As a part of the UA in Asia program, we had the incredible opportunity to explore and understand the vital role that tourism plays in supporting Malaysia’s economy. Our program included a visit to Redang Island, which is located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. On this island we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking natural landscape of Southeast Asia. The islands beautiful beaches, blue waters, and extensive marine life created an unforgettable experience. During our visit, we had the opportunity to engage with the beautiful marine environment, which included coral reefs, fish, and sea turtles. Throughout our snorkeling experience, we traveled to 3 different locations around the island, which each offered a different perspective on Redang Island’s aquatic environment. Through these excursions we were able to observe the island’s coral reefs up close, and even swim close by to 6 sea turtles! This experience allowed us to learn more about the natural landscape of Malaysia along with the importance of tourism for the island’s economy. As I previously stated, the majority of the island’s economy is supported by tourism. Activities such as snorkeling, local trading markets, and resorts act as the main sources of income for many of the island’s local residents. Through interacting with tour guides, we were able to gain insight into how tourism helps to create jobs on the island and maintain the local economy. Our visit to Redang Island was an incredible experience that allowed us to learn how certain areas of the world have a strong connection between the environment and the economy.
