From Sabah’s jungle villages to the streets of old Kuala Lumpur, there’s a lot to share about this issue. We’ve added four new experiences to our Malaysia portfolio – including an overnight Dusun community immersion in Kiulu, a mystery walk tracing the disappearance of Jim Thompson and a half-day heritage tour through KL’s craft and colonial quarter.
On the ground, there are renovation updates across several Sabah properties worth flagging before your next booking, and some important policy changes from SI Tours that need your attention.
Inside this update:
- New contract – Hilton Burau Bay is now open for bookings
- Tactical offer ending soon – The Datai Langkawi, book by 31 August
- Four new experiences – a community immersion in a Dusun village, a heritage day in Sandakan and a mystery walk in the Cameron Highlands; plus a KL heritage walk featuring a unique handmade keepsake.
- Important updates – SI Tours handling fee & 2027 allotment policy, AirBorneo disruptions across Sabah & Sarawak, updates on Perhentian Marriott Resort extra guest fees
- Renovation watch – Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Tanini Sepilok, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort & more
- Singapore booking advisory – F1 2027 inventory hold, 24 Sep – 13 Oct
Get Inspired - Featured Experiences
A Dusun Tribe Village Immersion
2 Days / 1 Night
- Trek 6 km through the Kiulu Valley to a Dusun community
- Hands-on workshops: bead-making, tapai rice wine and traditional fish netting
- Cultural dinner, Silat performance and rubber tapping
A genuine overnight immersion in Kampung Lingga – the real rhythms of Dusun village life, not a staged performance. This is a natural contrast segment within any Sabah wildlife itinerary, particularly well-paired with a Kinabatangan or Sepilok lodge stay. Simple tent accommodation, full board and all guides included.
Ideal for: Culturally curious travellers, small groups, sustainability-focused itineraries
Sepilok Wildlife
& Sandakan Heritage
Full Day
- Morning at Sepilok (Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre & Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre)
- Afternoon in Sandakan’s colonial quarter: Agnes Keith House and St. Michael’s & All Angels Church
- Sunset drinks at the Ormond Sandakan Hotel rooftop
Two genuinely different worlds in one well-paced day. The morning delivers real conservation depth, including Dr. Wong Siew Te’s landmark work at the Sun Bear Centre, before the afternoon pivots to Sandakan’s storied colonial past. Best positioned as a buffer day around Sukau, Abai or Kinabatangan stays.
Ideal for: Guests with a pre/post-lodge buffer day; culture and wildlife crossover travellers
Hammer & Heritage
in Kuala Lumpur
Half Day
From the Moorish grandeur of Dataran Merdeka to the satisfying rhythm of a hammer on pewter, this half-day journey moves between colonial history and hands-on craft, ending with a refined High Tea in a 1930s landmark. A rare combination of storytelling, creating and tasting in a single afternoon.
Ideal for: Culture lovers, history enthusiasts, couples, families & small groups seeking a memorable KL afternoon
A Cameron Highlands Mystery Walk
Half Day
One of the most intriguing half-days we’ve added to the Cameron Highlands offering and a strong Monday alternative when the main tea plantations are closed. The tour traces the mysterious 1967 disappearance of Jim Thompson, the American silk magnate and wartime OSS operative who vanished without a trace during a stay in the Highlands.
Ideal for: History buffs, mystery enthusiasts, couples, small groups
Featured properties
Hilton Burau Bay
Langkawi
Following high interest across the network, Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi is officially contracted and available for bookings. This 5-star beachfront property offers a balance of secluded luxury and family-friendly appeal, nestled in a quiet UNESCO Global Geopark bay along a pristine 650-metre private beach.
On the sustainability front, the property is entirely free of single-use plastic bottles, switching completely to glass alternatives and sourcing from its own self-sustaining water reservoir.
Destinations news - Malaysia
Logistics & operations
AirBorneo – Flight Disruptions Across Sabah & Sarawak
AirBorneo has been experiencing delays and cancellations across Sabah and Sarawak routes since 5 June, due to concurrent technical rectifications, scheduled maintenance and crew requirements. Disruptions are expected to continue as aircraft are progressively returned to service. Please advise all affected clients to check their flight status before heading to the airport. For any assistance, our 24-hour customer care team is on hand.
SI Tours (Abai Jungle Lodge / MY Nature Resort / Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge) – Fee & Policy Update
A non-refundable MYR 500 handling fee per person now applies to cancellations that fall outside the standard cancellation window – i.e. where no cancellation charge would otherwise apply. Please factor this in when booking. Full details available from your travel consultant.
