Sustainable Travel and Ecotourism in Malaysia

Beautiful tea fields in Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is the place to watch stunning tea fields. Boh Tea Plantation is the biggest in the country and the views over there are to die for. Enjoy a cup of tea and a freshly baked scone at the plantation restaurant, while enjoying magnificent panoramas.

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Crystal clear water at Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island is one of Malaysia's best kept secrets. Actually consisting of two small islands, both offer similar accommodation and both are surrounded by crystal clear sea water, with perfect scuba diving and snorkeling conditions. Go enjoy island life to the fullest!

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Perfect beach holiday at Langkawi Island

Langkawi Island has everything you need for the ultimate beach holiday. White powdery beaches, a wide range of hotels and resorts, delicious food and a huge amount of sights and attractions. You can easily spend a whole week and still long for more.

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Jungle adventures at Taman Negara

Taman Negara is one of the oldest primary rainforests in the world and due to its close proximity to Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, travelers can reach this pristine jungle fairly easily. Highlights consists of jungle hikes, a canopy walk, night safari's and river cruises.

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Boat exploration at Lake Kenyir

Lake Kenyir the biggest man made lake system in Malaysia. Over the years it has evolved into a unique ecosystem with many sights and even a chance to spot wildlife like monkeys, elephants, hornbills and much more. Some even spotted the elusive black panther along the shores.

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Malaysia is a top tourist destination for many reasons, including breath taking landscapes, vibrant metropolises, engaging history and culture, fantastic food, and some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. Recently, however, another aspect of Malaysia is gaining popularity, which goes far beyond the conventional tourism attractions. Many people are also being drawn to Malaysia by a tug on their heart-strings in regards to its abundance of unique wildlife and its species preservation efforts.

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Instead of an escapist kind of vacation where your biggest concerns might be whether you should wear SPF30 or SPF50, or wondering whether your watch is waterproof after realizing that you are still wearing it having already been in the sea for an hour, these preservationist tourists are concerned with other matters. This increasing group of active and motivated tourists are set on vacationing with a purpose and getting involved.

Tourist Conservation Projects

There are actually various projects that tourists can get join while traveling in Malaysia, including Sun Bear, Elephant and Orangutan Sanctuaries, as well as other conservation efforts in Borneo. There are also Tiger conservation programs in Merapoh and Taman Negara, and the Green Sea Turtle protection program on the coast of the Perhentian Islands.

Malaysia is home to four species of marine turtles, which include Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill, and Olive Ridley turtles, and the Perhentian Islands host 4 of the key nesting sites for its Green Sea turtles. Although all marine mammals and turtles are protected in Malaysia under the Malaysian Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, these turtle species are still in great danger due to environmental factors. The destruction of their natural habitats, food sources and nesting sites, as well as illegal activities like harvesting, hunting and poaching, pose very significant threats. Vacation volunteers help in the form of aiding scientific research, helping to prevent poaching opportunities, observing the endangered species, and participating in sustainability awareness efforts.

Because its diverse and beautiful animal life is inextricably linked with the country’s culture and heritage, Malaysia has implemented “a much more developed legal framework for the protection of the environment than many of its neighbors,” and “takes its conservation laws very seriously.” In fact, the majority of national income is generated through ecotourism and vacation volunteerism, and Malaysia actually refuses to outright commercialize on ecotourism in order to balance tourism effects on the environment. Getting involved in a sustainable travel volunteer trip is an excellent way to see all of the beautiful ecotourism drawing factors, while also ensuring that tourism is beneficial as opposed to harmful to these attractions.

So, if you are interested in a beautiful get-away that also offers excitement, adventure and wonder; Malaysia is the ideal location. And when planning your Malaysian adventures, amidst the tanning on the beach, wandering through caves, and trekking through the jungle, consider getting involved in a conservation project. Not only will it be a travel experience that will be meaningful to you, but will also make a difference to the animals and people who make this beautiful destination so extraordinary.