The isolated Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley, Sabah, is an exclusive retreat where experienced guides pass on their knowledge of the rainforest to tourists.
Sarawak is well endowed with natural resources from rainforests to coastal mangroves, caves and mountain ranges. Many tourists are attracted to these natural sites and to where people still lead traditional ways of life. Legendary tales of mystical Borneo have lured adventurous travelers to the mighty Rajang or Baram River and their longhouse communities. Mulu National Park is the place to explore limestone caves to see an undisturbed geological wonderland.
In other parts of the state, Batang Ai offers a lake environment and various Iban longhouse communities. Bako National Park near the capital, Kuching, has long been a favourite with those seeking a little solitude beside the South China Sea where pitcher plants and proboscis monkeys can be seen. At Mount Gading National Park, fortunate visitors can see the rare Rafflesia flower in full bloom.
If tourism is to be sustainable, it must preserve the attractions and uniqueness that draw people to an area. By linking education about the environment with simple and minimal travel needs, ecotourism can help protect environments and provide economic incentives to local people to preserve their natural resources.
For this to happen, tourism should have a minimal impact. It should use local people and products while most of the money generated should remain within the local community. Tourism activities that degrade the environment adversely, affect the local community or fail to return worthwhile economic benefits to the local community are not sustainable in the long-term.
See also the latest article from Wild Asia: http://wildasia.net/main/article.cfm?articleID=176