Festival Hijau Bukit Fraser 2026: Advancing Sustainable Tourism Through Local Government, Industry & Communities Engagement
The School of Hospitality, Tourism & Events (SHTE) at Taylor’s University, through the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab (STIL), successfully concluded Festival Hijau Bukit Fraser 2026, held from 3–4 July 2026 at Fraser’s Hill, Pahang. More than just a festival, the initiative demonstrated the impact of collaboration between academia, industry, government, and local communities in advancing sustainable tourism. The two-day festival brought together Tourism Pahang, Majlis Daerah Raub, Trinidad Hospitality Sdn. Bhd., Wyndham Garden Shahzan Fraser’s Hill, the Kuala Lumpur Tourist Guides Association (KLTGA), local communities, academics, students, and visitors in a shared effort to strengthen Fraser’s Hill as a sustainable tourism destination.
The programme featured community empowerment workshops, including the Food Safety and Sustainable Food Handling Workshop conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salini Devi Rajendran from Taylor’s Culinary Institute and the Sustainable Tourism Destination and Identity Workshop led by Dr. Nagathisen Katahenggam from the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab. These sessions equipped local entrepreneurs and community members with practical knowledge in food safety, destination branding, and sustainable tourism practices. A key highlight of the festival was the involvement of students from the Bachelor of International Events Management (BIEM), where experiential learning was brought to life through real-world event execution.
As part of the Live Event Project and Event Operation modules, students planned and delivered the Eco Charity Run and Eco Treasure Hunt, applying sustainable event practices while developing skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, teamwork, and leadership. Through these initiatives, students gained valuable experience managing events alongside industry and government partners while deepening their understanding of sustainability, community engagement, and responsible tourism practices. The collaboration between student teams also highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of event management and the importance of teamwork in delivering impactful experiences.
The School extends its appreciation to Tourism Pahang, Majlis Daerah Raub, Trinidad Hospitality Sdn. Bhd., Wyndham Garden Shahzan Fraser’s Hill, Kuala Lumpur Tourist Guides Association (KLTGA), the Fraser’s Hill community, and all partners involved in the success of this initiative. Special recognition is extended to Dr. Muhammad Afnan Hj. Mahusain for leading the festival initiative, Dr. Khairiah Ismail for supervising the Eco Charity Run, and Ms. Dhiya Hikmahana Abdul Razak for guiding the Eco Treasure Hunt.
Festival Hijau Bukit Fraser 2026 exemplifies Taylor’s University’s commitment to impact-driven education, where students, academics, industry, and communities collaborate to create sustainable solutions beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as this, the Bachelor of International Events Management programme continues to develop graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, and global mindset to create meaningful impact in the events industry.