4
ECOCLUB, Issue 90
ECOCLUB: A most successful eco-entrepreneur, you have rightfully ventured into the consultancy field. Does this create
any ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest? For example, what would you say to clients requesting advice for Golf & luxury
tourism developments in Malaysia? Would you try to direct them towards Ecotourism, or do you see merits in those type of
developments as well?
Albert Teo: Ecotourism may not be feasible in all areas. It all depends on the resources available in the area concerned. For any
business to be sustainable in the long term, we have to look at the triple bottom line, social, environmental and economic and all
developments should include three areas concerned. This is very challenging naturally as will become more so as pristine
resources become more scarce. There may be a place for golf and luxury lodges then depending on the marketing segments we
want to tap and the USP of the area.
ECOCLUB: You have great experience in organising and hosting Ecotourism Conferences. Beyond the topic, what is needed
to make such conferences truly "Eco"? And how satisfied are you with the amount and level of discourse about Ecotourism at
the global level today?
Albert Teo: I am tempted to suggest that we should do more local conferences and less international conference so as to
minimize the need to fly long distances. I have attended a few conferences where some delegates come for two days half way
round the world. We may be able to afford to fly but the cost to the environment has not been taken into account. I have taken
this step by focusing now on just organising a regional/local conference to minimise the need to travel long distance.
For those in the know, there is an increasing number of organisations producing ecotourism and sustainable tourism newsletter.
The level of consciousness is growing and is picking up in momentum with the growing interest in global warming and global
warning through the increasing frequency in natural calamities.
ECOCLUB: How satisfied are you with the public sector's approach in terms of physical and legal infrastructure, and
appropriate funding in Malaysia. Did such state assistance play any significant role in your business?
Albert Teo: While I learned to live with and adjust my expectation, it is natural for any private entrepreneur to move faster than
what is possible. The bigger the project, the longer is the decision-making process and implementation process and the
government is no exception.
Unfortunately, this does result in implementation of policies which though they have good intention come too late. Though we
have our hiccups, Malaysia has done pretty well with five year plans and the government has been pro-active in many instances
too including providing loans with lower interest and tax free holidays have been granted to investors and tourism companies.
ECOCLUB: If you could name just one ingredient of the recipe for a successful Ecolodge, what would it be?
Albert Teo: Keep improving and don’t quit.
ECOCLUB: How easy and how important have you found cooperation with NGOs in the course of conducting your
ecotourism business? Do you feel that dividing lines between "for-profits" and "non-profits" are perhaps becoming more
difficult to detect in the ecotourism world, and would that be a good or a bad thing?
Albert Teo: We enjoy working with many NGOs. The disadvantage NGOs have over us is that they have a time line and strict
agenda and this lack of continuity is often a cause for disillusionment for the local community whose hopes have been raised
high only to be abandoned when the project or funds runs out. Capacity building does take at least ten years to bear fruit and it is
therefore vital NGOs work with organisations that have long term presence in the local area to ensure momentum is not lost and
earlier investment is not wasted.
ECOCLUB: Is there anything else you would like to say to our Members and readers, or perhaps about your future plans?
Albert Teo: I have made a lot of mistakes in the past and still continue to learn. I want to make the best of my knowledge and
time by looking for strategic partners and by sharing my knowledge. I am hoping to put all these together by creating a new
model ecolodge as best I can with partners and specialists as a legacy for the future generations.
ECOCLUB: Thank you very much
