Welcome! This month, we look back on a successful year fueled by your partnership. We’ve chosen to highlight a series of experiences that exemplify our commitment to responsible travel and B Corp values. Read on for more details on how we are making meaningful impact, thereby bringing ‘travel made real’ to life in our destination.
Key Takeaways:
- Products: We revisit exemplary products, such as Kg Nyegol, that showcase our Travel for Good initiatives and promote the importance of preservation.
- Hotels: We spotlight Mandai Resort, a Nature-Positive EXO-preferred hotel located within Singapore’s reserve.
- Destination News: We are proud to collaborate with The Sirēya Desaru Coast (Mandarin Oriental), a luxurious new re-opening in the region.
Product updates
Borneo: Kg Nyegol
Community Experience
2 Days / 1 Night
This exemplary Community Empowerment experience allows guests to engage deeply with local conservation efforts, directly reflecting our B Corp commitment to protecting our planet and giving back. It is perfect for clients committed to responsible travel who want an authentic, immersive community interaction.
Borneo: Mantanani Island: A Sustainable Beach Escape
4 Days / 3 Nights
This beautiful island escape strongly aligns with our Nature Positive commitment, featuring a hands-on ‘Plastic to Purpose’ program with Reef Check and the opportunity to support a local social enterprise. It’s ideal for environmentally conscious clients seeking both relaxation and meaningful engagement.
Kuala Lumpur
Magical Kampong Baru
Half Day
A testament to our pursuit of Cultural Heritage and authentic encounters, this niche experience promotes interaction with the local community in a historic Malay village setting. It is ideal for foodies and culture seekers looking for a genuine local perspective.
Luxury Products
Borneo: Kinabatangan
Cruise Live aboard
4 Days / 3 Nights
This bespoke liveaboard exemplifies Luxury with Substance, offering an unparalleled wildlife experience where attention to detail meets our core values of nature protection. We recommend this for discerning clients who desire a private, premium safari while supporting ethical nature-based practices.
Singapore: Royal Albatross
Sunset Sail & Dinner Cruise
Half Day
This cruise offers a unique, romantic luxury experience, sailing past the Singapore skyline on a majestic 4-mast superyacht while enjoying a 4-course dinner. It is perfect for high-end clients, honeymooners or those celebrating a special occasion seeking unparalleled sunset views and dining.
Belmond Train
Eastern & Oriental Express
3 Days / 2 Nights
This iconic train journey perfectly combines luxury with access to authentic Malaysian experiences, in areas such as Penang and Taman Negara, fulfilling our cross-destination commitment to unique travel. It is ideal for luxury clients seeking a seamless, classic Asian journey with curated local immersions.
Singapore
Vintage Vespa Sidecar
Half Day
This highly unique tour showcases our innovative product design and ability to unlock hidden local experiences that allow for a new perspective or approach to engaging with a destination. It is perfect for anyone looking for a visually spectacular and memorable journey in the cityscape of Singapore.
Hotel updates
Mandai
Rainforest Resort
by Banyan Tree
Singapore
Located within Singapore’s nature reserve, Mandai Resort is a prime example of a Nature Positive preferred hotel, offering clients luxurious immersion without compromising environmental integrity. We recommend this to environmentally conscious clients and families seeking a unique, reserve-based stay. Learn More
Artyzen
Singapore
The Artyzen is an EXO-preferred hotel which beautiful interior architecture reflects the rich history of its location in Singapore, giving it a unique sense of place. We highly recommend this design-forward stay for culturally curious clients who appreciate a modern hotel that honours local heritage. Learn More
The Sirēya Desaru Coast Opens its Doors
We are proud to be part of the collaboration with The Sirēya Desaru Coast – Operated by Mandarin Oriental. This highly anticipated hotel has rebranded and is opening its doors again on 1st February 2026, offering a new luxurious rainforest retreat where the jungle meets the sea. This partnership enhances our luxury portfolio in Malaysia.
