenhagen Legacy Lab Strategic Approach, and Shaping Destinations with Business Events: Insights into Ecosystem Dynamics.
“Adopting sustainable practices in the industry goes beyond minimising waste, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting responsible consumption. We need to examine whether our current practices promote local partnerships, create opportunities for local talents and diverse communities to contribute to the sustainability goal, and encourage leadership that celebrates diversity and inclusion. This edition is about thinking globally and acting locally for lasting change,” said Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah, minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts Sarawak and patron of IJBEL.
“To make and emphasise the positive impact of what we do, we must pay attention to the finer details and recognise the significance of our actions in shaping outcomes. We hope that everyone can draw inspiration from this special edition and apply it in the future. The IJBEL Strategic Advisory Tripartite is also open to welcome more collaborators.”
“The journal is designed for universal use and contribution, serving as a valuable educational resource for everyone in the business events community, from all corners of the globe, to enhance their event quality,” emphasised Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak.
“The IJBEL is now indexed with an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) (2785-8499) and E-ISSN (2785-8855), meeting prerequisites for researchers and other academicians to cite the journal content.”
