BRINCHANG: The Rainforest Inn in Kampung Menson near Bertam Valley in the Cameron Highlands has been rated as excellent by major online travel booking platforms such as Agoda and Booking.com.
Run by a 42-year-old Orang Asli named John Bah Tuin, the inn offers simple, no-frills accommodation in lush and beautiful natural surroundings.
The inn is styled after traditional Orang Asli homes. The rooms are built of wood, bamboo and mengkuang, and food is cooked with bamboo and firewood.
John, a former soldier, said his people were easily contented with a simple life and had little interest in entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship is important in changing the way we live and work, to do something important in life,” he told the New Straits Times.
“The inn offers job opportunities to the Orang Asli community.”
He said he had gained business experience through running a convenience store in his village.
John said it was important to be humble and accept advice from others.
He said the idea of building an inn by the crystal clear river next to the forest was given to him by his friend, Ong Gee Tatt.
“Ong had an eye for opportunity. As we discussed the idea, we realised that the inn would stand out given its secluded location.
“What we needed was the right service, style, soul, design and facilities,” he said.
It was not all smooth sailing though. John said he was cheated by unscrupulous travel agents who did not pay him for using the inn and its facilities.
He said he hoped that his entrepreneurial success would inspire his people to move out of their comfort zone.
“We should not depend on other people to be responsible for us,” he said.