BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Earth Matters  >  Borders Are Open! Ecotourism in the New Normal

Borders Are Open! Ecotourism in the New Normal

Andrew Sebastian, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia | Gwenda Gui, Vice President, Sabah Tourist Guides Association

18-Apr-22 15:00

Borders Are Open! Ecotourism in the New Normal

The closure of Malaysia's international borders hit the local tourism industry hard, and almost decimated the ecotourism sector. Now that borders have reopened, we speak to two nature guides and ecotourism operators, Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the  Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia and Gwenda Gui, the Vice President of the Sabah Tourist Guides Association, about how the industry is preparing for the return of more international travellers, the necessary assistance from both state and federal authorities that would be helpful to ecotourism players to rebuild, and what ecotourism in the new normal might look like, for both local and international travellers. 


Image credit: Pexels

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  environmenttravel

Tags:  nature travelwildlife toursGwenda Guinature holidaysnature guidesthe bigger pictureearth mattersecotourismwildlife conservationconservationborders reopeningcovid-19andrew sebastian





Play / Pause

Listen now : Opening Bell: (REPEAT) Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler Newsletter tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Selena Ling, Chief Economist, OCBC Bank gives us an outlook for Singapore's economy in 2026.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Geoffrey Williams, Economist, discusses the cost of living situation and whether government schemes such as Sara and Budi95 have helped alleviate the burden.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Edward Koh, Executive Director, Polymer Link Bhd discusses the company's listing on Bursa's ACE Market, plans for expansion, its niche in the market, and more.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Donal Crotty, Chairman of Eurocham Malaysia discusses the outlook for Malaysia-EU trade.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) Dr. Geoffrey Williams, Economist, discusses the cost of living situation and whether government schemes such as Sara and Budi95 have helped alleviate the burden.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler Newsletter tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Selena Ling, Chief Economist, OCBC Bank gives us an outlook for Singapore's economy in 2026.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Paul Dass, Managing Director of Green Street Farms, on what it means to grow food with care in the heart of a city.

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

MVCA’s Ng Sai Kit reviews a turbulent 2025, from the eFishery fraud shock to the rollout of Jelawang Capital. He explains the association’s rebrand and whether the VC model remains viable in a market struggling for exits.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Edward Koh, Executive Director, Polymer Link Bhd discusses the company's listing on Bursa's ACE Market, plans for expansion, its niche in the market, and more.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Front Row

Set after a devastating flood, Lorong Cermin explores family, memory, and rebuilding. We speak to Elysa Lee and Ong Xiao Wen about bringing this original musical to life.

3:25 PM

Front Row

Tali Tukang Gantung brings real stories from Malaysia’s death penalty system to the stage. We speak with performer Deena Dakshini and producer Janice Ananthan from ADPAN.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Earlier this week, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was hospitalised after a fall. Why are falls dangerous for our seniors and how can we prevent them from happening in the home?

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector