By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) won three awards at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) 2026 Series 3 (Hospitality & Tourism) and The Hospitality Celebration 2026.
Its chief operating officer (COO), Abd Sail Jamaludin, was named COO of the Year.
The lodge also placed in the Top 10 for Service Excellence – Eco/Green Resort and Resort – Eco/Green Resort.
Abd Sail, accompanied by marketing team members Sylviana Chong, Rachel Abrianna and Sonia Rahim, attended the 32nd anniversary celebration of the awards, dubbed the “Oscar of Hospitality”, in Petaling Jaya on Oct 28.
The awards reflect the lodge’s achievements in hospitality, service excellence and eco-tourism.
“We are truly honoured to receive these recognitions at the HAPA Awards 2026.
“To us, these awards represent more than hospitality excellence. They reflect years of dedication, teamwork and our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences while preserving the natural environment in which we operate,” said Abd Sail.
He said BRL’s uniqueness lies in its ability to offer luxury hospitality in one of the world’s most remarkable rainforest ecosystems, the Danum Valley Conservation Area.
“Our focus has always been on three fundamental principles: service excellence, environmental responsibility and authentic guest experiences.
“Over the years, we have continuously enhanced our facilities, refined our service standards and invested in developing our people.
“At the same time, we have strengthened our sustainability practices, recognising that the rainforest is not simply the setting for our business; it is the very foundation of our existence,” he said.
“Our guests come from different parts of the world. While they appreciate comfort and personalised service, what they truly remember is the opportunity to experience nature in its purest form.
“From encounters with wildlife to guided rainforest adventures, we aim to create meaningful experiences that remain with our guests long after they leave,” he said.
He emphasised that the achievements belonged to the entire team.
“Operating a luxury lodge in such a remote environment requires extraordinary dedication, discipline and passion. Our people are the backbone of our success.
“Ultimately, we believe that true hospitality excellence is not measured by luxury alone, but by the quality of experiences we create, the people we empower and the legacy we leave behind,” he said.
Asked about Visit Sabah 2027, Abd Sail said the campaign presented an important opportunity to strengthen Sabah’s reputation as a world-class destination for nature-based tourism, particularly among international travellers seeking authentic and meaningful experiences.
“Sabah has something truly extraordinary to offer. We have exceptional biodiversity, beautiful natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and the warmth of our people. These are strengths that distinguish us from many other destinations.
“At BRL, our strategy moving forward is to build on these strengths while continuing to position Danum Valley as one of the world’s premier rainforest experiences.
“One of our priorities is to strengthen our international market presence by working more closely with tourism partners, travel specialists and international operators who cater to discerning travellers, particularly those interested in wildlife, nature, conservation and sustainable luxury,” he said.
He said the lodge also planned to enhance guest experiences through specialised nature-based activities, educational programmes and more personalised hospitality offerings.
“However, our objective is not simply to attract more visitors. We want to attract the right visitors — those who appreciate nature, respect the environment and recognise the value of responsible tourism.
“We believe that the future of high-quality nature tourism should focus on value rather than volume. Our success should not be measured solely by visitor arrivals, but also by the quality of experiences we provide and the long-term benefits tourism brings to Sabah,” he said.
He said the lodge also hoped to contribute to the wider tourism industry by creating local employment opportunities, supporting local businesses, developing hospitality talent and strengthening Sabah’s reputation in the international tourism market.
Ahead of Visit Sabah 2027, he said the lodge looks forward to supporting the state’s tourism aspirations and showcasing what makes Sabah special.
“Our vision is for BRL to be more than an internationally recognised luxury rainforest destination. We want it to be an example of how tourism can create lasting value while safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations,” he said.
Abd Sail named COO of the Year.
