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MANAGING DIRECTOR

Managing Director Borneo Eco Tours/Sukau Rainforest Lodge

A graduate in Economics (Honours) from the University of London in 1977, Albert Teo has been in the tourism industry for the last thirty six years.

Over the three decades, he has been a hotelier, tour operator, lodge and backpacker owner and operator, photographer, author, publisher, conference organizer, ecotourism consultant, speaker, lecturer and social entrepreneur. Albert is presently working on designing and building two new ecolodges in Sabah.

A keen photographer, he has trekked over 1,000km in Borneo and published over 200 postcards designs, motivational bookmarks and Photo CDs of Borneo, published ten books including the best selling Sabah -Land of the Sacred Mountain, Journey through Borneo, Saving Paradise-The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge authored with Carol Patterson and the latest book, A Souvenir of Sabah Malaysian Borneo.

His companies Borneo Eco Tours and Sukau Rainforest Lodge have won numerous international ecotourism awards including Asia's Leading Green Hotel at the 17th World Travel Award 2010 and the 2012 SKÅL International Sustainable Development in Tourism Award for Tour Operator at the 73rd SKÅL International Congress in Korea.

Albert Teo has organized four highly successful international ecotourism conferences in Malaysia including World Ecotourism Conference and Field Seminars 1999, Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference APeco2002, Borneo Ecotourism Conference BEC2005. He co-convened the Borneo Tourism Conference BTC2007 in Kuching with Professor Ross Dowling of Edith Cowan University, Australia in September 2007. Albert is presently focusing his energy on developing social entrepreneurship through his community/ environment foundation, Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies or BEST Society (www.bestsociety.org).

Albert has served in various positions in the tourism industry including Sabah Chapter Chairman of Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents MATTA, Chairman of Sabah Tourist Association, Advisor of The International Ecotourism Society TIES, USA, marketing committee of Sabah Tourism Board and member of Sabah Tourism Consultative Council STCC. For the last five years, Albert was a member of the finalist selection committee for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards of World Travel and Tourism Council WTTC.

In the last few years Albert travelled around the Asia Pacific countries as a keynote speaker on ecotour and ecolodge operations. In October 2006, Albert was appointed Adjunct Lecturer by Edith Cowan University, Australia for his contribution to the ecotourism industry. In 2012, Albert was conferred a Fellow of Edith Cowan University for his work with the university as well as his philanthropy, community and social work.

ecu-fellow-01 ecu-fellow-02 ecu-fellow-03

Updated 29th January 2013

INTERVIEWS
The EcoClub Interview (view) 21 Sept 2007
Coffee Break with Albert by Harbour Herald (view) 26 Sept 2007
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bsc. Econ.(Hons) - University of London 1977
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Fellow - Hotel Catering & International Management Association (FHCIMA), UK  
Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA).USA  
Tourist Guide - Ministry of Tourism Malaysia  
Adjunct Lecturer - Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia. 2007 - 2012
COMPANIES (1977 - PRESENT)
Hotel Shangri-la, Kota Kinabalu - Executive Director
Director		 1977 - 1986
2003 - 2007
Api Tours & Travel - Managing Director 1986 - 1991
New Esplanade Hotel, Perth - Director 1981 - 2007
Borneo Integrated Services Pty Ltd, Perth - Chairman/ Director 2003 - 2008
Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development Centre SERDC - Director 2001 - 2006
Sabah Handicraft Centre - Partner 1986 - Current
Borneo Eco Tours Sdn. Bhd. - Chairman/Managing Director 1991 - Current
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Sdn Bhd - Chairman/Managing Director 1995 - Current
Borneo Backpackers Sdn Bhd - Chairman/Director 2004 - Current
Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technology (BEST) - Chairman/Director 2006 - Current
Kinabalu Resort and Spa Sdn. Bhd. - Chairman/Managing Director 2006 - Current
Beauty Borneo Connects Sdn Bhd - Managing Director 2006 - Current
VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS  
Sabah Tourist Association - Chairman 1985/1986
Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents Sabah Chapter - Chairman
 
