Sustainable Tourism Programmes in Mersing

Our colleagues have been conducting assessments of resorts in Mersing based on the ASEAN Green Hotel Standards. Three resorts on Pulau Besar and Pulau Sibu were assessed in this past quarter, through a combination of visual inspections, interview and review of relevant documents. The operators are also provided with recommendations to improve their management and operations upon completion of the assessments.

The Eco-Friendly Snorkel Guide (EFSG) programme is designed to train and empower local snorkel guides to provide quality service while promoting responsible snorkelling practices. Since 2019, over 150 guides in Mersing have been trained. This year, 13 participants joined a session held in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Mersing Tourism Association. The training modules covered basic marine ecology, guiding skills, communication, and first aid through interactive and hands-on activities.

EFSG participants during a training session

Clean-ups & Waste Management

Between April and June, we carried out 10 underwater clean-ups across seven islands, removing 152.75kg of ghost nets and marine debris from coral reefs. The effort was supported by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, as well as members of the Mersing and Tioman Marine Conservation Groups (MMCG and TMCG).

Our community recycling programme has been making great progress. Started in 2022 with support from MISC, the programme has now expanded from one island to three. Recently, Marlborough College Malaysia and Vulpecula Outdoors Sdn Bhd sponsored a glass crusher machine, now placed in our Rumah Kitar Semula, which also houses a baler for compacting plastic bottles and a can crusher. This new addition will further support local recycling efforts.

Demonstation of the glass crusher operations

Our Cintai Mersing’s teams efforts were recently featured in this article, so do check it out!