Responsible Tourism

Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Initiative

  • Who Are We
    • About Responsible Tourism Initiative
    • Our Team
    • About Wild Asia
    • Get Involved
  • What We Do
    • Research & consultancy
    • Sustainability services for businesses
    • Portfolio
      • RT Events at ITB Asia
  • Awards
    • Responsible Tourism Awards
    • Ten Years | Transformational Tourism
    • Past Award Winners & Finalists
  • Resources
    • Responsible Tourism Map
    • Videos
  • Contact Us

Gaya Island – Winner, Nature & Wildlife

WINNER – 2015 Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards, Best in Protection of Natural Areas & Wildlife Conservation 

Tucked along the coast of Malohom Bay, Gaya Island Resort offers guests a seamless integration of luxury and the natural world. Offering a set of “PURE Activities” guests can interact with the surrounding rare species of flora and fauna, facilitated by the resort’s resident naturalist. In addition to their environmental programs for guests, Gaya Island Resort has started initiatives to educate local communities on protecting their beautiful home.

Gaya Island Resort believes tourism is a positive platform for wildlife education, as long as it’s conducted in a careful manner as to maintain a positive impact Many of Gaya Islands programs, such as guided nature hikes and snorkelling excursions are only offered to a limited number of participants to keep from overwhelming or damaging the surrounding environment. But that doesn’t mean guests can also get up close and personal with nature. Visitors can experience the resort’s mangrove conservation efforts through the Mangrove Kayak Tour. Along with a guide, guests explore the diverse mangrove ecosystem while learning about the resident flora and fauna.

Activities such as handicraft classes, a traditional dance show, and dining experiences draw inspiration from the diverse tribes found in Borneo and give guests a greater insight into the local culture. At turn-down, guests are given a beaded keychain from the Rungus community, one of the many ethnic groups in the area, along with an informational leaflet.

Not only are educational experiences offered to guests. Through the Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre (GIRMC), Gaya Island facilitates education programs in the area schools to teach students about the local sea turtle populations, coral, and the importance of keeping the ocean clean. In addition to their education initiative, GIRMC works closely with a leading turtle conservationist and is the first turtle rescue centre in Malaysia to  successfully rescue, rehabilitate, and release endangered sea turtles.

For more information about Gaya Island Resort, visit their website: http://www.gayaislandresort.com/

Watch their video here

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Google Plus Share
Share on Pinterest Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Share on Digg Share

Categories: Awards, News, Stories Tags: awards, conservation, Diving, ecotourism, wildlife, Winner

Posted on 08.09.15 by Reza Azmi

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

TwitterFacebookYoutube

Categories

  • Awards
  • Events
  • Highlights
  • News
  • Partners
  • Projects
  • Slides
  • Stories
  • Training
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • Call for speakers at Responsible Tourism Events at ITB Asia 2017
  • Presentations from Responsible Tourism Events at ITB Asia 2016
  • Responsible Tourism Events At ITB Asia 2016
  • Responsible Tourism Event Speakers 2016
  • Call for Speakers for Responsible Tourism Event at ITB Asia 2016

Archives

Tags

agri-tourism asia awards Bali benefit best practice Borneo Cambodia China Clinics community Community-based tourism conference conservation culture Diving ecotourism ethical tourism Finalist homestay india indonesia inspiring stories inspiring story islands ITB Asia ITB Asia 2013 laos Malaysia Nepal rainforest resource efficiency responsible tourism Responsible Tourism Events Slides Sri Lanka sustainable tourism talks Thailand tourism tour operators training Voluntourism wildlife Winner

Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Siem Reap, Phuket, Taipei, London.

Regional Teams for Local Solutions

  • HOME
  • ACADEMY
  • PALM
  • BUILD
  • TOURSIM

Wild Asia © 2014. Building Solutions since 2003. Sign in