The International Ecotourism Society

Uniting Conservation, Communities
and Sustainable Travel

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BEST




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Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies (BEST)
(formerly known as Sukau Ecotourism Research and Development (SERDC)
Message History Objectives Projects Donation

Borneo Eco Tours set up Sukau Rainforest Lodge in 1995 at Sukau. As a result of the successes and challenges resulting from the many community and environmental projects implemented by both organizations, it decided to set up Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development Centre or SERDC in 1999 as a non profit division to conduct research and development in the field of ecotourism.

From 1 st January 2000, Sukau Rainforest Lodge committed to donate US$1 for every international tourist who stayed at the lodge to enable it to carry out its projects.With the increasing knowledge and scope of work of SERDC, it was decided to rename SERDC as Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies or BEST in 2006. From 1 January 2007 Borneo Eco Tours, also committed RM8.00 to BEST for every international tourist visiting Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

In April 2007, Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies was officially registered with the government as a non profit organization.

Objectives of Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies B.E.S.T

  1. To promote sustainability of tourism and particularly ecotourism in Borneo.

  2. To promote and develop alternative employment and income in addition to the traditional fishing, farming and hunting to ensure the sustainability of the nature tourism industry in Sabah.

  3. To provide students and teachers of ecotourism an avenue to learn about the concepts and practice of ecotourism as one possible solution to eradicating poverty in the rural community.

  4. To test and apply modern technologies and environmental management practices in a local setting and to provide an economic model for sustainable development principles.

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

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

  7. To explore areas of co-operation and common interests among the various stakeholders in the Sabah including plantations, tourism lodges, tour operators, local community, and government departments including the Wildlife department, Forestry department, and Sabah Tourism together with the NGOs including WWF and University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and other international institutions to ensure the long term sustainability of ecotourism in Sabah.