Shangri-La Rasa Ria has been recognised with the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award (ASTA) 2026–2028 for Best Sustainable Rural Tourism Product of Malaysia under the Eco-Friendly Tourist Attraction category.
As a sustainability partner of Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Amazing Borneo Tours supports the resort’s eco-tourism initiatives and was invited to the award presentation ceremony, marking a shared milestone in advancing responsible tourism practices in Sabah.
The awards were presented in the presence of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, reinforcing national support for sustainable tourism development.
What is the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award (ASTA)?
The ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award (ASTA) recognises tourism destinations and operators that demonstrate measurable environmental impact, community engagement, and sustainable business practices.
Shangri-La Rasa Ria earned this recognition through its integrated approach to sustainability across operations, events, and community partnerships.
Why Shangri-La Rasa Ria Won
A key factor behind the award is the resort’s milestone achievement as the first hotel in Malaysia to obtain ISO 20121 certification for Sustainable Event Management. What makes it even more outstanding is that it is the first Shangri-La property globally to achieve this certification.
This international standard ensures that meetings and events are planned with:
- Reduced environmental impact
- Responsible resource use
- Positive social outcomes
In addition, the resort received the ASEAN MICE Venue Award (Event Venue Category) 2026–2028, recognising excellence in sustainable business events.
Measurable Sustainability Impact
Shangri-La Rasa Ria’s recognition is backed by clear, trackable initiatives:
- Achieves over 60% waste diversion, reducing landfill contribution
- Prioritises local sourcing, supporting Sabah-based communities
- Improves energy efficiency across resort operations
These efforts demonstrate how sustainable MICE and eco-tourism in Malaysia can be implemented at scale.
A Year of Sustainability Recognition
The ASEAN awards build on earlier recognition, including the Gold Sustainability Award at the 13th Sabah Tourism Awards.
During the ASTA presentation ceremony, Shangri-La Rasa Ria also recognised key contributors across its ecosystem, including:
- F&B teams from Tepi Laut and Coffee Terrace
- MICE and events team
- ESG and sustainability team
This highlights a whole-of-organisation approach to sustainability, beyond certifications alone.
Supporting Local Communities Through Partnerships
The ceremony also honoured sustainability partners, including:
- Amazing Borneo Tours, supporting responsible travel experiences across Sabah
- Corn Husk Craft (Kota Marudu), a community-based upcycling initiative transforming agricultural waste into decorative products for the hospitality industry
These collaborations demonstrate how tourism can generate local income while reducing environmental impact through community-based initiatives.
Amazing Borneo’s Role in Sustainable Tourism
As a sustainability partner of Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Amazing Borneo Tours plays an active role in translating sustainability principles into real guest experiences.
Through a dedicated tour desk at the resort, guests are connected with curated activities in the surrounding areas, with a focus on:
- Nearby destinations, reducing unnecessary travel and carbon footprint
- Locally operated tours, supporting community-based businesses
- Low-impact experiences aligned with Sabah’s natural environment
At the same time, Amazing Borneo incorporates digital booking systems at the tour desk to minimise paper usage and streamline operations, reducing waste while improving the overall guest experience.
This approach ensures that tourism spending directly benefits local communities while minimising environmental impact, reinforcing the standards recognised by the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award.
“Sustainability is not defined by certifications alone, but by how tourism is designed and delivered on the ground,” said Kenji Yeo, CEO and Founder of Amazing Borneo Tours, “Our partnership with Shangri-La Rasa Ria focuses on ensuring that guest experiences create real value for local communities while keeping environmental impact low.”
Sabah’s Growing Position in Sustainable Tourism
With recognitions such as the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award, Sabah continues to strengthen its position as a leading eco-tourism destination in Southeast Asia.
Partnerships between operators like Amazing Borneo Tours and resorts like Shangri-La Rasa Ria play a key role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry in the region.