Responsible Tourism - MESCOT’s Do’s & Don’ts
Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
One of our main hopes is that the cultural experience enjoyed by visitors, and our families today, will
remain the same for future visitors, and our children alike.
In the face of all the impacts on our culture from the outside world, we do hope that by working together with visitors,
on this simple, self imposed, “code of conduct”, that we can maintain as much as possible of our local traditions and
customs, for our future generations.
Acceptance of these qualities is not only a way of making friends easily, and learning more during your stay, but is very
much appreciated, and very highly respected...
Here below are some suggested tips to ensure that visitors know the very basics of what they should do to fit in and
enjoy their stay in either the homestay, eco-camp and the community of their host.
on this simple, self imposed, “code of conduct”, that we can maintain as much as possible of our local traditions and
customs, for our future generations.
Acceptance of these qualities is not only a way of making friends easily, and learning more during your stay, but is very
much appreciated, and very highly respected...
Here below are some suggested tips to ensure that visitors know the very basics of what they should do to fit in and
enjoy their stay in either the homestay, eco-camp and the community of their host.
Act Appropriately:
•
Eating is done with the right hand.
•
Right hand is used to accept money (change), pass
things, when shaking-hands, and waving.
•
Sitting with legs outstretched in-front is highly
inappropriate (good to practice sitting cross-legged
before coming to the village).
•
Batu Puteh Village and Miso Walai Homestays are
dry (no-alcohol); it is considered highly inappropriate
to suggest (or bring) alcoholic beverages.
•
Shoes should never be worn in a house (and rarely
even on the veranda). Best leave shoes untied, to
ease taking them on-and-off before entering houses.
Dress Appropriately:
•
T-shirt is a minimum and all clothing should as
minimum cover knees and shoulders.
•
Skirts that expose the legs while sitting are not
appropriate, especially not easy given that most
sitting is on the floor.
•
Long Bermuda shorts are considered acceptable.
•
Local dress (traditional costume) is favourable and
can be worn by visitors if offered
•
Sarong (wrap around cloth) while bathing is a
unique experience and a must.
•
Walking to-and-from, and while, bathing should be
done clothed or in a sarong (short wrap-around or
towels are not acceptable)
•
Always greet the head of the homestay and tell them
if you are going out at all (and before leaving).
Handshake is held in high regard so greetings are
most appropriate with a handshake (also in
farewell).
•
Sweets should never be given to children, and
medicine should never be given to people who claim
to be ill.
•
Money (tips) is not appropriate and gift-giving is not
encouraged as it causes inequality, it can embarrass
the receiver.
•
Inappropriate to discuss religion, politics, and
controversial world affairs (just ignore politely)
•
Visitors should never enter a mosque.
© created for KOPEL by CREST Sustainable Tourism Planning
