A SUCCESSFUL tourism and hospitality industry is a powerful tool that can spur economic growth and increase revenue for a country.
Balancing the growth with sustainability and protecting the environment are the other parts of it, as nations look for more means to capitalise on their God-given gifts of nature.
The race for both is often seen as conflicting goals because the pursuit comes at the cost of environmental degradation, resource depletion and climate change.
Malaysia Carbon Market Association president Renard Siew says in Malaysia, there has been a growing recognition that the natural environment is not just a backdrop for tourism, but also a key asset that requires much protection.
He says the local government has made strides through various initiatives like promoting ecotourism, marine park protection and community-based projects.
“Sustainable resorts, low-impact nature trails and coral reef restoration efforts are an encouraging sign that Malaysia understands the value of preserving its natural capital while still benefiting from tourism’s economic contributions,” he says.
Siew: Sustainable resorts, low-impact nature trails and coral reef restoration efforts are an encouraging sign.Siew explains that sustainable tourism does not only encapsulate the idea of doing good, but it is fast becoming good for businesses.
A good example would be the use of high-quality carbon offsets, the promotion of renewable energy in hotels and eco-certifications.
Renewable energy can lower long-term operational costs, while carbon offsets and eco-lodges can command premium pricing from environmentally conscious tourists.
These, he says, are not only environmental gestures but also market differentiators.
“Travellers are more discerning, seeking out eco-friendly options and rewarding operators who demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainability.
“The challenge lies in the initial capital investment, but the long-term returns both financially and reputationally are increasingly hard to ignore,” Siew adds.
A standout example according to him is the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative, which aims to conserve one of the largest remaining expanses of tropical rainforest in the world, involving Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
The HoB covers over 220,000 sq km of ecologically rich forest, supporting endangered species like the Bornean orangutan and the pygmy elephant.
How is it managed well?
Siew says minimising environmental impact while providing economic benefits to local communities are vital aspects of tourism.
So, offerings like guided rainforest treks and wildlife observation tours are made available for tourists because they could also contribute to the livelihood of the people. “The HoB showcases how tourism, when thoughtfully managed, can serve as both a conservation tool and an economic driver,” he says.
If we were to compare Malaysia with the rest of the region, where do we stand?
Amlir: the economic aspect is not the aim but merely a tool to guarantee social well-being, not sacrifice it.EkoKnights president Amlir Ayat says the awareness on this aspect in Malaysia is rising, albeit quite slowly due to a lack of deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable tourism.
He says the act of balancing both goals stresses on the need to design and mould it towards the well-being of the present and future generations.
“The economic aspect is not the aim but merely a tool to guarantee social well-being, not sacrifice it. In many examples, developments in tourism are losing the social and environmental assets on which they depend on due to the overemphasis on economic profits,” Amlir says.
For the rest of the region, Amlir states that Thailand and Indonesia seem to be on the right path due to their intensive work on sustainable tourism education.
While Malaysia may have a little more to learn, it is on the right track, he says.
“Malaysia has some good showcases. For example, the ecotourism activities in Danum Valley with a good amount of focus on ecotourism.
“This is assumed to be the outcome of well-planned and executed holistic planning and education which emphasises grassroot or target community participation at every level of the project,” he adds.
Siew agrees, saying Thailand has pioneered marine tourism restrictions, closing parts of islands like Maya Bay to allow for ecological recovery.
Indonesia has introduced a tourist levy, particularly for Bali whereby each tourist pays around US$10 to fund conservation and cultural preservation projects.
“The Philippines’ temporary closure and rehabilitation of Boracay is a bold example of how governments can take decisive action when tourism threatens environmental balance,” Siew says.
Manoharan: Projects like homestays and local guide programmes will involve the local population in the tourism value chain.Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia says its national tourism policy 2020-2030 serves as a framework for the transformation of the industry.
Director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy says some of the strategies used to grow tourism while minimising ecological harm include encouraging visitors to explore Malaysia’s natural landscapes like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves with strict sustainability guidelines.
The agency has engaged local communities and trained residents in sustainable practices.
“Projects like homestays and local guide programmes will involve the local population in the tourism value chain to provide economic benefits and enrich tourist experiences via authentic cultural interactions,” he says.
Additionally, the national ecotourism plan supports green tourism businesses by offering incentives for eco-friendly practices.
“There are conservation fees, designated protected zones, an environmental, social and governance standard for hotels as well as homestay experiences that allow tourists to engage with the local communities,” he adds.
