Albert Teo

PROFILE

A graduate in Economics (Honours) from the University of London in 1977, Albert Teo has been in the tourism industry for the last forty three years since 1977. After fourteen years running a family hotel, he ventured out to set up his own inbound tour company, Borneo Eco Tours in 1991 and an ecolodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge in 1995. In 2007 he set up his non profit society, Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies (B.E.S.T) Society. In 2015,

His companies, Borneo Eco Tours and Sukau Rainforest Lodge, have won numerous international awards including Asia's Leading Green Hotel at the 17th World Travel Award 2010; the 2012 SKAL International Sustainable Development in Tourism Award for Tour Operators, awarded at the 73rd SKAL International Congress in Korea; the 2014 Wild Asia Responsible Awards - Best in Community Engagement and Development, the 2015 1st Place Honoree of ETC, USA (Educational Travel Community) Responsible Tourism Showcase, 2015 PATA Tourism Inspire Award for best independent accomodation, 2019 MATTA Best Tour Operator Award for Responsible Tourism, 2019 PATA Gold Award winner for Corporate Social Responsibility . In 2013, BEST Society received the UNWTO Ulysses Award for excellence and innovation in tourism in the NGO category in Madrid, Spain.

Albert Teo has organized five highly successful international ecotourism conferences in Malaysia including: the World Ecotourism Conference and Field Seminars in 1999, the first Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference (APeco) in 2002, and the Borneo Ecotourism Conference (BEC) in 2005. He co-convened the Borneo Tourism Conference (BTC) in 2007, held in Kuching, with Professor Ross Dowling of Edith Cowan University, Australia in September 2007. He also convened his second and the 8th Asian Pacific Ecotourism Conference (APeco) on 16-18th of October 2014, in Kota Kinabalu.

In October 2006, he was appointed Adjunct Lecturer by Edith Cowan University ECU, Australia, for his contribution to the ecotourism industry, and in 2012, conferred a Fellow of the University for his work with the university as well as his philanthropy, community and social work. In March 2016 he was appointed an Adjunct Professor of University Malaysia Sabah UMS.

Albert has served in various capacity in the tourism industry including: Sabah Chapter Chairman of Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents (MATTA) 1996/2001; Chairman of the Sabah Tourist Association 1985/86; Board of Advisors to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) 2010/15, USA; Marketing Committee, Sabah Tourism Board 1996/2017. Albert was also a member of the finalist selection committee for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) for five years. Albert is presently Charter Member / Vice Chair of Asian Ecotourism Network AEN and founding board member of Global Ecotourism Network GEN. In 2019, Albert was recognized with a Special Minister’s award in 2019 at the Sabah Tourism Award Night.

A keen photographer, he has also trekked over 1000km in Borneo, as well as published ten books; some of these include the best-selling "Sabah-Land of the Sacred Mountain", "Journey through Borneo", "Saving Paradise-The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge" co-authored with Carol Patterson, and the latest book "A Souvenir of Sabah Malaysian Borneo" .

Albert is presently focusing his energy on developing social entrepreneurship through his community/environment foundation, Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies, or BEST Society. Among the many projects is an integrated community based tourism project named Kiulu Farmstay and 7.7 acres of forested land which BEST Society has bought in 2017 under Borneo Land Conservancy BLC for the purpose of conservation as a wildlife sanctuary and a research centre under Sukau Ecotourism Research Centre SERC in Sukau.

Last Update : 16th July 2020

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bsc.Econ.(Hons) -University of London - 1977

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. Fellow - Hotel Catering & International Management Association (FHCIMA), UK
2. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), USA
3. Tourist Guide - Ministry of Tourism Malaysia
4. Adjunct Lecturer - Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.2007 - 2012
5. Fellow - Edith Cowan University, Australia 2012
6. Adjunct Professor - University Malaysia Sabah 2016

COMPANIES

1. Hotel Shangri-la, Kota Kinabalu
   • Executive Director 1977-1986
   • Director 2003-2007
2. Api Tours & Travel - Managing Director 1986-1991
3. Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development Centre SERDC - Director 2001 - 2006
4. Borneo Eco Tours Sdn Bhd - Chairman/Managing Director 1991-Current
5. Sukau Rainforest Lodge Sdn Bhd - Chairman/Managing Director 1995-Current
6. Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies (BEST Society) Chairman/Director 2006-Current
7. Kinabalu Resort and Spa Sdn Bhd - Chairman/Managing Director 2006-Current
8. Wild Borneo Boutique Sdn Bhd (formally known as Beauty Borneo Connects Sdn Bhd) - Managing Director 2006 2006-Current

VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS

1. Sabah Tourist Association - Chairman 1985/ 1986
2. Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents Sabah Chapter (MATTA)
   • Chairman 1991-1992
   • Chairman 1996-2001
   • Vice Chairman 2003-2005
3. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), USA
   • Board of Advisors1996 - 2014
   • Board of Advisors2010 - 2012
4. Sabah Society - Committee 2003 - 2004
5. Sabah Tourism Consultative Council STCC - Committee 2009 - 2011
6. Sabah Tourism Board - Marketing Committee 1996 - present
7. Sabah Cheshire Home - Committee 2007 - 2011
8. Asian Ecotourism Network AEN 2015 - present
9. Global Ecotourism Network GEN 2015 - present

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

1. Organising Chairman - World Ecotourism Conference & Field Seminars1999
2. Organising Chairman - Borneo Ecotourism Conference2005
3. Organising Chairman - Borneo Tourism Conference2007
4. Finalist Judging committee - Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, World Tourism and Travel Council2005 - 2010
5. Organising Chairman - East Asia and Pacific Regional Council of Cheshire Homes 10th Biennial General Meeting 2010
6. Organising Chairman - Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference2002, 2014

BOOKS AND VIDEOS PUBLISHED

1. Sabah - Land of the Sacred Mountain1988
2. Exotic Islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park1989
3. Sabah - Land of the Sacred Mountain (video)1990
4. A Guide to Sandakan1990
5. A Guide to Brunei Darussalem1992
6. Journey through Sabah (video)1993
7. Journey through Borneo1994
8. Images of Borneo1996
9. Saving Paradise2005
10. A Souvenir of Sabah Malaysian Borneo2008

INTERVIEWS

1. The ECOCLUB Interview21 sept 2007
2. Coffee Break with Albert Teo by Harbour Herald26 sept 2007
3. Interview with Albert Teo about Ecotourism in Borneo and Sustainable Tourism in South-East Asia by Sustainability Leaders Project25 Aug 2016
4. Albert Teo – A Man With A Green Mission by My Faces + Places08 Oct 2016
5. Albert Teo: How to Sustain Community Building in Ecotourism by Gaia Discovery31 July 2019

