Gayana Eco Resort, Borneo

Bunga Raya Beach Resort‘s sister property, Gayana Eco Resort is located minutes away by boat on Gaya Island in Sabah, Borneo. 44 water villas, ideally located at the edge of the jungle forest and over the sea. Our recommendation is to stay in the Ocean View (Bayu Villa). Do note however, there is no long-stretch beach at this resort. Also soon coming, is the Palm Villa to be launched which is simply breathtaking and we can’t wait to test this out!

PZ and I visited for a day trip this unique resort which is, at its heart, about protecting and re-generating the unique Malaysian Marine Ecology. We were very exited to see pioneers and leaders of the practice of eco-tourism in Sabah and Malaysia. For as far as I know, this unique concept property  that balances ecology and luxury hospitality, is the only one to have on-site a Marine Ecology Research Centre (known as MERC).

MERC has three main programs:

– Protect and breed Giant Clams: In the wild, larger clams are extremely rare and hard to find. Although abundant in the past, they have been collected for food and are over-fished to the point of extinction. Clams actually provide a wide range of benefits such as filter feeders, meaning that they help marine ecosystems maintain high water quality by absorbing nitrates, ammonia and other organics that are harmful to sensitive reef inhabitants even in very low concentrations.

– Coral replanting: Coral reefs are currently threatened by destructive practices such as fish bombing; elevated sea surface temperatures due to global climate change; rising levels of CO2; and human presence. Coral reefs provide a wide range of benefits e.g. reducing the amount of sand and sediment to shore; foster diverse species like mollusks, oysters, clams, shrimps, sea urchins, turtles; and many fish seek food and shelter amid coral reefs. You can participate in activities such as replanting coral which PZ did and she can monitor the progress over time.

– Restoring marine life: Many endangered marine creatures are constantly threatened by human development and over-fishing practices. MERC works as a sanctuary for creatures in distress to provide them with immediate assistance. Sea creatures rescued from the nets of fishermen are rehabilitated back to health by the research staff.

I was very impressed by the resort’s standards of practice, both eco-friendly and sustainable to ensure a long-term profitability. As a guest, especially if you have kids, you will enjoy to participate in restoring unique life back to the damaged ocean floors. Sustainable tourism can be fun!

Frog.

My Favorite Eco-Hotels

Eco-tourism is often mixed up with “nature” tourism. Nature tourism is the generic term for all activities done outdoors, whereas Eco-tourism means sustainable tourism, which respect nature (through energy saving, waste management, recycling), but also involve the local people in the economy, education in sustainable development and protection of the biodiversity. The best way to protect the environment is to understand its business value.

To celebrate Earth Day today 22nd April, I have selected my favorite Eco-Hotels around the world. What I mean by favorite Eco-Hotels is of course their fantastic locations, facilities and great design, but also their true responsibility in sustainable development. So I highly suggest selecting an Eco-Hotel when you decide to go on holiday, as it will be a memorable experience; it will strongly benefit the environment; and push the local tour-operators in preserving the natural resources.

Seriously look at the pictures below and dare to say no to these gorgeous places!

Gayana Eco Resort - Malaysia (Borneo)

Gayana Eco Resort – eco-friendly practices, pledging to protect the environment by adhering to Sabah Parks’ policy on the preservation and acute conservation of Sabah’s wildlife

Six Senses Hideaway Hua-Hin - Thailand

Six Senses Hideaway Hua Hin – Communicating sustainable development to guests is important for Six Senses group. They believe sustainable luxury is possible.

Longitude 131 Resort - Australia

Longitude 131 Resort –  The resort is run on solar power and the tents sit on top of a sand dune, built of steel stilts to leave the desert sands beneath undisturbed.

Star Island - Bahamas

Star Island – The building is architecturally green and they use LED lighting and geothermal HVAC. Water is also provided by the rainwater harvesting system.

Kamu Lodge - Laos

Kamu Lodge – a true authentic eco-lodge nestled next to the Mekong River and the jungle. The resort provides employment to the local ethnic Kamu people and the revenue gained from guests goes to a fund to provide basic education for the village’s children.

Tauana Hotel - Brazil (Bahia)

Tauana Hotel – Water is solar heated, and waste is recycled or composted. Tauana has also implemented a sewage treatment system to protect the land and all food is sourced locally.

Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge - Alaska (too cold for PZ unfortunately)

Sadie Cove – offers the visitor a unique opportunity to participate in Alaska’s wilderness lifestyle in a genuine, year-round, Alaskan home and lodge, for example planting a new tree with each guest.

Frog.

Future of tourism: ecological?

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO/OMT), a specialized agency of the United ‎Nations and the leading international organization in the field of tourism, estimates that tourism is today responsible for 5% of greenhouse gas emissions and that the situation will get worse if we don’t change our traveling habits. 1.1 billion travelers will cross the planet in 2010; 1.6 by 2020. It is now a priority to travel differently. But how?

First of all, get used to the idea that there is no ideal eco-traveler, just because taking the plane has a very negative impact on global warming. Should we stop taking the plane? Of course not. Tourism and leisure are crucial in our stressful lives to open our minds and hearts and very important for local economies. But we can improve the way we travel and become more sustainable.

The first tip to becoming a better eco-traveler is to choose modern companies with recent aircrafts. My second tip is to calculate your carbon emissions. For example, I have calculated my carbon emissions for a return flight from Paris to Kuala Lumpur (check out http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-calculator.htm). My result: 1.810 ton. Equivalent to 16,000 km driven with my car or two years of heat for my apartment in France!

 

Don’t ask us what we were doing in the tree!

To offset your carbon emissions, you can sponsor tree plantings (5,820 trees is my price to pay to visit my in-laws in Malaysia) or choose to sponsor another sustainable development program.

My third tip is to take your time and stop running. Before going overseas, prepare your journey by choosing eco-friendly tour operators, try to avoid the busiest sites and search less known places in order to balance the tourism geographical repartition around the globe.

And last but not least, help preserve the environment by visiting natural parks, eco museums, don’t buy any protected species, reduce air con in your room, water wasting etc etc…

Most of all, don’t give up, start with what you can, every detail matters in becoming a responsible tourist!

(Green) Frog.