Experience Malaysia, truly Asia, today with an

eco-friendly vacation.

Traveling to Malaysia

Take a flight from a “Green” airline such as Lufthansa or Virgin Atlantic. The International Air

Transport Association set a goal of creating zero-emissions airplanes within the next 50 years.

Lufthansa is cutting down its carbon dioxide emissions and has cut down 40% of its nitrogen

oxide levels from the year 2000.

Virgin Atlantic has been developing cleaner and more sustainable forms of fuel, and has flown its

Boeing 747-400 plane on 20% biofuel (a mixture of coconut oil and babassu oil) and 80%

conventional oil.

Arriving in Malaysia

Gayana eco-resort offers guests ferry transportation to the resort from

the airport ferry terminal.

Each ferry can hold up to 50 guests at a time, and trips take 15 minutes.

When traveling on mainland, guests also have the option of renting fuel

efficient cars from travel agencies.

Gayana Eco-Resort Green

Featurescoral reef protection and regeneration- Gayana collects broken coral fragments for replanting

and restores coral reef ecosystems by using electrolysis to ensure faster coral growth and

survival in poor water conditions. Gayana is also the first in Malaysia to use the Biorock Project

where sunken structures are planted that conduct electrolysis and facilitates coral to grow 6 times

faster.

mangrove protection- Mangroves line the coasts of both the peninsula and island portion of

Malaysia. The mangroves account for 2.5% of the world’s mangrove populations, and Gayana

resort takes extra measures to protect the native trees.

marine life protection and rehabilitation- Gayana also has a Marine Ecology Research Centre on

site that allows them to produce life, and life of endangered species. The research center is also

equipped with an auditorium

Green Features

Giant clam propagation- There are 8 species of giant clams, and Gayana has successfully

propagated 7 out of the 8 species in their research centre for restocking back to the sea. Other

propagation projects include coral reef and various species of fish.

Recycling program- The resort offers a recycling program for its guests and encourages staff

members to separate recyclable material from non-recyclable material. In addition to recycling,

the resort also composts waste to re-sage organic material into their landscape.

Certified “litter free resort”- In 2008, Gayana was the first ever resort awarded with the “litter free

resort” award. The award was presented by the Mayer and it recognizes Gayana’s eco

commitment to sustainability and becoming eco-friendly.

Green FeaturesCertified “5 Star public washrooms” for design and cleanliness- In 2008, Gayana was also

awarded with the “5 star toilet” status. Water used to flush toilets is recycled water that comes

from the reservoirs near the resort

Going towards eco-certification- With the resort’s many programs and methods for recycling and

conserving energy, they are working towards earning eco certification. Eco certification

recognizes quality of service and use of ecological products.

No shark fins served throughout resort- 100 million sharks a killed and mutilated a year for their

prize fins for human consumption. Gayana is the first resort in the nation of Malaysia to take

shark fins off its menu. “Killing sharks and throwing them away just for their fins is a despicable

and shameful practice that must be stopped,” said the PR director for the resort.

Green FeaturesWater reservoir- The Gayana eco-resort, which is nestled at the edges of a tropical jungle,

features an on site water-reservoir to collect rain water. A water treatment facility also exists on

site to purify water to use in flushing toilets and watering plants. Sheets will only be changed

upon customer requests after check-in.

Energy saving light bulbs- To save on energy, Gayana outfits the whole resort with energy saving

lightbulbs. Guest rooms also have light extinguishing features enabled by special room keys.

Staff members are also educated in saving energy whenever possible.

EntertainmentGayana Eco-resort offers local dive excursions to all other islands and

reefs within the Tunku Abdul Rahman park.

Fishing is not permitted in the park or resort; however, guests have

access to complimentary activities such as coral planting and fish

feeding.

To protect the reefs near the island, all water sports offered only utilize

non-motorized vehicles.

Observing WildlifeGuided jungle trekking is also available to guests along with guided

mangrove exploration. Gayana educates its guests about the resort’s

protection programs and encourages them to participate and become a

part of protecting wildlife.

Borneo Eco ToursAn online agency that offers great eco friendly tour packages for tourists to view the area around Gayana Eco-resort.

Trips are planned well before hand so that drivers can avoid congested routes. Join-in tour is also

available to help reduce carbon dioxide emission and conserve fuel.

Vehicles are all well-tuned to improve gas mileage, and tires are properly inflated to reduce tread

wear and conserve fuel.

Vehicles have properly tuned fuel injections to decrease idling, and only newer model vehicles

are used to decrease idling time and emission output.

Drivers always maintain a steady speed to have a positive effect on exhaust emissions, increase

fuel economy, and safety. Drivers also obey the excess weight weight permit to keep the vehicle

from consuming more fuel.

Location

Gayana Eco Resort is located on the island

Pulau Gaya off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.

(circled in red)

Bibliography

"Borneo Eco Tours Sabah Malaysia." Borneo Specialist - Borneo Eco Tours Sabah Malaysia. Web. 21 Dec. 2010.

<http://borneoecotours.com/green_practices.php>.

"Gayana Eco Resort - Location." Gayana Eco Resort | Bungaraya Island Resort Spa | Borneo Island | Malaysia. Web. 21 Dec. 2010.

<http://www.gayana-eco-resort.com/gayana_site/location.html>.

"Gayana Eco Resort." Eco Hotels of the World. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. <http://www.ecohotelsoftheworld.com/gayana-eco-resort-3.html>.

"Gayana Eco Resort, First Resort Certified as Litter Free." Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah. 18 Sept. 2008. Web.

21 Dec. 2010. <http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=982:gayana-eco-resort-first-resort-

certified-as-litter-free&catid=36:year-2008&Itemid=70>.

"Green Aircraft and Airlines." Airline Seating Charts - Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru. Web. 21 Dec. 2010.

<http://www.seatguru.com/articles/green_aircraft_and_airlines.php>.

"Resort Takes Shark's Fins off It's Menu." Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia. 27 Sept. 2008. Web. 21 Dec. 2010.

<http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=60091>.

State, By. "Tourism Malaysia : Activities : Ecotourism." Tourism Malaysia Official Website. Web. 21 Dec. 2010.

<http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/activities/default.asp?activity_id=20>.