PAPER PRESENTED

1. Tapping Investment Incentives in the Tourism Sector - Operational aspect of applying for the special funds for tourism projects: A personal experience. Organised by Institute of Development Studies22nd August 1996
2. APEC Tourism Working Group Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Accomodation. The Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Organised by the Office of the National Tourism, Australia in Cairns12th April 1999
3. Training Workshop on planning and design for small scale ecotourism development projects: The Sukau Rainforest Lodge experience. Organised by Institute of Development Studies3rd-4th May 2000
4. Workshop on Green Productivity and Ecotourism: The Sukau Rainforest Lodge experience organized by Asian Productivity Organisation, Japan in Bali on26-30th June 2000
5. Managing Ecolodge in an ecologically sensitive area, Asia Pacific Regional Ecotourism Conference, Sheraton Fiji Resort, Nadi, Fiji15-17th April 2002
6. Current and Future Challenges in Ecotourism, Issues and Implications for Sabah, Seminar on Global Economic Outlook and Challenges, Institute for Development Studies Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia13th June 2002
7. Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development Centre (SERDC),A Case Study on Ecotourism in Sabah, "21st Century Borneo - Issues in Development", Seventh Biennial International Conference, BORNEO RESEARCH COUNCIL, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia15 -18 July 2002
8. Sustainable Nature Based Tourism in South-East Asia, Sukau Rainforest Lodge: A Case Study, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA20-21st March 2003
9. Global Ecotourism Outlook and Challenges, Transworld Institute of Technology, Douliu City, Republic of China27th October 2003
10. Managing An Ecolodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge: A case study, Transworld Institute of Technology, Douliu City, Republic of China27th October 2003
11. Cultural Tourism in Malaysia, A sustainable option, Univesity Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia28th August 2004
12. Marketing Strategy of Ecotourism, Ecotourism in Taiwan: From Saying to Doing, Taiwan, Republic of China25 - 27 October 2004
13. Practical Marketing Strategy of Ecotourism in Malaysia, (The Story of Borneo Eco Tours), Ecotourism in Taiwan: From Saying to Doing, Taiwan, Republic of China25 - 27 October 2004
14. Managing An Ecolodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge: A case study, Feng Chia University, Seatwen, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China28th October 2004
15. Sabah Tourism Attractions, Sabah Theological Seminary, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia28th July 2005
16. Best Practice Eco and Wildlife Tourism: The Case of Borneo, Global Eco and Wildlife Tourism Seminar, Monkey Mia, Australia16th September 2005
17. Best Practice Eco Accomodations: The case of Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Monkey Mia, Australia16th September 2005
18. The First International Ecotourism Business Forum, Pontianak, Indonesia29th September - 1st October 2005
19. Sukau Rainforest Lodge: The Challenges of Developing Wildlife Tourism, 2nd National Wildlife Tourism Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia13 - 15 August 2006
20. Operating and Managing Sukau Rainforest Lodge: Issues and challenges, Tourism Workshop : Wanita UMNO Sabah, Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia12th September 2006
21. Creating, building, maintaining ecotourism facilities, 4th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference APeco 2006, Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia2-5th November 2006
22. Success stories in Ecotourism Business: Case Studies in Malaysian Borneo, 2nd International Ecotourism and Business Forum, Joyakarta, Indonesia11-14th November
23. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD :1st Asia-Pacific E-tourism for growth - Matching market efficiency and social inclusion. ICT for Sustainable Tourism: A case study on Borneo Eco Tours, Sutera Habour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia13-14th March 2007
24. Business Opportunities in Ecotourism, Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (SWEPA), Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia27-28th July 2007
25. Borneo Ecotourism: Working with the Communities and Environment, Forum for Advocating Culture and Ecotourism FACET, Perth, Australia1st May 2008
26. Borneo Ecotourism: Working with the Communities and Environment, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia2nd May 2008
27. Developing Sabah's Tourism Products and Brand, Creating a Blue Ocean Strategy : Developing Ecotourism as a Competitive Advantage, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah27th September 2008
28. BIMP-EAGA Community Based Ecotourism Conference - Opportunities for Win-Win Community Based Ecotourism Partnerships : Investing in and Profiting from Partnering Community-Based Ecotourism Operations and Marketing, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia30 October - 1 November 2008
29. Malaysia Tourism Symposium, New Challenges and Directions- Trends affecting ecotourism in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur15th Jan 2009
30. 2nd Annual Environment Conference - The Malaysian Ecotourism Industry: Creating value with the gifts of Nature, Kuala Lumpur24th-25th February 2009
31. World Ecotourism Conference: Public-Private Partnership: The Private sector Perspective, Vientiane, Laos14-17th July 2009
