Eco-luxury Tourists Spoilt for Choice

Auckland, New Zealand – 4 August 2009. Beautiful natural scenery and environmental preservation are beacons for New Zealanders abroad and Malaysia enjoys the finest resorts in the most pristine locations to lure our eco-luxury holidaymakers.

“Malaysian Borneo is arguably one of the planet's most diverse destinations,” enthuses Mr Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sydney. ”Natural assets include idyllic mainland beaches, tropical islands, some of the most bio-diverse and rich marine environments - offering some of the best scuba diving in the world, primeval virgin rainforest and jungle rich in wildlife, flora and fauna.

“Other highlights include South East Asia's highest mountain - Mount Kinabalu, river valleys, rugged canyons and warm, friendly, multi-cultural inhabitants as diverse as the landscape, who welcome visitors with open arms.”

This year, a spectacular new must-see destination will be added to the global eco-luxury map with the opening of Exquisite Borneo Villa's (EBV) award-winning Kudat Riviera luxury villa estate resort in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

The Kudat Riviera features expansive luxury villa estates, each with its own manicured private gardens and gigantic infinity swimming pool offering a level of space, privacy and seclusion that is almost unprecedented for a luxury villa resort: an average of 2-3 acres per villa.
The Kudat Riviera is being heralded as the "best luxury villa development in the Asia Pacific Region" and has already won awards, including "Best Architecture - Malaysia" and "Best Development - Malaysia" at the CNBC/Daily Mail International Property Awards. Its focus on environmental preservation is admired.

Malaysia’s Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa in Kota Kinabalu has just placed ninth in the best resort in Asia category and fifty-fifth in the top 100 overall best resorts of the world category in the current issue of Travel + Leisure magazine.

With a private beach, views of sparkling coral islands, and legendary attentive service, Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa offers the serenity of a secluded tropical Kota Kinabalu luxury resort just minutes away from the centre of downtown Kota Kinabalu.

Borneo Highlands Resort is a resort that is committed to playing a part in sustainable tourism. Menus printed on recycled paper and vegetarian organic cuisine at its café, the Annah Rais, complement the serene natural ambience of the resort.

Its eco-friendly attractions and facilities, such as the award-winning golf course and rainforest themed spa, combined with the highlands, stunning nature, and a promise of healthy living, makes the resort a must-see eco-luxury destination.

With all this on offer it’s easy to see why New Zealand travellers to Malaysia have increased by 33.4% in June 2009 compared to the year previously. Bring a little eco-luxury into your life and be the envy of your friends with a trip to Malaysia.

www.tourismmalaysia.co.nz

ENDS