Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo Nature Tours (BNT) and Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) are positioning themselves at the forefront of sustainable and experiential tourism in Sabah.
They will launch the Blue Rings Tour and the Dusun Subpan Cultural Experience in 2026, expanding their product offerings beyond the rainforest, said BNT and BRL Chief Operating Officer Sail Jamaludin.
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Also in 2026, the organisations will host the Danum Mountain Bike Race, a major event expected to elevate Lahad Datu’s tourism profile, he said during the two organisations’ appreciation dinner for staff at the Yayasan Sabah building.
For this year, he said BNT and BRL achieved a new milestone by placing Sabah on the global stage.
BNT was honoured with the LuxLife Leader in Luxury Award 2025 for Best Adventure Tour Operator in Malaysia.
“This recognition reflects our expertise, credibility and the trust guests place in our experiences,” he said.
Meanwhile, BRL brought home three prestigious titles from the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2025: Luxury Sustainable Malaysia, Luxury Eco Lodge Asia and Luxury Wilderness Lodge Global, making it the only property in Sabah to achieve this distinction.
“These awards are a tribute to every department, from the front line to the back end. Each of you contributes to making BRL a world class experience,” he said.
At the Borneo Bird Festival 2025, their team won first and second place in the Wildlife Video Contest, third place in the Bird Video Contest, and second place in the Artistic Bornean Bird Makeup Competition.
At the Sabah Hospitality Fiesta, their team secured two gold and two silver awards.
He said the organisation also worked to improve staff welfare and well being, including the construction of new staff quarters to provide a more comfortable living environment.
“We introduced AIA insurance coverage, which includes hospitalisation and surgery, term life, general outpatient care, specialist visits and dental care.
“Through our collaboration with Sony, the company subsidised 40 per cent of camera and lens purchases for staff, supporting their growth in photography and personal interests,” he said.
“All these enhancements are made with one goal in mind, your growth, safety and happiness,” he added.
The organisation also strengthened its product offerings and guest experiences, including a public swimming pool, bird hide, and a refined canopy walkway route with wheelchair accessible areas, aimed at ensuring inclusivity and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Cede Prudente was appointed as lodge ambassador, strengthening guide mentoring and adding value through speaker sessions for guests, he said.
Sail also announced that a bonus would be awarded to all staff as a token of appreciation for their hard work throughout the year, and thanked the Board of Directors for their unwavering support and trust in the organisation’s vision.
BNT and BRL are the subsidiary companies of the Yayasan Sabah Group of Companies.
