By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Experts, researchers, academics, policymakers and industry practitioners from around the world have gathered in Ipoh to participate in the 7th Geotourism Festival & International Conference 2026.
For the first time, Perak has been selected to host the prestigious event, which is being held at the Impiana Hotel.
The conference focuses on discussions surrounding geotourism development and geoheritage conservation.
The four-day programme began with professional networking sessions and the Malaysia Geopark Network (MGN) Meeting.
This was followed by a series of academic presentations focusing on geotourism development, geoheritage conservation, sustainable development, Indigenous (Orang Asli) heritage, biodiversity, geotrails and community empowerment.
The keynote address was delivered by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Research Fellow, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Komoo, through a presentation titled Understanding Fundamental: Geotourism or Geological Tourism.
Other speakers included Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Roslan Rosnon, an anthropology and sociology expert from the Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and Professor Dr. Robert Sibarani from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.
Also presenting were Professor Dato’ Dr. Mokhtar Saidin, an archaeology researcher, Dewarman Sitompul, a geological heritage specialist, and Dr. Rapidah Mat Stafa, a conservation geology expert.
Earlier, Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad attended the Official Dinner and Opening Ceremony of the 7th Geotourism Festival & International Conference 2026.
Speaking on the Lenggong UNESCO Global Geopark, Saarani said the area brings together geological landscapes, biodiversity, cultural heritage and the Lenggong Valley Archaeological Heritage, which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.
“Lenggong now brings together world-class archaeological heritage with geology, biodiversity, culture and community life within a region that offers immense value for education, research and tourism.
“Community participation is the foundation of this effort.
“The presence of visitors creates opportunities for homestay operators, food vendors, craft producers, tourism activity operators, tourist guides, micro-entrepreneurs and young people, ensuring that the benefits of geotourism contribute directly to the local economy,” he said.
