ENHANCING SABAH ECO-TOURISM

LAHAD DATU: Sabah’s rich biodiversity calls for more niche accommodation options, especially in conservation areas, to enhance the experience for medium to high-end tourists.

These accommodations cater to those willing to stay longer and invest in a unique nature experience while learning about Sabah’s conservation efforts.

Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai emphasised this at the launch of Utan Rainforest Lodge on Friday.

As Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, he stressed the importance of offering high-quality accommodations that blend comfort with nature.

“By providing eco-friendly, specialised stays, we encourage tourists to engage more deeply with our natural environment and conservation efforts,” Joniston said.

Present at the event were Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, Borneo Eco Tours Managing Directors Albert Teo and Timothy Teo, Tawau Regional Forestry Officer Arapa Lamuda, and Lahad Datu District Forestry Officer Osman Bangkong.

The Utan Rainforest Lodge, developed by Borneo Eco Tours, is located within the wildlife-rich Sungai Kapur Virgin Jungle Reserve.

Joniston acknowledged the lodge as a welcome addition to Sabah’s eco-tourism offerings, which already include similar establishments promoting conservation and sustainable tourism.

“This lodge, like others, contributes to our goal of providing unique and comfortable experiences for tourists, while also supporting conservation efforts and benefiting the local economy,” he added.

Opened earlier this year, the Utan Rainforest Lodge features 12 rooms and offers a variety of curated activities, including birdwatching, wildlife viewing, river cruises, night safaris, and jungle trekking.

Located just two hours overland from Lahad Datu, Sungai Kapur is home to a diverse array of endemic species, such as the Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Orangutan, Sun Bear, Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, and the elusive Helmeted Hornbill, among others.