From Ecolodge to National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World

2015 Global Eco Asia - Pacific Tourism Conference

17 - 19 November 2015, Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Theme: Ecotourism - Navigating for Success

From Ecolodge to National Geographic Unique Lodges of the WorldBy

Albert TeoSukau Rainforest Lodge / Borneo Eco Tours

Deputy Chairman / Asian Ecotourism Network AENFellow / Edith Cowan University

24 Charter Members in January 2015

• Rubondo Island Camp, Tanzania • Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, South Africa • Sayari Camp, Tanzania• Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia• Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Malaysian Borneo• The Brando, French Polynesia• The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana • Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia • Tierra Atacama, Chile• Tierra Patagonia, Chile • Tswalu, South Africa • Zhiwa Ling, Bhutan

• Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland Grootbos,

South Africa • Inkaterrra Machu Picchu, Peru • Kapari Natural Resort, Greece • Kasbah du Toubkal, Morocco• Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, Costa Rica Lizard Island,

Australia • Longitude 131, Australia• Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador• Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, Canada• Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica• Rosalie Bay Resort, Dominica

http://www.borneoecotours.com | http://www.sukau.com | http://www.bestsociety.org

14 Charter Members in June 2015

• Petit St. Vincent, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean• Siwash Lake Ranch, British Columbia, Canada • Hacienda de San Antonio, Colima, Mexico • Cuixmala, Costalegre, Mexico • Zarafa Camp, Selinda Reserve, Botswana • Mara Plains Camp, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya • ol Donyo Lodge, Chyulu Hills, Kenya • Tutka Bay Lodge, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, United States • Winterlake Lodge, South-Central Alaskan Wilderness, United States • Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, Amazon Rain Forest, Peru • Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, Sacred Valley of the Inca, Peru • Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco, Peru • Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Australia • The Bushcamp Company, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

3http://www.borneoecotours.com | http://www.sukau.com | http://www.bestsociety.org

A Growing Global Footprint

Priorities• Fill geographic gaps• Continue to diversify collection• Reach 50 lodges by year end

Charter Lodge Members

New Lodge Members


A collection of extraordinary hotels and lodges, committed to sustainability, authenticity

and excellence.


What Makes Us “Unique”

• Unmatched brand recognition, reputation, and reach• Rich institutional resources that provide access to

cutting-edge scientific research projects and top scientists, explorers, and photographers around the world

• A deep commitment to sustainable tourism best practices and top quality experiences, maintained through an extensive member vetting process

• Connected to a robust travel program with opportunities for lodges to be incorporated into existing and new itineraries

• A diverse offering of National Geographic Exclusive experiences


Sukau Rainforest Lodge (1995)


History of Sukau Rainforest Lodge

8

From left: Albert Teo and Kari Kari and wife

Kari bin Ongong


Location of Sukau Rainforest Lodge


Route to Sukau Rainforest Lodge


Mission Statement


“To excel as an ecolodge by providing a unique experience in hospitality interpretation and

conservation with local community participation and leadership development.”

Accommodation


• Bornean minimalism concept• Sun room; Louvre windows• 270 square feet• Cross air ventilation• K-Block wall (termite proof, fire retardant,

sound insulation)

Awards and Recognitions


Code of Practice Since 1999


1. Environment2. Education3. Local Community4. Culture5. Safety6. Marketing

Creating Value through the Gifts of Nature:

Sukau Rainforest Lodge Green Policies


1. Design & Construction2. Electricity & Lighting3. Water Usage4. Noise Minimisation5. Safety & Cleanliness6. Education & Interpretation7. Local Community benefits

Green Policies: Design & Construction


1. The lodge is built on stilts five feet above ground to: Avoid flooding Prevent pest invasion Improve air circulation

2. Many other lodges were flooded in 1996 and in 2003.

3. The Hornbill Boardwalk is built with two elephant passes to allow for the migration of Borneo Pygmy elephants through the property.

4. Passive cooling design and exhaust fans installed to extract hot air above ceilings to enhance indoor thermal comfort of the lodge with low energy consumption.

5. An open concept is adopted to allow for unrestrained air circulation and ventilation, thus minimising the use of fans.

Green Policies: Design & Construction (cont.)


Hornbill Boardwalk

Kari Boardwalk

Green Policies: Electricity & Lighting


1. The lodge has as its main energy sources both electrical and solar energy.

2. Completely self-reliant from energy since 1995 and was not connected to the grid until 2008.

3. Electrical power is used mainly for lighting the lodge while solar energy is utilised for heating water.

4. All night lighting is supplemented by the use of kerosene oil lamps in the garden and along the corridors.

5. Recycled cooking oil lamps are used in the restaurant and lounge area to provide a cozy ambience.

6. An open concept has been adopted to allow unrestrained air circulation and ventilation, minimising energy usage and maximising day time cooling.

Green Policies: Water Usage


1. The lodge is 100% self-sufficient on water.

2. Rain water is harvested, filtered and chlorinated for kitchen and guest use.

3. Hot water is supplied by four units of 78.69 gallons of crystal solar heating systems and all toilets are equipped with dual flush systems.

4. The 24-feet dip pool is completely supplied with filtered rain water.


1. Open lobby area for enjoyment of rainforest symphony.

2. Generator has noise reducing acoustic insulation.

3. Boats equipped with four strokes engine and electric motors (i.e. Evinrude E-TEC and Yamaha Portable Outboard Engine)

4. Discourage the use of TV and radio in rooms and lounge area.

5. Guests encourage to minimise noise (esp. after 9pm).

6. Vegetation retained to minimise noise.

Green Policies: Noise Minimisation

Green Policies: Education and Interpretation


1. Education: •A Souvenir of Sabah 2008•Saving Paradise 2005•Sabah – Land of the Sacred Mountain 1988

2. Innovation: •Visitor Handbook on Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain 2003•Hornbill Boardwalk Interpretive Information on the Flora and Fauna 2003

Green Policies: Education and Interpretation (cont.)