Events & seasonality
Borneo Lodge Availability – Act Now for Peak Season
Peak season is here, and availability at Borneo’s premier lodges is critically tight. July to September 2026 is near fully booked across most properties – if you have clients still targeting this window, contact us immediately and we’ll check what remains. For new enquiries, we’d strongly recommend steering clients toward October 2026, or planning ahead for April to May 2027, where both availability and rates are considerably more favourable.
Hotels Renovations & Property News
Sepilok Forest Edge – Renovation Complete
Private rooms and the resort pool have been fully refreshed, with upgraded rooms available from April 2026. A new Family Chalet is currently under construction – the property has assured us noise will be carefully managed. Well worth highlighting the upgraded rooms when recommending this property.
Sepilok Forest Edge – Menu Price Revision
Effective 15 June 2026
Menu prices across à la carte and set meal options have been revised in line with rising food and operational costs. Updated pricing available on request.
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu – Phased Enhancement
October 2025 – Q2 2027
The most significant renovation to flag this issue. A resort-wide phased enhancement is underway – Phase 1 runs through September 2026, with full completion in Q2 2027. Guestrooms, the lobby, dining venues, bars, fitness facilities and the water park and pools are affected in rotation. STAR Marina, Chi The Spa and Cafe TATU remain accessible. Verify current availability before confirming bookings and brief guests accordingly.
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort – Expanding
As of April 2026, estimated 3 years phase.
A new spa and swimming pool are under construction within a designated development zone – all guest rooms, lobby, restaurant and existing public areas remain fully operational. Some partial views of the construction zone may be visible from certain areas of the resort.
Tanini Sepilok – Nurke Area Upgrade
Completing July 2026.
Tanini Sepilok is mid-refresh, with the Nurke area receiving a full upgrade across public spaces, the restaurant, and facilities. The hotel remains fully open throughout, with guest routes and views unaffected. Expect a noticeably elevated experience from July 2026 onwards.
Tanini Kinabatangan — Expanding
6 New Chalets · Completing end of June 2026
Exciting news from the riverbank — six new chalets are being added to Tanini Kinabatangan’s lineup. The hotel remains fully open and no guest-facing areas are affected. More room options and a bigger footprint on the Kinabatangan, arriving by mid-2026.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge — Daily Generator Shutdown
Effective 5 June 2026, until further notice
A two-hour generator shutdown runs daily from 3:00–5:00 PM, timed to coincide with afternoon excursions. Guests out on activities will be largely unaffected. Those remaining at the lodge should note that electricity — including lighting, air conditioning, hot water, and charging ports — will be temporarily offline during this window, though water supply remains functional. A simple note in pre-departure information will set the right expectations.
Destination News - Singapore
Events & Seasonality
Singapore Formula 1 – 2027 – Inventory Hold
24 September – 13 October 2027
Official race dates for Singapore F1 2027 are yet to be confirmed, but we’ve already placed a temporary hold on Singapore hotel inventory in EXO Create for this window. If you have clients eyeing this period, reach out to us directly and we’ll check availability and rates on your behalf. We’ll update you as soon as the official calendar drops.
Logistics & Operations
Singapore Changi Airport – Arrival Guide & Emergency Contacts
To help your clients navigate arrival smoothly, we’ve prepared a Changi Airport arrival map covering all four terminals – available for you to share with guests ahead of travel. Should a guest be unable to locate their driver on arrival, direct them to the nearest Information Counter; Changi Airport staff can contact our emergency hotline directly and we’ll coordinate from there. If no call comes through, our driver will make their way to the Information Counter once the baggage belt has cleared, or after 45 minutes of waiting – whichever comes first.
Map link: Singapore Changi Airport Arrival Guide
Emergency hotlines: +65 8076 3210 | +65 8066 7499
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.
Annual EXO Malaysia & EXO Singapore Team building 2025: Office Closure Notice
Please be informed that our offices will be closed for our annual EXO Malaysia & EXO Singapore team-building and EXO Culture Day on the following dates:
- 19 November (Thursday): Closed
- 20 November (Friday): Closed
- 21 November (Saturday): Weekend Closure (as usual)
EXO Malaysia (Peninsular & Borneo Office):
- 31 Aug (Mon): National Day
- 16 Sep (Wed): Malaysia Day
EXO Singapore:
- 9 Aug (Sun): National Day
- 10 Aug (Mon): National Day (Observed)
Response times will be delayed; however, our Customer Care and Operations ground teams will remain available 24/7 to assist with any urgent matters.
EXO Malaysia’s 24/7 Urgent Emergency Contact Information:
Peninsular Malaysia +60 12 252 3090 | Email: [email protected]
Borneo: +60 13 881 9332 | Email: [email protected]
Malaysia Customer Care: [email protected]
EXO Singapore’s 24/7 Urgent Emergency Contact Information:
Singapore: +65 806-67499 | Email: [email protected]
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