Sustainable Travel to Malaysia
Malaysia is a fascinating melting pot of civilizations in Southeast Asia. You can see bustling cities, historical buildings, relax on some of the world’s most stunning beaches, and hike through lush green jungles all in the same nation. The vast equatorial rainforests cover practically the entire area.
Malaysia also consists of some other islands. It has 878 islands, and Borneo island is popular among travelers. Borneo is home to half of the world’s plant and animal species. As well as secluded jungle beauty, tropical adventure, and indigenous cultures. There’s no doubt that a vacation to Malaysia and its islands is popular for ecotours!
About Ecotourism in Malaysia
Malaysia is home to ancient jungles, critically endangered primates, and a plethora of rare wildlife. Within 130-million-year-old rainforests, over 15,000 species of plants, flora, and fauna thrive. The protected jungles are home to nearly extinct Sumatran rhinos and critically endangered orangutans. It’s always beautiful when you travel to Malaysia. There’s no doubt that Malaysia is a refuge for ecotourists.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks manages 25 terrestrial national and state parks (plus another 40 marine parks) throughout Malaysia. Malaysia is also home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In 1995, the government approved the National Ecotourism Master Plan. The national ecotourism strategy was created to give the government a general framework for Malaysia’s ecotourism and protect the untouched natural places. While conserving the environment and ensuring the well-being of local people. As a result, many Malaysian tourism attractions have been designated as terrestrial or marine protected areas, including forest reserves, wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, wetlands, and marine parks. So, it’s never boring during your vacation in Malaysia.
Malaysia Ecotour Initiatives
The Malaysian Homestay program is excellent for rural ecotourism and helps communities improve their income and quality of life. This initiative engages with the industry players, NGOs, and Community-Based Tourism (CBT).
The Malaysian Homestay program allows travelers to live with a local family, see socio-cultural, artistic customs, sample delectable home-cooked cuisine, and learn about basic living in the countryside. More than 370,000 tourists took part in the homestay program in 2014, bringing approximately $7.1 million to the rural economy.
Another is the ROAR (Restore Our Amazing Rainforest) program, which is a Borneo restoration project. When you visit Malaysia, participate in this program. Each sapling travelers purchase contributes to the creation and connectivity of key forest corridors. Which benefits animals and local communities for many years to come. With the ROAR project, travelers can give back to the Malaysian environment while also reducing their carbon footprint!
Unique Ecotours in Malaysia
When visiting Malaysia, try an Ecoteer ecotour. Ecoteer is a volunteer-based tourism organization in Malaysia that also provides support to local NGOs. Ecoteer provides unique ecotours while allowing travelers to experience and protect nature at the same time through restorative ecotourism.
There are three Ecoteer conservation programs: sea turtle protection, marine reef research and data collection, and local community wellness and teaching project. For example, The Perhentian Marine Research Station (PMRS) is a modest study station that focuses on marine research and conservation on a practical level. This implies PMRS may accommodate a diverse group of volunteers who will be trained in marine animal identification and underwater survey techniques before collecting data.
There are other programs to participate in and specialize in. The good thing is that travelers who volunteer can live there long-term and participate in community initiatives. They also go on jungle hikes to evaluate the mammals that live in the forest and keeps track of illegal poaching in the area.
A trip to Malaysia is a nature-filled fairytale. So, don’t forget to pack your bags and take tourism to the next level. Have a safe trip to Malaysia!
Would you like to know more about eco-friendly travel?
To receive inspiration direct to your email inbox, please click here and subscribe to the Ecotourism World newsletter!
