24/05/2026

theSunday Special IV ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026

Redefining luxury vacationing in Malaysia From rainforest dreams

BY JOHN GILBERT newsdesk@thesundaily.com

B ENTONG: Long before “glamping” entered Malaysia’s tourism vocabulary, Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina was already imagining a different kind of escape, one in which luxury was not measured by chandeliers or marble lobbies but by silence, stillness and the ability to connect with nature. Tiara is a Malaysian actress, producer and entrepreneur best known for her acclaimed work in film and theatre, including the epic Puteri Gunung Ledang . She is the founder of Enfinity Group and Tiarasa Escapes, through which she has expanded into experiential tourism and nature-based hospitality. Nestled amid the rainforest hills of Janda Baik in Pahang, Tiarasa Escapes was never intended to be merely another resort. Conceived as Malaysia’s first glamping resort by concept, it was built around a philosophy that blended wellness, storytelling and immersive outdoor living, inspired by Tiara’s childhood experiences in nature and refined through years of luxury travel abroad.

to pioneering resort, iconic local actress charts how she wove nature and wellness into hospitality Today, as travellers increasingly move away from conventional hotel stays in search of slower, more restorative experiences, the resort reflects a wider shift reshaping the hospitality industry. Malaysia’s glamping sector is entering a more mature growth phase, fuelled by evolving travel preferences, stronger domestic tourism and post-pandemic demand for privacy, emotional wellbeing and nature-based retreats. For many travellers, accommodation is no longer the primary attraction. Increasingly, holidays are being chosen for how they make people feel, offering a chance to disconnect from routine, connect with nature and return from the trip mentally restored. In that space, glamping – which blends outdoor immersion with modern comfort – is steadily gaining ground among both local tourists and experience-driven travellers. For Tiara, however, the concept was once unfamiliar territory. “I deliberately coined and introduced the term ‘glamping resort’ to distinguish it from camping on one end and hotels on the other. “What we created was a new hospitality category altogether, one that combines immersive nature, curated comfort and storytelling-led experiences at a premium level,” she told theSun . Creating a new hospitality category

Luxury tents set amid the rainforest hills of Bentong, offering a blend of comfort and nature immersion. – ALL PICS COURTESY OF TIARA JACQUELINA

and maintaining service standards in open, nature-based environments. “Success requires vision, discipline and a strong brand philosophy. When done properly, glamping is not a trend, it is a sustainable, experience-driven hospitality model.” The rise of intentional travel Global travel patterns are also influencing the direction of Tiarasa’s evolution. “Globally and across Southeast Asia, the most significant trend shaping glamping is the shift towards intentional travel, experiences that prioritise wellness, authenticity and emotional connection over volume and spectacle. “My own travels have reinforced this. The most memorable stays are not necessarily the most extravagant, but the ones where nature, design and service work quietly together to create a sense of calm and presence.”

Being first came with challenges, particularly in educating the market on what glamping truly meant. “We had to explain that glamping is not about tents, and it is certainly not about roughing it. It is about intentional design, emotional resonance and service excellence, delivered within a natural setting. “What differentiates glamping from traditional hospitality is that value is created through experience, not scale.” At Tiarasa, she said, every aspect of the stay is carefully choreographed – from arrival and dining to wellness rituals and quiet moments in nature – creating stronger emotional connections and long-term brand loyalty. Tiara believes the real opportunity in glamping lies in differentiation and depth rather than expansion for its own sake. “The challenge lies in operational complexity, environmental sensitivity

Tiara is shaping how Malaysia experiences nature-led luxury.

A tranquil setting in Bentong where travellers disconnect from urban life.