As I mentioned in my previous piece, Community Based Tourism: What’s in a Name?, I first became aware of the concept in the early 1990s when I was introduced to the Ulu Ai Longhouse experience in Sarawak, East Malaysia. It was one of the first tours, in the depths of the Borneo Rainforest, which we promoted.

There were other longhouse tours around, the best known being on the Skrang River, but, to my knowledge, none were as sensitive to the cultural and natural environment as this one.

The initiative was the brain-child of the two owners of the Kuching-based operator Borneo Adventure, Philip Yong and Robert Basiuk. It has been described by Robert, as “one example of a new generation of tourism products promoting the intricate relationship between the rainforest and its dwellers.”

The project started back in 1986 and by 1999 twenty six families “received over RM 300,000 ($82,000) in tourism-related pay. In addition to the wages earned as guides, boat drivers and cooks, as well as rental for the guesthouse, the village people also earn money selling traditional handicrafts such as woven blankets ($10,000 in 1999). This income has also allowed the village to break out of the subsistence agriculture cycle and diversify their economy to include more efficient cash crops. The reduced demand for expansion onto new land means that less forest is cut, ultimately providing more habitat for wildlife.”

Philip Yong, the company’s managing director, told me recently that the project continues to perform well although they have put a cap on the annual number of visitors. I almost typed the word ‘naturally’ in that sentence but of course not all companies would be as sensitive: some would milk the project for as much as they possibly could. I hate being cynical but that is the reality.

In an interview published on Wild Asia (a Malaysia-based conservation group which promotes responsible tourism) Philip states that “If I want to make money I could sell this product to another company and cash out….. But this is good for the soul…”

In this same interview Philip explains frankly that community based tourism (CBT) is not without its challenges and he is keen to point out that, although an award-winning initiative, it should not be viewed as a model.

I wonder if there is or could be a model for community based tourism. “There’s no one solution-fit-all, but a set of criteria. You need to have a cohesive community with a strong leadership, and you need people who are committed and who get things done,” says Yong. Now that of course is true of any community project and, although my experience with ‘communities’ is limited, my guess is it is difficult to find these key attributes in one place. Thus I doubt that a model could ever exist.

I do believe that, while not a panacea, CBT does have scope for alleviating poverty in remote communities. If you have any experience of such projects or know of a ‘model’ I am keen to hear from you, please contact me.

All images courtesy of Borneo Adventure.

And if that were not bad enough, the number of open fires is increasing thereby contributing to a worsening ‘Haze’. Reportedly four areas in Sarawak – Bintulu, Miri, Samarahan, Sibu – recorded unhealthy API readings of between 110 and 153 while Port Klang on Peninsula Malaysia became the first area there with an unhealthy 113 reading.

My contact in Kuching, the State capital of Sarawak, tells me that at the moment the situation there is bearable.

With this situation potentially lasting through until September or October the region needs rain urgently.

As I mentioned in The Haze Threat Returns To South East Asia last month the problem is mostly caused by the slash-and-burn preparation of land in Sumatra and Kalimantan. At least it is good to read that Indonesia is cooperating with Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to protect Kalimantan (Borneo) through their ‘Heart of Borneo (HOB)‘ programme.

Read Air quality deteriorates over Malaysia

Tanjung Rhu

Tanjung Rhu on the Malaysian Island of Langkawi is, in my opinion, one of the best beach locations throughout South East Asia.

The long, white-sand beach looks onto limestone karsts rising from the sea and the adjacent river is bordered by mangrove forest. The area is a blissful oasis of solitude and a delicious slice of nature.

Situated within these 1100 acres of lush tropical greenery is the Tanjung Rhu Resort. My family and I had a great 3-day stay there (disclosure: the room was hosted by the resort) a few years back and really enjoyed the beauty of the place. Not to mention the huge room that would be a suite in most other hotels. The smallest rooms are around 50 sq metres compared to the 30/32 sq m that you would normally find as the standard.

I am a big fan and so, although not surprised, I felt more than a twinge of consternation when I read, in The New Straits Times, that a memorandum of understanding was recently signed between Coco International Ltd and AUF Properties Sdn Bhd to develop a 20 acre residential-cum-commercial centre along this beautiful stretch of Langkawi’s northern coastline.

I am not against development per se. I think it would be hypocritical if I were: I enjoy staying in comfortable hotels in stunning locations and as a travel professional, I made a living from sending other people to such places.

What for me is important is how that development is handled. Today, there is every reason why a development should be both responsible and sustainable. Fortunately, according to the Master Plan for Tanjung Rhu (N.B. the file is 3MB and might be slow to download) that is the approach the consortium responsible for this development is taking. They claim to be committed to retaining the four main ecological systems which are the key features that make the area so special: the forest, mangrove, the freshwater and the marine system.

Tanjung Rhu Resort

Given the increasing awareness of today’s ‘green’ traveller any developer that ignores these issues would risk creating a White Elephant. I doubt this consortium will make that mistake. There are too many examples in the region where over-development has diminished the intrinsic value of the destination.

I do not yet know when the development is scheduled to start but when it does there will be a big challenge for the Tanjung Rhu Resort to manage the disturbance to guests during the building phase. I shall endeavour to keep an eye on the project and provide reports as and when I have more information.

In the meantime if you know the Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi and would like to submit a review of it I would be pleased to hear from you: tony at hookedonasia dot org.

