About HAK’s World – Travel, Stay & Farm-to-Table Experiences in Sabah

HAK’s World – Travel, Stay & Farm-to-Table Experiences

HAK’s World grew from a simple love for travel, people, and the natural beauty of Borneo. What began as Bike and Tours – a bicycle-based travel company founded in Lahad Datu – has evolved into a collection of experiences that connect guests with Sabah’s landscapes, flavors, and communities.

Today, HAK’s World brings together HAK’s Travel & Tours, HAK’s Boutique B&B, Hawa’s Artisan Kitchen (Farm-to-Table Dining), HAK’s Farm, HAK’s Shop, HAK’s Learning, and SynBorneo, our reforestation and community initiative.

At its heart, HAK’s World remains what it always was – a personal, hands-on hospitality journey built by Simon Werren and Itisha Ismail, rooted in curiosity, sustainability, and genuine connection.

Itisha Ismail – From City Lights to Sabah’s Wild Heart

Born and raised in Malaysia, Itisha’s path to outdoor adventure wasn’t exactly predictable. Once a self-confessed “creature of comfort,” her idea of a good walk used to mean hours in air-conditioned shopping malls. Life took a different turn when, over coffee in Kota Kinabalu, she decided to join her first long-distance cycling challenge – 65 km on the first day after not being on a bike for 15 years. That day changed everything.

Itisha holds an MBA in International Business from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. Her professional background – from luxury retail in Kuala Lumpur to customer service in Australia – honed her skills in understanding people and solving problems.

When she co-founded Bike and Tours (today HAK’s World) with Simon, she brought that same warmth and precision to hospitality. Today, she manages guest relations, community partnerships, and the culinary experiences behind Hawa’s Artisan Kitchen. Whether welcoming guests at the B&B, planning farm dinners, or guiding cooking classes, her signature blend of humor, empathy, and detail defines the HAK’s experience.

Simon Werren – From Switzerland to Borneo on Two Wheels

Simon comes from the lakeside town of Lucerne, Switzerland, where his love for travel and cultural exchange began. Trained in hotel management, he worked in several renowned Swiss hotels before setting off on a life-changing adventure: cycling from Switzerland to South Africa.

Together with his brother Philipp, Simon pedaled through 21 countries and 23,000 kilometers, meeting people, crossing deserts and jungles, and learning the art of slow, mindful travel. That journey gave birth to Brothers Cycling for the World, a small foundation supporting education and environmental projects – now continued in Sabah as SynBorneo.

When Simon reached Borneo, he found in Lahad Datu both a new home and a new purpose: to create meaningful travel experiences that connect people and nature. His vision shaped what is now HAK’s World – a network of travel, hospitality, and farm-to-table ventures that share one philosophy: authentic, sustainable, and personal.

Our Philosophy

At HAK’s World, travel is more than movement – it’s connection. We design experiences that bring together people, nature, and culture through:

• Sustainable travel – supporting local communities and preserving natural heritage.
• Authentic hospitality – small-scale, personal, and detail-oriented.
• Farm-to-table living – celebrating local produce and the people behind it.
• Education & reforestation – through SynBorneo, our non-profit arm dedicated to regenerative forestry and environmental awareness.

Every journey, meal, and encounter we create is designed to leave lasting impressions – not just for our guests, but also for the land and people who make Borneo so unique.

From Pedals to Purpose

What started with two bicycles has become a shared mission: to explore responsibly, live consciously, and give back generously. Welcome to HAK’s World – where travel, hospitality, and sustainability meet.