Ecotourism Development in the Darau Wetlands, Sabah: Key Success Factors

Abstract

The Darau Wetlands in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, serve as a critical nexus for community-based ecotourism (CBET), integrating high-value biodiversity with indigenous cultural heritage. This research evaluates the site’s operational efficacy and community engagement through the lens of Pengiran Bagul’s (1999) Ecotourism Success Factor Framework, assessing environmental, social, economic, and governance dimensions. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the study utilized semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, focus group discussions (FGDs), and longitudinal field observations. The findings indicate that the success of ecotourism in Kampung Darau is anchored in a multi-stakeholder ecosystem characterized by robust community cohesion, strategic institutional partnerships, and proactive environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the results highlight that local leadership and livelihood diversification are pivotal in translating conservation efforts into socio-economic resilience. By emphasizing the synergy between grassroots agency and external institutional support, this study argues for a collaborative governance model as the baseline for sustainable growth. Ultimately, the Darau Wetlands model provides a scalable and replicable framework for community-managed wetland ecotourism across the BIMP-EAGA region and tropical wetland corridors.