32. UNEP Business and Industry Global Dialogue: 3rd Business and the 2010 Biodiversity Challenge Conference : The Story of Borneo Eco Tours: Integrating Biodiversity Conservation in Ecotourism Business. Jakarta, Indonesia30th November - 2nd December 2009
33. Sarawak Tourism Players Capacity Building Workshop: Exploring New Frontiers, Managing Challenges: Synergizing the role of the private and public sector, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia15- 17th December 2009
34. 2nd Global Geotourism Conference: Geotourism Attractions of Sabah, Mulu, Sarawak, Malaysia17-20th April 2010
35. Training Course on Integrated Waste management at Resorts, Hotels and Restaurants: 'A Successful Example in Ecotourism' and 'Marketing Strategies of Green Tourism', Nadi, Fiji21-25 June 2010
36. Terengganu Eco & Marine Tourism Conference (TEMCO): 'Integrating Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development through Ecotourism: The Borneo Eco Tours Story', Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia1st November 2010
37. ASEAN-Japan Centre & Sabah Tourism Board: 'Seminar on Sustainable Development of Tourism' Destination: Borneo Eco Tours Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia18th FebruarY 2011
38. Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference ESTC, Driving Change in Global Tourism: "From Profitable Businesses to Community Projects", Hilton Head Island, SC, USA19-21 September 2011
39. Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Business Forum: Innovative Solutions Today for Sustainable Resources Tomorrow - "Ecotourism, Environment and Communities". Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaOctober 2011
40. Driving Change in Global Tourism: 'From Profitable Business to Community Projects', Destination New South Wales, Australia Martin Place, Sydney, Australia24th-25th February 2009
41. ASEAN and OCEANIA Tourism Forum: Ecotourism in the Asia Pacific Region: 'The Story of Borneo Eco Tours/ Sukau Rainforest Lodge/BEST Society', Sydney, Australia7 November 2011
42. The National Tourism Seminar 2011: "Tourism Imperatives: The Deliverables of a High Valued Malaysian Experience", The Wonders of Borneo: Developing Tourism Markets in Sabah & Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur21 November 2011
43. Secrets of Sabah, Orion Expedition Cruises30th January 2012
44. Saving Paradise, Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, Orion Expedition Cruises3rd February 2012
45. From Charity to Social Entrepreneurship, BEST Society, Orion Expedition Cruises5th February 2012
46. Ecotourism in Asia: The Story of Borneo Eco Tours/Sukau Rainforest Lodge, FACET, Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley Campus, Perth, Australia23rd August 2012
47. Driving Change in Global Tourism: From Profitable business to community projects, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia24th August 2012
48. Ecotourism Best Practices: Case studies from Borneo, Forum Advocating Culture and Ecotourism Conference FACET, Broome, Australia28th August 2012
49. International Conference on Heart of Borneo +5 and Beyond: Shaping and Nurturing Sabah's Future Together, Facilitator on Tourism, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia6-7th November 2012
50. Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference 2012, Penang, Malaysia. Back to mother nature; Challenges of Ecotourism, Panelist28-30th November 2012
51. Iskandar Malaysia National Ecotourism Summit, Johore Bahru, Malaysia. Value Creation in Ecotourism: From Principles to Practice16-18th December 2012
52. Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference: "From Charity to Social Entrepreneurship", Nairobi, Kenya
53. Asia Pacific Tourism, Hospitality and Technology Conference APTHAT. "Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism: Potentials, Pitfalls and Proposals". Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia21st November 2013
54. Asia Pacific Geotourism Conference. Challenges and Opportunities: Developing Geotourism Attractions and Tours in Sabah. Hong Kong30th November 2013
55. 8th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference APeco2014, Adding Value through Ecotourism Development, Marketing Ecolodges, Pacific Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia16-18th October 2014
56. 8th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference APeco2014, Adding Value through Ecotourism, Developing an Ecolodge, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia16-18th October 2014
57. Creating Competitive Advantage through Responsible Tourism Practices, ITB Asia Clinics, Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore30th October 2014
58. Pioneering Sustainable Work Among the Poor, The story of Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia Care, Kota Kinabalu14 March 2015
59. International Conference on Natural Resources, Tourism and Services Management (ICNTS) Ecotourism business and sustainability: Ecotourism business and sustainability: Issues and Challenges, Promenade Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia14 -16 April 2015
60. Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) DASTA CBT Forum Redesign CBT Thailand: Collaborate We CAN, Bangkok, Thailand4 June 2015
61. Institute for Rural Development(INFRA) Sabah, Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, Sabah Homestay Development Course, TH Hotel, Kota Kinabalu Sabah23-27th August 2015
62. 2015 Global Eco Asia - Pacific Tourism Conference, Navigating for Success, From Ecolodge to National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, Rottnest Island, Western Australia17 - 19 November 2015
