9 volunteers from Borneo Eco Tours and Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies Society (BEST) joined a one-day flood crisis relief mission to Kota Marudu and Pitas, northern Sabah on 7^th February 2009. The community project was held in collaboration with Skyline (SIB) Church, District offices, Borneo Eco Tours and BEST Society to distribute 940 food and groceries packs to the severely affected areas. A total amount of RM2000.00 was contributed by BEST Society in this project. A team of doctors also boarded to offer free medical check up for the sick. The team was split into three groups and visited different affected villages around Kota Marudu district and Pitas.
 

The Kudat Coco-pot has been identified as a potential source of income for the community by the Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technology Society (BEST). Since 2008, BEST Society in its effort to help develop the local community, assisted in the production, transportation, marketing and as well as distribution of the Kudat Coco-pot on behalf of the Rungus community and hopes that the project will eventually take off and become self sustaining. This eco-product under our brand name, Kudat Coco-pot, is an eco-pot made from a coconut husk and not only creates great plant decor, it is also environmentally friendly. It is the hope of all at BEST Society that by creating enough support and demand, this new product will eventually replace the coco-pots that are currently being imported from our neighbouring country. The Kudat Coco-Pot is sold for RM9.50 each.

60 participants turned up for the one day seminar held at Dewan Majihi, Matunggong on the 4^th April 2009. The event was organized by Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies Society (BEST) with collaboration from Matunggong Community Development Committee (MCDC). Mr. Lam Kee Hing from Cornerstone Society, who was appointed by Borneo Eco Tours as it trainer consultant was the main facilitator of the seminar. This seminar is part of a two year program by BEST Society to promote community development through capacity building with other NGOs and Government agencies aimed at identifying the potential of the Rungus community in Matunggong.

The newly formed Kinabatangan Corridor of Life Tourism Operators Association or KiTA was officially launched on 28^th June 2009 at Kg. Bilit by the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture MoTEC, YB Datuk Masidi Manjun.KiTA at its meeting in Kg. Bilit has also adopted a resolution to work alongside WWF to implement the Voluntary Conservation Levy (VCL) among all the operators along the Kinabatangan River, which will then finance the conservation of wildlife and its habitat in the Kinabatangan-Corridor of Life (K-CoL).
Mr. Albert Teo, representing Borneo Eco Tours also presented a paper ‘Tourism in Kinabatangan Corridor of Life: It’s Link with Conservation’ during the half day tourism workshop.
KiTA’s Protem Chairman, Alex Yee also handed over a cheque of RM 32,932.00 collected by five participating lodges including Sukau Rainforest Lodge (which collected RM12,176.75 as of October 2009) to WWF witnessed by the Datuk Masidi. Under this scheme, lodges invite their guests to contribute RM 20 which is then collected and channeled into the ongoing conservation efforts such as the K-CoL Patrol and Enforcement Unit.
Comprising of tour operators, lodges, backpacker lodges, and homestays in the lower Kinabatangan, KiTA was established with the aim of promoting and implementing globally recognized sustainable tourism practices that is beneficial for the people and planet while at the same time run as a profitable business.

Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technology Society (BEST) on July 1, 2009 made a contribution of RM5,000.00 to the villagers of Kampung Desa Aman, (pop. 400) Kundasang to finance half the cost of repair of the Water Supply Project for the village.

Kampung Desa Aman is located in Kundasang at the foothills of Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site and is about 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu. The village community of 400 people depends on the river catchment for their water supply.

In the year 2007, Desa Aman received two 5000-gallon tanks from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage of Sabah to channel water from Sungai Kalanggaan.

However due to poor construction and storm damage in 2008 to the piping system, the water tanks were operating at 20% capacity. Since then supply of water to 40 households had to be rationed.

While waiting for fund allocation from the government, BEST Society pledged RM 5,000.00 of the total estimated cost of RM10,000.00 to minimize hardship to the villagers. Photo shows Deputy Chairman of BEST Society, Baton Bijamin handing the cheque to Mr. Arujin Dani, the JKKK (or the Village Security & Development Committee Head) of Kampung Desa Aman.

BEST Society is a non profit foundation set up by Borneo Eco Tours, Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Borneo Backpackers with the objectives of implementing communities and environmental projects in Sabah. It is funded mainly with contribution of RM50,000.00 from the group.

7^th September marks another historic day for Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies Society (BEST) as Borneo Eco Tours’ Managing Director, Mr. Albert Teo made a personal contribution of RM100,000.00 to BEST Society’s community and environmental projects. The contribution is meant to support BEST Society’s continuous efforts to develop local community and to uphold conservation in this region.
 

On 19^th September 2009, BEST Society organized a Personal Financial Planning Seminar for the local community in Matunggong, Kudat. The topic of the seminar emphasized on the importance of personal financial planning and how locals can benefit financially even when living in the rural area. BEST Society’s Advisor, Mr. Lam Kee Hing who is an experienced speaker in the scope of motivation and personal development shared the success formula during the one-day seminar. 30 enthusiastic participants from 4 villages namely Kg. Hobut, Kg. Mompilis, Kg. Pinawantai and Kg. Tinanggol turned up for the seminar.

