KOTA KINABALU: Sukau, one of the State's attractions, has good potential for eco-tourism, said Professor Ross K. Dowling of Edith Cowan University (EDU), Australia.

When met on Monday after visiting Sukau, Dowling however pointed out that there are some good points and bad points to its potential.

"The good points is that you have a diverse wildlife and rainforest experience. Second it is very unaffected and is a genuine experience," he said.

"There is not too much built infrastructure there which is good (as) genuine eco-tourists don't seek that," he said and added that the lodges operated by the tour operators there are low keyed and small scaled which is good.

He rated the quality of experience out there in Sukau as 'good' and spoke highly of his guides at Borneo Eco's lodge.

Some of the guides were extremely good and would stand out anywhere in the world, he enthused.

Dowling, who is EDU's Foundation of Tourism, School of Marketing , Tourism and Leisure, was one of the key speakers at the Borneo Ecotourism Conference 2005 (BEC) that is being held here from April 12 to 13.

Touching on the negative points, he pointed out that Sabah has much potential in eco-tourism and the prospect is not only in Sukau as the State has other attractions such as Danum Valley and Maliau Basin .

"The downside of Sukau is that I saw lots and lots of boatloads of tourists going to the same spot (to see the proboscis monkeys) and this affects the caring capacity issue there," he said.

According to him, the environment might stand 100 people being in one spot and looking at the rainforest from the river as there is not much impact on the environment but the social caring capacity of the tourist won't tolerate that.

Genuine eco-tourists, he said, if they are having a wilderness experience, they want the perception that they are the only ones there.

"So where you've got for example like a river with lots of branches and everyone goes into one particular one, is stupid. It should be regulated and (though) it is still in the same rainforest you'll feel that you are the only ones there," Dowling added.

The second thing that caught his attention and disappointment was that he saw guides lounging in the boats with their feet up and worse, smoking.

"(Smoking is) Not acceptable anywhere in the world. That absolutely would never be tolerated if we were in a natural environment (and) the last thing they (eco-visiting tourists) want to see," he stressed.

"If (it is) local people smoking it is fine but if you are on an eco-tour, smoking is taboo it is against the environment," he said and pointed out that smoke belching engines used by some tour operators on the river cruise in Sukau is also a problem that needs to be addressed.

The operators use two-stroke engines instead of four-stroke engines and when revved up, emits blue smoke, he said.

Genuine eco-tourists who see such a thing would never ever go back there. They would not support it and they will tell other eco-tourists not to go there, he stressed.

Because of the crowding issues and the perceived lack of personal and professional respect for the environment given by the companies and the guides, they would not go back, Dowling said.

The competition is so tough in eco-tourism around the world that the company's service and product have to be at a very high level, he said.

Source : The Borneo Post 13th April 2005 

We take great pleasure in announcing Mr Teo's new and sixth book, "Saving Paradise" the story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge/Kinabatangan River to celebrate the ten years of its operations. This book will be launched on 13th April at the International Borneo Ecotourism Conference BEC2005 in Kota Kinabalu by the Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah YB Tan Sri Datuk Chong Kah Kiat. This 120 pages book with over 100 colour photographs co-authored by Albert Teo and Carol Patterson has received some great reviews from ecotourism experts. (See below)

To celebrate this auspicious occasion as well as the 10th anniversary of Sukau Rainforest Lodge, with effect from May 1, 2005, we will also be giving a complementary copy of the "Saving Paradise" book (retail price US$15.00) to all clients who take our tour to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. It is our commitment to ensure that your clients get the best service from our team of staff but also the information of the places they visit. In addition to the book "Saving Paradise" when they visit Sukau, our clients have also been receiving (and will continue to receive) complementary post cards and bookmarks published by Borneo Eco Tours on arrival.

Our Mission is to make Borneo Eco Tours a No.1 service provider through passion for excellence in our work by developing the leadership potential of our staff, commitment to integrity, good attitude, and concern for the community and environment.

Book Reviews on Saving Paradise by Albert Teo and Carol Patterson

In a very amiable, detailed and candid way, Albert and his co-author Carol Patterson take the reader through all the steps that were taken to make the Sukau Rainforest Lodge a vibrant and successful reality. As an international ecotourism consultant and ecolodge designer with experience in many countries around the world, I am happy to say that there was much that I learned from reading this highly enlightening book. Anybody seriously considering building and operating an ecolodge should read this very useful book.

Hector Ceballos-Lascurain,
International Ecotourism Consultant and Ecolodge Designer

Told directly and honestly, the story of Sukau is a must read for students, professors, and the tourism industry.
Kelly S. Bricker,
Rivers Fiji

The insights into the challenges of trying to maximize community benefit, limit environmental impacts and provide a high quality experience for visitors is masterfully told.
David Lough
Parks Canada

This is a fascinating story of how persistence and the willingness to work with communities can lead to a genuine ecotourism experience for people looking for something different.
Cathy Parsons
GREEN GLOBE 21

A must read for new prospective ecolodge owners regardless of where their operation may be in the world.
Frank Verschuren
Canadian Tourism Commission

This book is insightful and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Ron Mader
Planeta Founder

The book is a delightful look at the challenges that Albert Teo faced in making the Sukau Rainforest Lodge a reality, and it is a testament to his patience and commitment that his vision has become a source of inspiration, environmental education and sustainable community development.
Dave Butler,
Canadian Mountain Holidays Inc.

Once again Albert Teo has delivered an excellent book on the natural wonders of Borneo . Thanks to Albert's commitment to the natural environment and ecotourism, this book acts as a practical guide to ecolodge development.
Professor Ross K. Dowling
Edith Cowan University , Australia