About Project

Green & Gold Tourism in Padawan

Responsible Borneo (REBORN) is an initiative by the Sarawak Research Society (SRS) in response to Sarawak’s commitment to responsible tourism. One of its pioneering projects, Green and Gold Tourism, focuses on community involvement and empowerment. This project focuses on the Padawan area, where pilot studies were conducted in selected locations such as Kampung Semedang, Annah Rais, and along the Padawan corridor. These studies were complemented by a series of dialogues with local leaders and community members. The objective is to design experimental tourism experiences that actively involve host communities, while gathering valuable input from tourism stakeholders before proposing responsible and experiential tourism packages for these and other potential destinations.

Padawan, under the jurisdiction of the Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP), is a vast region in Sarawak, Malaysia, spanning an area of 984.34 km². As of the 2020 census, Padawan is home to a population of 260,058, comprising a diverse mix of ethnic groups, primarily Bidayuh, Chinese, Malay, and Iban. The region has experienced significant growth in recent years and is uniquely endowed with both cultural richness and natural beauty. It offers a wide array of attractions that appeal to both locals and tourists alike. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Padawan Municipal Council, various government agencies, and local communities, Padawan has successfully developed numerous notable sites that are now recognised as viable tourism destinations. These natural and cultural features position Padawan as an ideal location for eco-tourism and adventure tourism, providing visitors with opportunities to engage with unspoiled environments while supporting conservation and sustainable development.

In Padawan, we engaged directly with the Padawan Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Padawan) during the period when it was chaired by YB Lo Khere Chiang. The council is currently under the leadership of Cr. Tan Kai. While each engagement had specific objectives, we quickly recognised the deeper value of maintaining open, ongoing communication as a sign of our genuine commitment to working together.

We sincerely appreciate the comments and feedback shared by the councillors and officials at MPP, which have been instrumental in shaping our approach. The tourism exploration in Padawan aligns with the project theme: “Developing Padawan as a Green-Community Oriented Tourism Destination: a Place to Visit, Revisit and Stay.” This initiative has garnered increasing attention for its focus on preserving cultural heritage, protecting natural resources, and promoting indigenous knowledge, all while advancing sustainable socio-economic development. These efforts underscore the importance of empowering host communities to take an active role in tourism. Collaboration with the relevant authorities and stakeholders is needed to facilitate the progress and success of the project while ensuring ethical considerations are observed. It is timely for tourism stakeholders and government bodies to work in unison to strengthen local capacity, enhance community wellbeing, and support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable destination management. When tourism is guided by local stewardship and developed responsibly, it becomes a powerful vehicle for environmental, economic, and social progress.