Conservation
In Mayalibit Bay, community-based tourism connects the protection of marine and forest ecosystems with local livelihoods and cultural heritage.
Local livelihoods
Homestays, guiding services, cultural activities and nature-based experiences create opportunities for residents to benefit directly from visitors. Keeping tourism rooted in the villages strengthens local participation in how the bay is presented and experienced.
Nature and culture
Mayalibit Bay’s rainforests, mangroves, waterways and village traditions form one connected landscape. Tourism here is intended to support the care of natural resources while helping preserve cultural knowledge for future generations.
Sustainable local products
A number of families from Mayalibit have started producing local products using locally available materials, including traditional "noken" bags. You can find a number of products at the Matenhun store in Waisai – Matenhun meaning "made from nature". matenhun.com
Ancestral lands
Mayalibit Bay is regarded as the ancestral homeland of the Ma'ya tribe. For generations, local communities have lived closely connected to the sea, mangrove forests and tropical rainforest, relying traditionally on fishing, gardening, sago production and the use of natural resources. Their cultural heritage includes traditional knowledge, songs, dances, customary practices and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.