On 19^th October, Managing Director of Borneo Eco Tours and Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Mr. Albert Teo was reappointed as a member of the panel of judges of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) for the fifth consecutive year. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) takes pride in working with a distinguished panel of judges consisting of representatives from public and private sector organizations, the media and academia. The panel is chaired by Costas Christ, an internationally renowned expert in sustainable tourism.

15^th October 2009 marks another chapter in the anal of Borneo Eco Tours when a Green Team of eleven staff members was formed and led by Mizal Khan. Starting out with a few general pointers, staff are educated on weekly basis on common practices such as recycling, paper usage, water wastage and energy saving. In time, the team aims to spread and educate the public on the importance of making the right decision in keeping this globe clean and cool.

In November, Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Borneo Eco Tours had the pleasure of introducing the Borneo River Mug, which comes in 4 vibrant colors. A mug of coffee or tea on the morning and evening cruises in an electric motor powered river boats will not only enhance the wildlife river viewing experience but also help to reduce the wastage of 10,000 plastic mineral water bottles that are used in our operations for Sukau and Selingan in a year. The Borneo River Souvenir Mug are made available for souvenir at RM38.00 each.

This second seminar was a continuation of the previous seminar session which also involved personal financial management and it was successfully held on the 14^th of November 2009. The seminar was conducted at the Handicraft Training Centre, Kampung Pinawantai, Matunggong, Sabah by Mr. Lam Kee Hing, a BEST Society Advisor. A number of 26 people from several villages including Kg. Hobut, Kg. Tinangol, Kg. Pinawantai, Kg. Goumon, Kg. Mompilis and Kg. Narandong attended and benefited from this seminar. The main objective of this financial planning seminar is to educate local community on the importance of personal financial planning and how they can spot opportunity through staying in the rural area.

Borneo Eco Tours is elated to be named as the winner of the Sabah Tourism Awards 2009 in the Best Inbound Tour Operator category. Founder and Managing Director of Borneo Eco Tours, Mr. Albert Teo accepted the award at a gala dinner hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah at a leading resort in Kota Kinabalu on 21^st November 2009. Borneo Eco Tours last won the award in 1997 and more recently, won the Best Tour Package through 3D/2N Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari in 2007. Sukau Rainforest Lodge, our eco lodge in Lower Kinabatangan was also named as the Finalist in ‘Excellence in Hotel Services & Nature Lodge’ category this year.

Borneo Eco Tours hosted a Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) Workshop on 27^th – 28^th November with Gracie Geikie, Associate Dean, Faculty of Hospitality and Management, UCSI University Sarawak as the facilitator. The 2-day workshop was attended by staff and management of Borneo Eco Tours and our partners from Sunshine Borneo Tours and Travel (Brunei) and Seridan Mulu Tour & Travel Services (Sarawak). The event was also aimed to develop Borneo as a single destination by offering fixed and customized packages to Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

121 staff and family members from Borneo Eco Tours, Borneo Backpackers, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, and partners from Brunei, Sunshine Borneo gathered in Kota Kinabalu on 28^th November for the yearly staff party. The evening was transformed into a ‘Bollywood night’ with everyone dressed in Indian costumes. The event also recognised staff for long service, outstanding performance and dedication to the company.

Beginning January 2010, Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL) will undergo major face-lifting that will turn this international multi-award winner ecolodge into a premier accommodation and hospitality provider in the heart of Lower Kinabatangan. However, and most importantly on our agenda are the measures taken to ensure that upgrading work will have little impact on SRL’s opulent ecology.The new Sukau Rainforest Lodge with new added features would tremendously enhance guests’ holiday experience. For instance, our Gomantong Hall would be integrated in the renovation plan to cater to small special interest groups of up to 40 pax. Another added value to the lodge would be our new health spa. No doubt, on top of enjoying the pure natural ambience of Sukau, our guests will have more access to relaxation and wellness activities.
The number of existing 20 rooms will be maintained as to limit the impact of mass arrivals. As such, personalised services will remain intact and environmental impact will be kept at minimal level. Our guests will enjoy better room facilities and trendy interior features.

1. Malaysia Tourism Symposium 15^th Jan 2009, New Challenges and Directions- Trends affecting ecotourism in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
2. 2^nd Annual Environment Conference – The Malaysian Ecotourism Industry: Creating value with the gifts of Nature, Kuala Lumpur, 24^th – 25^th February 2009
3. 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, Indonesia. 30^th Nov � 2^nd December 2009
4. Sarawak Tourism Players Capacity Building Workshop: Exploring New Frontiers, Managing Challenges: Synergizing the role of the private and public sector.15^th – 17^th December 2009, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.