ISSN 1108-8931

INTERNATIONAL ECOTOURISM MONTHLY™

Year 6 - Issue 72

Sponsored by: Zante Feast Discovery Holidays, Purple Valley Yoga Centre, Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, Jorth Consult Limited, Pacuare Lodge, Ecolife 2005 Fair

Saving Paradise: The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Authors: Albert Teo & Carol Patterson
Publisher: Sabah Handicraft Centre, Sabah, Malaysia, June 2005. Soft-back cover, 120p

The greatest recommendation for this book is its two authors:

Albert Teo is a most prominent figure in Malaysia's tourism industry and on the international ecotourism movement, and is the creator of Sukau Rainforest Lodge. He also owns well-known Borneo Eco Tours and holds directorship in several large hotel companies. Teo is a keen nature photographer who has covered over 1000km whilst jungle trekking in the wilds of Borneo. Sukau Rainforest Lodge won the Tourism for Tomorrow Award in 1999 (Best Ecolodge / Pacific Region) and is also a new ECOCLUB Ecolodge Member.

Carol Patterson is a leading ecotourism author and consultant, and head of Kalahari Management Inc. She is also the author of a quarterly newsletter, EcoTourism Management and serves on the board of Watchable Wildlife. Ms Patterson is also a Member of ECOCLUB.

The book, forwarded by the Minister of Tourism of Malaysia, is packed with colourful pictures of Borneo rare wildlife, such as the Proboscis monkey, of Sukau Lodge itself, of activities on offer, of locals & volunteers participating in various community projects.

Initially, there is a interesting description of Sabah's fauna & flora, and the existing problems with competing industries such as palm oil plantations. Appropriate reference is also made to the local community of the Orang Sungai, meaning River People. The Kinabatangan river, where the Lodge is also situated, is unique in supporting five distinct habitats, 10 species of primates, the pygmy elephant and over 260 bird species (Location, Location, Location).

The following chapters deal primarily with the Sukau Rainforest Lodge, following it from drawing board to world fame status. A brief history of the planning of the lodge is presented, with a SWOT analysis of its location, a detailed account of initial problems (and most importantly their solution) with the local community, construction and financing problems, tour planning and niche marketing issues, lack of manpower, and ongoing community & environment projects which include the Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development Centre which was also created and is funded by the Lodge.

The final chapter, lessons learned - some, the hard way - is the most valuable, for aspiring Ecolodge owners, at a bargain price. Although a promotion element is unavoidably present, it is not at all annoying as the book provides a very detailed and surprisingly candid - considering competitive constraints - analysis of how to create an Ecolodge, and combine eco principles with revenue generation. A very useful, inside guide on how to succeed in Ecotourism!

To order a copy of Saving Paradise: The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge, email the Author Carol Patterson or the publishers Sabah Handicraft Centre.

Members click here for more new publications & resources. Not a Member? join here

Note to Publishers/Authors: If you would like ECOCLUB to feature your ecotourism-related publication here please send us a copy by post (or if it is an electronic one)

Top

Home|Ecolodges|News|Shop|Community|Chat|Library|Events|Advertise|Join|Recommend

Copyright © 1999-2005 ECOCLUB S.A. All Rights Reserved.