Sir David Attenborough

3. Conservation Fellows is a special column dedicated to our guests whose contribution have inspired and made a difference to conservation of the ecology in The Lower Kinabatangan Region.

Professor Ross Dowling & Arq. Hector Ceballos-LascurainKari Ongong & Carol Patterson

Green Policies: Local Community Benefits


1. Employment and training opportunities – over 80% are local staff members

Green Policies: Local Community Benefits (cont.)


2. Supply of fish and prawns

3. Contracts – jetty, plank walk and lodge repairs

4. Water tanks, medical projects.

5. Training ground for other lodges.

Product Innovations


1. Boat transfers to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for wildlife sightings.

2. Electric motors for river cruise.3. Guests wear sarong for dinner. 4. Dinner served on riverfront open deck. 5. Oil lamps at dinner tables use recycled

cooking oil.6. Dip pool use water from rainwater

harvesting.7. Elephant passes at Hornbill Boardwalk.


Non-Profit Organisation of BET & SRL:Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and

Technologies (BEST) Society• To promote sustainability of tourism.• To promote and develop alternative employment and income.• To provide students and teachers of ecotourism an avenue to learn

about the concepts and practice of ecotourism.• To test and apply modern technologies and environmental

management practices in a local setting and to provide an economic model for sustainable development principles.

• To improve human and knowledge capitals through capacity building, skill training, technical assistance and leadership development programs of the local leaders.

• To act as a catalyst to develop a Code of Practice on ecotour and ecolodge operations in Sabah.

• To explore areas of co-operation and common interests among the various stakeholders in Sabah.


BEST Society: Creating Value through Natural Capital Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration Project (KWICORP)

Prince Henrik and Tengku Adlin planting a tree seedling year 2001

Michelle Noronha, a volunteer and an in-house guide at Phase 1 Site in 2007

Mrs. Wendy Dowling at Phase 1 Site year 2006

Phase 1 Site in June 2009


BEST Society: Creating Value through Human Capital


BEST Society: Capacity Building and EntrepreneurshipTechnical Assistance to Bavanggazo Longhouse (1996)


BEST Society: Capacity Building and EntrepreneurshipEducational Tour for 3 Rungus Village Tourism leaders

to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Tea, Sandakan and Sukau (2006)

Terongkongan BeachTerongkongan Beach

Restaurant

Somuil and NorzailiSomuil and Norzaili

LonghouseLonghouse


BEST Society: Creating Value through Business Development

Ronnie and wife holding finished product (August 2012)

Since 2010 Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

Before After

BONCO VCO LABEL

RM20/bottle

Profit increases by500%

RM45/bottle

Brochure of Bonco VCO


Marketing

• Phase 1 (Kg Lugu), Phase 2 (Kg Pandan), Phase 3

(Kg Mandamai), Phase 4 (Kg Kobon) 2012 - 2014

• Supplied 96 water tanks

• Benefitted 91 families• Spent RM 63,655.25

Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships


Voluntourism

• 3 groups (2006, 2011, 2014) – 53 students• Involved in community activities such as water living project,

tree planting, books and bed frames donation to school children, painting community hall, cultural exchange.



Kiulu Community Based Ecotourism Projects


Kiulu Community Based Ecotourism Projects


Success Does Not Come Without Adversity: Camp Lemaing

• Located in Kiau area

• Invested over RM200,000 to build

• Took 3 years to build

Photos of Camp Lemaing BEFORE the mudslide and flash flood


Success Does Not Come Without Adversity: Camp Lemaing (cont.)

Photos of Camp Lemaing AFTER the mudslide and flash flood

Borneo Eco Tours / Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST) 39

““I have come to the conclusion that charity I have come to the conclusion that charity couldn’t deliver the outcomes I was trying to couldn’t deliver the outcomes I was trying to

achieve; primarily, the alleviation of poverty”.achieve; primarily, the alleviation of poverty”.

The End of Charity 2008 by Nic FrancesThe End of Charity 2008 by Nic FrancesWinner of Iremonger AwardWinner of Iremonger Award


Sources of Income (1996 – June 2015)Sources of Income (1996 – June 2015)Contribution from Borneo Eco Tours

RM 483,547.00 (36%)

Contribution from Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL)

RM 258,653.00 (19%)

Grand total : RM 1,342,996.00

Amount spent on community and environment projects (As of Dec 2014) through BEST Society

RM 1,011,776.83

“Empowering Communities”40http://www.borneoecotours.com | http://www.sukau.com | http://www.bestsociety.org


Our PartnersOur Partners


ConclusionConclusion

Integrating Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development Through Ecotourism

1.Vision and Mission (Core Values) -Think Big/Global; Start Small/Local

2. Requirements-Sustainability – Economic, Social and Environment -Creating a separate non-profit division at some stage

3. Conservation / enhancement of biodiversity – Protecting NATURAL Capital-Minimising negative impact on the environment

4. Developing HUMAN and BUSINESS Capitals (Internal and External)-Internal – Leadership Development-External – Technical, Micro Financing, Business Operations, Entrepreneurship

5. Communication – Web, Digital News, Books, Newsflash, Press Releases


Thank YouThank Youfor for

Your attention.Your attention.

From Ecolodge to National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World

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