Posted on February, 26 2018

By: Cristina Eghenter
Deputy Director for Governance and Social Development

Borneo has for centuries fascinated Western travellers. To this day, visitors in increasing numbers are coming to the island in search of its magical nature and culture.
 
There is no doubt that tourism will continue to grow and be one of the leading world industries. The ‘green’ aspect of the industry will also continue as a trend and more customers will expect the industry to become environmentally accountable and benefit local communities, although these concerns might not replace the top priorities on the mind of a tourist: comfort, safety and quality of experience.
 
The Heart of Borneo (HoB) offers a unique place to develop and support a world-class, innovative, trans-border, green destination for ecotourism in South East Asia, with integrated packages linking Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Sarawak. Heart of Borneo hints at the possibility of a romance of a lifetime that tourists can experience in Borneo with endless trekking and bird-watching possibilities in the forests, river and lake adventures, enchanting views, cultural traditions and local cuisine, the pure and evocative sound of indigenous musical instruments.
 
Ecotourism was identified as one of the pillars of the Trilateral HoB Initiative. In April 2017, Indonesia established a Task Force to advice on the development of a roadmap. Green ecotourism in the Heart of Borneo can be an opportunity for good investment to help nature, communities and the regional economy.
 
At the last HoB Trilateral meeting, on October 11, 2017, the three countries of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia launched, Visit the Heart of Borneo, a multi-year campaign to promote the HoB as ONE Ecotourism destination.
 
The rich biodiversity of Borneo is only paralleled by the cultural diversity of the many communities and ethnic groups from Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. Keeping traditions alive in everyday life is what many communities in the Heart of Borneo do with Harvest Festivals and cultural and musical events like IRAU/ERAU.
 
The three countries agreed to use the Visit the Heart of Borneo logo to strengthen and integrate marketing and branding for new exciting tourism offers in Borneo. The multi-year campaign Visit the Heart of Borneo can open the way to investment in green ecotourism and help broker strategic networks and partnerships among all key players, tour operators, Indigenous and local communities, governments, and donors, to ensure sustainability and prosperity for all in HoB.

Enjoy watching the video here.