Peninsula Malaysia Luxury Stays: Advance Booking Required
Please note that key luxury hotels like The Datai and Four Seasons in Langkawi are also selling out many months in advance, similar to the demand seen in Borneo. We recommend booking key dates for these Peninsula luxury stays well ahead to secure availability for your clients.
Borneo Lodges: 2026/2027 Booking Advisory
Due to high demand and limited capacity, popular Borneo lodges must be booked at least one year in advance. To secure 2026 slots, early itinerary planning is essential.
Peak Season Alert (July – September 2026)
The core season is at near-zero capacity. We recommend managing client expectations now, as continuous stays are increasingly difficult to confirm.
- Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL): Confirmed 0% availability for July, August, and September. (Fully Booked)
- Gaya Island Resort (GIR) & Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL): Availability is under 10%. Historical patterns show extreme close-outs in July and August.
- Tabin Wildlife Resort, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort (KWR), Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort (BSSR): Availability is under 5%. These properties have very small capacities (often under 20 units), leaving minimal inventory.
Waitlist & Flexibility: While we can waitlist clients, success is not guaranteed. We strongly advise flexibility in routing or considering alternative properties.
Recommended Alternatives: Shoulder Seasons
Suggesting April–May or October offers a significantly better chance of securing a booking, often with more attractive rates and potentially better weather.
- BRL, Bungaraya Island Resort, GIR: Availability estimated at 25% to 40%. This is your best chance for confirmation, though immediate booking is still required.
- SRL & East Coast Small Lodges: Availability estimated under 30%. Inventory remains tight due to small capacities; prompt action is essential.
2027 Planning
To stay ahead of these recurring capacity issues, we encourage partners to start booking 2027 now. A 12-month+ lead time is now the standard for Borneo’s most iconic lodges.
Destinations News
Important Transport Update: MASwings Transition to AirBorneo
Please be advised that effective 1st January 2026, all MASwings flights will be operated by AirBorneo following the transfer of ownership to the Sarawak Government. Existing bookings and schedules remain valid, and passengers are not required to take any action unless otherwise notified. New online bookings for travel on or after 14 January 2026 must be made directly with the AirBorneo website, and Enrich Points will no longer be eligible for earning or redemption on these flights.
Team Inspections
The EXO team is currently dedicating the end of the year to extensive on-the-ground inspections of our experiences and hotels. This essential process ensures we maintain the highest service standards and quality across all destinations, giving you confidence when booking.
EXO Team Celebrates EXO Culture Day and Annual Dinner
Our EXO Malaysia and Singapore teams recently came together to celebrate EXO Culture Day at our annual dinner at Golden Sands, Penang on 12 December 2025. The theme of the event was ‘Movie Characters’, and everyone brought their best costume to live up to the fun challenge. It was a wonderful evening where we announced our EXO Stars, recognized top performers and hosted lucky draws to reward our team members for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. This event reaffirms our commitment to a positive and engaged team, ready to support you and your clients moving forward.
Holiday Schedule
Please be advised that during the upcoming national holidays, some departments will experience reduced staffing, which may lead to slightly slower response times.
Our Customer Care and Operations teams will continue to be fully available 24/7 for urgent support. We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership.
Public Holidays
- 24-25 December (Wed – Thu): EXO Malaysia (Borneo)
- 25 December (Thu): EXO Malaysia (Peninsular) & EXO Singapore
Response times will be delayed; however, our Customer Care and Operations ground teams will remain available 24/7 to assist with any urgent matters.
24/7 Urgent Emergency Contact Only EXO Malaysia:
Peninsular Malaysia +60 12 252 3090 | Email: [email protected]
Borneo: +60 13 881 9332 | Email: [email protected]
Malaysia Customer Care: [email protected]
24/7 Urgent Emergency Contact Only EXO Singapore:
Singapore: +65 806-67499 | Email: [email protected]
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 
" alt=""> 