UNESCO Status Drives Surge In Visitors To Malaysia’s FRIM Forest Park
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The number of visitors to FRIM Forest Park Selangor, including international tourists, has risen sharply since the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 11 last year, according to FRIM Director-General Dr Ismail Parlan.
He said the park welcomed 270,849 visitors in 2025, a significant increase from the annual average of between 100,000 and 159,000 recorded in previous years.
"There has been a remarkable increase in international visitors from Europe, the United States and Asia, particularly from China," he said during an appearance on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme.
To preserve the ecological integrity of the heritage site while ensuring a quality visitor experience, Ismail said FRIM limits access to its core heritage area to 400 visitors per day through a pre-booking and guided tour system.
“We do not want visitors to experience overcrowding that diminishes their enjoyment of the forest. Our goal is to provide the best possible ecotourism experience for every visitor," he said.
Marking the first anniversary of its UNESCO inscription this year, Ismail said the recognition reflects FRIM's century-long commitment to conserving what is regarded as the world's oldest and largest man-made tropical rainforest, established through the rehabilitation of a former tin mining area beginning in 1926.
He said FRIM has grown into a world-class forestry research institution while offering a range of ecotourism attractions, including the unique “crown shyness” phenomenon, a forest skywalk, jungle trails, a research gallery, traditional Malay houses, and nature-based recreational activities led by certified nature guides.
"We have about 70 licensed nature guides, and visitor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the quality of interpretation and the overall experience," he said.
Ismail added that FRIM is playing a key role in supporting the national tourism agenda for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 by offering a distinctive nature-based destination close to the capital.
To safeguard the forest, which serves as a conservation site for endangered plant species, he said all visitors are required to book in advance, be accompanied by a licensed nature guide, and adhere to environmental conservation practices.
"Waste must be disposed of responsibly, and we must reduce the use of single-use plastics because, ultimately, they have an impact on both the environment and human well-being," he said.
FRIM Forest Park Selangor made history on July 11 last year when it became the state of Selangor's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and Malaysia's sixth.
The inscription was approved during the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris after a rigorous nomination and evaluation process that began in 2017.
"Achieving this recognition was by no means easy. It involved years of preparation, numerous challenges, and a demanding evaluation process before we attained international recognition. It is truly a proud achievement for the country," he said.
-- BERNAMA