The Singapore Flyer by Cheeweng

From 01 July 2009 another no-frills airline will be flying between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Firefly, Malaysia Airline’s budget carrier, will be joining rivals AirAsia, Jetstar and Tiger Airways on this traditionally lucrative route. It will start with 3 flights daily and move up to 4 on 12 July.

The recent liberation of air services between Malaysia and Singapore means that competition is really hotting up: good news for the consumer. Firefly has an introductory price of RM88 one way, which is around £15. (Currency Converter)

The airline arguably has the edge on its rivals because it flies from the ‘old’ airport at Subang, which is around half the distance from the city as Sepang.

Later on in July the airline will also be flying between Singapore and the Malaysian cities of Ipoh, to the north of KL, and to both Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan on the east coast. This will open up the opportunities for more Singapore beach combos. The weather will still be good on the eastern seaboard until around September when the rainy season kicks in.

Photo source: Cheeweng

Announcing the latest promotion, the Malaysia Airlines Stimulus package, yesterday, Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, the airline’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is the best time for the public to travel as such incredible offers are given only during a downturn! Customers are the ones to truly benefit during this time as we are looking for innovative ways to boost load factors and revenue.”

The stimulus package has been aimed at all sectors of the market with 9 strands to the promotion:

First and Business Class

1. Premium Match

Malaysia Airlines will match the price of one’s previous travel on another airline for flights above 3 hours.

This applies for First and Business Class travel.

Asean and International travel

2. Business Companion

50% discount is offered for your companion’s business class travel.

Domestic, Asean and International travel

Economy Class

3. Economy +

Pay economy class fares but enjoy business class travel privileges including access to the lounges and accrual of Enrich miles.

Domestic, Asean and International travel

4. Balik Kampung

Enjoy all inclusive RM69 fares for travel within the Peninsular & within East Malaysia

RM99 for travel between East and West Malaysia

Domestic only

5. Weekend Getaway

Special fares for long weekend travel

ASEAN only

6. Kids Fly Free

For every 2 adult economy class tickets purchased, a child below 12 years old travels for free

Domestic and Asean travel

7. MHFlex, 1+1

Purchase 1 economy class ticket, and your companion gets a free ticket on flights operated by Malaysia Airlines

Domestic and Asean travel

8. 80% discounts off domestic & ASEAN

Enjoy low fares when you book online

Domestic and Asean travel

9. Grab-A- Deal

Special fares for selected destinations are available online from time to time

Domestic, Asean and International travel

For further information visit malaysiaairlines.com

I think there is chance there are so many offers around at the moment that the consumer is spoilt for choice. I can see also the temptation to hold on just in case a better offer comes along. If you are flexible and do not mind whether you travel or not then that is a reasonable stance. However, if you are set on visiting Asia sometime this year I recommend finding a fare at a level and at a time you are comfortable with and book it. Then don’t think about looking again and get on with booking and anticipating the rest of the vacation.

I cannot really see how anyone can fail to be happy with their Asia vacation purchase at the moment because the travelling public surely has never had it so good.

In his coronation address on 07 November 2008, The 5^th King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, popularly known as King Khesar, reconfirmed his commitment to the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH). According to King Khesar, a GNH society means “the creation of an enlightened society in which happiness and well-being of all people and sentient beings is the ultimate purpose of governance”.

I would say that given the Global Financial Crisis that concept has a lot of appeal. I suspect that had we all been pursuing happiness (as measured by psychological well being) we would not be in the mess we currently find ourselves.

Most of us, I believe, can agree that happiness is a state of mind. In theory we just have to think happy to be happy.

If I extend that idea to the notion of vacations then I could easily argue that the stay-at-home vacation, so-called staycation (yuk), is the new black. Indeed for many, through force of circumstance, it is. In my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with that because there is much to be discovered almost literally on our own doorsteps. However, in a blog about vacations in Asia obviously I cannot stop there.

For those in the fortunate position of realistically contemplating a vacation in Asia, I would guess that among the things drawing you back are the feeling of well-being and a sense of spirituality, which seems to pervade the region. Yes, in theory, you can capture that same feeling in your own home, but it’s those familiar sights, sounds, tastes and smells which for me cannot be replicated.

As I write I am transported to Georgetown in Penang, Malaysia. I am seated at a table, on the pavement at a corner of a busy intersection. Droplets of water roll down my bottle of coke and form small puddles on the metal table top. The smell of cooking wafts from inside the restaurant carried in puffs of smoke from the fire that roars beneath a wok seasoned by years of use. Motorcyclists toot and jostle for space on the thin ribbons of concrete that cut between ancient Chinese shophouses. A trishaw driver briskly accelerates, calf muscles bulging, in a hopeless struggle to recapture the streets that were once his.

I know I am lucky to have such memories and although, to a degree, this goes against the concept of GNH: I want more. Vacations for me are in the mind but my body needs to be in situ to truly enjoy them.

If during these difficult times that means economising along the way then so be it. Dropping a hotel grade is probably the easiest way of reducing costs and while those extra in-house restaurants, 24-hour room service and branded toiletries in the bathroom are nice to have they are, generally, not a vacation breaker. For me the hotel just needs to be clean and close enough to the sites and local facilities: I can take care of the rest.

A vacation in Asia is a luxury but it can still be affordable. We just have to decide what are the true essentials of our vacation, budget wisely and imagine how grumpy we would be if we didn’t go.