63. Asia Forest Cooperation Orgaisation (AFoCo), Training Course on Forest Based Ecotourism, Community Involvement and Capacity Building, Marriot Mulu Resort & Spa, Sarawak, Malaysia1st December 2015
64. Asia Forest Cooperation Orgaisation (AFoCo), Training Course on Forest Based Ecotourism, Program, Activities and Infrastructure Development, Marriot Mulu Resort & Spa, Sarawak, Malaysia1st December 2015
65. Taiwan Ecotourism Association 15th anniversary celebration, Taipei, Taiwan: Ecotourism in Borneo - My Journey28-30th April 2016
66. University of Malaysia Sabah: Ecotourism in Borneo: Issues, Challenges and my Journey, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah10th May 2016
67. Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program MTCP, Ecotourism Development & Promotion - Its Impact on Culture, Nature and Community16th May 2016
68. Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program MTCP, Ecotourism Marketing & Promotion Plan: Critical Success Factors, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia18th May 2016
69. Kingdom Economy for social change workshop: Alleviating Poverty through Wealth Creation: From Charity to Social Entrepreneurship. Sabah Theological Seminary.14-16th October 2016
70. 9th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference APeco16. Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. SUCCESS STORIES: Components of ecotourism: Sukau Rainforest lodge and BEST Society.21-23rd October 2016
71. Wildlife Tourism Conference, South Australia: Running an ecolodge on the Kinabatangan River: Challenges and Opportunities.7th Nov 2016
72. South Australia Tourism Industry Council SATIC. "Working with communities to develop ecotourism in general and wildlife tourism in particular".8th Nov 2016
73. International Ecotourism Forum: My Journey from Ecotourism to Social Entrepreneurship Rose Hotel, Banbury, Australia.17th November 2016
74. Asian Strategic and Leadership Institute ASLi. Entrepreneurship and Partnership in Nation Building. Rethinking CSR : Building Lasting Legacies, Sunway Resort and Spa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.29th November 2016
75. Business South West, Pemberton. "Empowering Communities: Borneo Eco Tours' Experience".April, 2017
76. Tourism Western Australia/Forum Advocating Cultural & Ecotourism Inc (FACET), Perth, Australia. GIVING BACK. Tourism's Social Entrepreneurship.April, 2017
77. Subic Ecotourism Festival, Philippines. Ecotourism: A Natural for ASEAN.May 29-1st June 2017
78. Seminar Pelancongan & Perhotelan Hijau, Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka, Malaysia "Seminar Pelancongan & Perhotelan Hijau" .Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka (KUIM) ."The Definition and Understanding of Green Tourism".23rd August 2017
79. International Conference on Heart of Borneo. A Decade of Heart of Borneo Initiative: Accomplishments and the Way Forward. Ecotourism Development: Community Based Tourism in the Heart of Borneo, Magellan Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.24-25th October, 2017
80. "Infinite Discovery" - Nature Travel Awards Ceremony 2017, Shanghai, China. The Borneo Eco Tours Experience.15th-21st November, 2017
81. Ecotourism Development: Community Based Tourism in the Heart of Borneo, Huating Hotel, ShanghaiNovember, 2017
82. Sustainable Tourism and Forest Management in the Asia-Pacific Region, Jeju-do, Republic of Korea22nd March 2018
83. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions, Perth, Western AustraliaForum Advocating Cultural & Ecotourism Inc (FACET), Perth, Western Australia. Geotourism in Sabah14 May 2018
84. 2018 International Conference on Ecotourism for Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development, Philippines14-16th August 2018
85. ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN MANAGING TOURISM RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY IN SABAH: NGO's Perspective on Sustainable Management of Community Tourism Products. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Institute for Development Studies.6th September 2018
86. International Forum on Korea Rural Tourism Resources: Developing Creative Tourism as a Tourism Product, CONRAD SEOUL Hotel, Korea10-13th September 2018
87. The Long Run: Development of Social Entrepreneurship in Community. Wanas, Sweden. 3rd October 2018
88. Global Eco Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference; The 4Cs of Borneo Eco Tours Group: Commerce, Culture, Community and Conservation. Townsville, Queensland, Australia.26-28th November 2018
89. AEN Taiwan Ecotourism Conference 2019: “Respecting Indigenous People in Ecotourism” 19th January 2019
90. Bhutan Economic Forum for Innovative Transformation: Economic Empowerment Through Ecotourism - Thimphu, Bhutan16-18 July 2019
91. Bhutan Economic Forum for Innovative Transformation: Community Empowerment Through Social Entrepreneurship - Thimphu, Bhutan16-18 July 2019
92. BTRC Enhancing Profitability Through Sustainable Growth And Practices In Travel And Tourism: Embracing The Global Sustainable Standards. “Building Your Brand For Sustainability As A Nature Lodge” - Hilton Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. 17-18th October 2019
93. Eradication of Poverty Through Social Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of B.E.S.T. Society2019
94. The Concept and Practice of Community Based Tourism - CTRE, Asian Tourism International College(ATI) Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.21st February 2020