Vice Chairman		 1991 - 1992
1996 - 2001
2003 - 2005
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), USA. - Board of Advisors 1996 - 2004
2010 - 2012
Sabah Society - Committee 2003 - 2004
Malaysia Ecotourism Association - Committee 2008 - 2010
Sabah Tourism Consultative Council STCC – Committee 2009 - 2011
Sabah Tourism Board - Marketing Committee 1996 - 2012
Sabah Cheshire Home - Committee 2007 - 2011
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS  
Organising Chairman - World Ecotourism Conference & Field Seminars 1999
Organising Chairman - Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference 2002
Organising Chairman - Borneo Ecotourism Conference 2005
Organising Chairman - Borneo Tourism Conference 2007
Finalist Judging committee - Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, World Tourism and Travel Council 2005/ 06/ 07/ 08/ 09/ 10
Organising Chairman - East Asia and Pacific Regional Council of Cheshire Homes 10th Biennial General Meeting 2010
BOOKS AND VIDEOS PUBLISHED  
1. Sabah - land of the Sacred Mountain 1988
2. Exotic Islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park 1989
3. Sabah-land of the Sacred Mountain (video) 1990
4. A Guide to Sandakan 1990
5. A Guide to Brunei Darussalem 1992
6. Journey through Sabah (video) 1993
7. Journey through Borneo 1994
8. Images of Borneo 1996
9. Saving Paradise 2005
10. A Souvenir of Sabah Malaysian Borneo 2008
PAPERS 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 Studies 22nd 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 Cairns. 12th 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 Studies 3-4th May 2000
4. Workshop on Green Productivity and Ecotourism: The Sukau Rainforest Lodge experience organized by Asian Productivity Organisation, Japan in Bali on 26-30th June 2000
5. Managing Ecolodge in an ecologically sensitive area, Asia Pacific Regional Ecotourism Conference, 15-17th April, 2002, Sheraton Fiji Resort, Nadi, Fiji
6. Current and Future Challenges in Ecotourism, Issues and Implications for Sabah, Seminar on Global Economic Outlook and Challenges, Institute for Development Studies Sabah, 13th June 2002, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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, 15-18 July 2002,Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
8. Sustainable Nature Based Tourism in South-East Asia, Sukau Rainforest Lodge:A Case Study, 20-21st March 2003, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
9. Global Ecotourism Outlook and Challenges, 27th October 2003, Transworld Institute of Technology, Douliu City, Republic of China
10. Managing An Ecolodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge: A case study, 27th October 2003, Transworld Institute of Technology, Douliu City, Republic of China
11. Cultural Tourism in Malaysia, A sustainable option, 28th August 2004, Univesity Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
12. Marketing Strategy of Ecotourism, Ecotourism in Taiwan: From saying to doing , 25 – 27 October 2004, Taiwan, Republic of China
13. Practical Marketing Strategy of Ecotourism in Malaysia, (The Story of Borneo Eco Tours), Ecotourism in Taiwan: From saying to doing 25 – 27 October 2004, Taiwan, Republic of China
14. Managing An Ecolodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge: A case study, 28TH OCTOBER 2004, FENG CHIA UNIVERSITY, SEATWEN, TAICHUNG, TAIWAN, R.O.C
15. Sabah Tourism Attractions, 28th July, 2005, Sabah Theological Seminary, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
16. Best Practice Eco and Wildlife Tourism: The Case of Borneo, Global Eco and Wildlife Tourism Seminar, 16th September 2005, Monkey Mia, Australia
17. Best Practice Eco Accomodations: The case of Sukau Rainforest Lodge, 16th September, 2005, Monkey Mia, Australia
18. The First International Ecotourism Business Forum, September 29 to October 1, 2005, Pontianak, Indonesia
19. Sukau Rainforest Lodge: The Challenges of Developing Wildlife Tourism, 2nd National Wildlife Tourism Conference,13 – 15 August 2006, Fremantle, Western Australia
20. Operating and Managing Sukau Rainforest Lodge: Issues and challenges,Tourism Workshop : Wanita UMNO Sabah, 12th September 2006, Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
21. Creating, building, maintaining ecotourism facilities, 4th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference APeco2006. 2-5th November 2006, Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia
22. Success stories in Ecotourism Business: Case Studies in Malaysian Borneo, 2nd International Ecotourism and Business Forum, 11-14th November, Joyakarta, Indonesia
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. 13-14th March 2007, Sutera Habour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
24. Business Opportunities in Ecotourism, Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (SWEPA), 27-28th July 2007, Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
25. Borneo Ecotourism: Working with the Communities and Environment., 1st May 2008, Forum for Advocating Culture and Ecotourism FACET, Perth, Australia
26. Borneo Ecotourism: Working with the Communities and Environment., 2nd May 2008, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
27. Developing Sabah's Tourism Products and Brand, Creating a Blue Ocean Strategy : Developing Ecotourism as a Competitive Advantage, 27th September 2008, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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, 30 October – 1 November 2008, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
29. Malaysia Tourism Symposium 15th Jan 2009, New Challenges and Directions- Trends affecting ecotourism in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
30. 2nd Annual Environment Conference - The Malaysian Ecotourism Industry: Creating value with the gifts of Nature, Kuala Lumpur, 24th-25th February 2009
31. World Ecotourism Conference: Public-Private Partnership: The Private sector Perspective, Vientiane, Laos, 14-17th 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, Indonesia. 30th Nov – 2nd December 2009
33. Sarawak Tourism Players Capacity Building Workshop: Exploring New Frontiers, Managing Challenges: Synergizing the role of the private and public sector.15- 17 th December 2009 , Kuching, Sarawak , Malaysia .
34. 2nd Global Geotourism Conference: Geotourism Attractions of Sabah. 17-20th April 2010, Mulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
35. Training Course on Integrated Waste management at Resorts, Hotels and Restaurants: 'A Successful Example in Ecotourism' and 'Marketing Strategies of Green Tourism', 21-25 June 2010, Nadi, Fiji.
36. Terengganu Eco & Marine Tourism Conference (TEMCO): 'Integrating Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development through Ecotourism: The Borneo Eco Tours Story', 1st November 2010, Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia.
37. ASEAN-Japan Centre & Sabah Tourism Board: 'Seminar on Sustainable Development of Tourism Destination: Borneo Eco Tours', 18th February 2011, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
38. Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference ESTC, Driving Change in Global Tourism: "From Profitable Businesses to Community Projects". 19-21 September 2011, Hilton Head Island, SC, USA.
39. Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Business Forum: Innovative Solutions Today for Sustainable Resources Tomorrow- "Ecotourism, Environment and Communities". Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 9-11 October 2011
40. Driving Change in Global Tourism: 'From Profitable Business to Community Projects'. 7 November 2011, Destination New South Wales, Australia Martin Place, Sydney, Australia.
41. ASEAN and OCEANIA Tourism Forum: Ecotourism in the Asia Pacific Region: 'The Story of Borneo Eco Tours/ Sukau Rainforest Lodge/BEST Society', 7-10 November 2011, Sydney, Australia.
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, 21 November 2011, Kuala Lumpur.
43. Secrets of Sabah, Orion Expedition Cruises, 30th January, 2012
44. Saving Paradise, Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, Orion Expedition Cruises, 3rd February, 2012
45. From Charity to Social Entrepreneurship, BEST Society, Orion Expedition Cruises, 5th February 2012
46. Ecotourism in Asia: The Story of Borneo Eco Tours/Sukau Rainforest Lodge, FACET, Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley Campus, Perth, Australia. 23rd August 2012
47. Driving Change in Global Tourism: From Profitable business to community projects, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia, 24th August 2012
48. Ecotourism Best Practices: Case studies from Borneo, Forum Advocating Culture and Ecotourism Conference FACET, Broome, Australia. 28th August 2012.
49. International Conference on Heart of Borneo +5 and Beyond: Shaping and Nurturing Sabah's Future Together, Facilitator on Tourism, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. 6-7th November 2012
50. Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference 2012, Penang, Malaysia. Back to mother nature; Challenges of Ecotourism, Panelist, 28-30th November 2012.
51. Iskandar Malaysia National Ecotourism Summit, Johore Bahru, Malaysia. Value Creation in Ecotourism: From Principles to Practice. 16-18th December 2012.