Is APAC’s Premier Travel Show Primed to Take Lead in Sustainability Transformation?
Photo by Further East.
This Is Beyond brought Further East back to Seminyak, Bali for its 4th installment in November 2023. This was perhaps its largest gathering yet, connecting Asia’s world-class hotels and destinations with travel advisors and media from all around the world.
In his opening remark at the Open House, Serge Dive, Founder and CEO of This Is Beyond, commented, “This show is all about showcasing the very best of Australasia, with approximately 160 products on display.”
It was the Open House on day 1 that offered some of the most inspiring conversations of the entire 4-day show.
Kicking off this year’s theme, “Right here. Right now.”, the Open House featured an agenda of presentations and panel discussions guided by the principles of Inspire, Spark, and Progress.
Sustainability-focused Innovations Took Center Stage at the Open House
In the span of 3 hours, the spotlight shone on some of Asia's most prominent sustainability advocates and visionaries, who delivered the event’s most compelling presentations.
Setting the tone on the Inspire stage, Ronald Akli, Founder & CEO of Potato Head, engaged in a thought-provoking interview with Skift's columnist Colin Nagy.
From the inception of Potato Head Club in 2010, Ronald has masterfully transformed his enterprise, now known as Desa Potato Head, into an eco-chic brand featuring a resort, a beach club, and a creative playground – all anchored in the ethos of "Good Times, Do Good."
Ronald Akli, Founder & CEO of Potato Head. Photo (left) by Paulius Staniunas. Photos (center and right) by Jeremy Tran.
At the same time, over on the Spark Stage, Melita Koulmandas, CEO of Song Saa Private Island, took the audience on a journey through her Regenerative Ripples quest.
Having acquired twin islands for a humble USD 15,000 in 2006, Melita established the Song Saa Marine Reserve, allowing coral and marine life to rejuvenate. Now boasting a B Corp certification, Song Saa stands as a beacon of regenerative hospitality, showcasing the potential for positive environmental impact within the industry.
Melita Koulmandas, Founder, Chairwoman and CEO of the Song Saa Private Island and Foundation. Photos by Song Saa Private Island.
The Inspire stage further unfolded with a compelling presentation by Elora Hardy, Founder of Bali-based design studio IBUKU.
Elora passionately urged the hospitality sector to redefine luxury by embracing nature-led design. By emphasizing the health and emotional benefits associated with such an approach, she made an indisputable case for a new era of luxury that harmonizes with nature.
Elora Hardy, Founder of IBUKU, delivered a presentation titled The New Luxury: Harmony in Nature-led Design. Photo by Jeremy Tran.
While Bali is renowned for its lush rainforests and welcoming culture, it grapples with plastic pollution that chokes its rivers.
Gary Bencheghib, Co-Founder of Sungai Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning up Indonesia’s rivers, took the stage for a riveting 40-minute presentation. Gary sounded the alarm on plastic pollution in Bali, urging collective action across the hospitality sector to prevent the island's waterways from becoming open-air dumpsters.
His impassioned call for environmental stewardship resonated throughout the venue, igniting a sense of urgency and responsibility.
Gary Bencheghib, Co-Founder of Sungai Watch, The Power of Collective Action. Photos by Jeremy Tran.
A Close-Up Perspective of Sustainability Projects in Action
In the following days, Further East orchestrated a series of site visits and excursions, providing media members with an up-close view of Bali's pioneering sustainability endeavors.
Following Gary’s impassioned presentation, Further East, in partnership with Design Hotels, organized a visit for media members to see the Sungai Watch’s team in action in western Bali.
Taking on the daunting challenge of river cleanup is a mission that few would dare to undertake. The remarkable 110-member Sungai Watch team has achieved an impressive feat since its inception in 2020, collecting over 1,000 tons of plastic from 260 villages in Indonesia.
To address the root cause, the three siblings and co-founders, Gary, Sam, and Kelly Bencheghib, are exploring legal proceedings to hold Indonesia’s top plastic polluting companies, including Danone and Orang Tua, accountable for their ecologically harmful actions.
The impact of this immersive experience was undeniable. It left media members with a heightened awareness of the influential role that conscientious travelers and responsible travel service providers could play in curbing plastic pollution.
Photos by Jeremy Tran.
The following day, we visited Bambu Indah, ‘an ecologically-minded jungle retreat” in Ubud.
The name, which translates to "beautiful bamboo" in Indonesian, perfectly encapsulates the awe-inspiring dedication of John and Cynthia Hardy, the visionary husband-wife duo behind this remarkable green hotel. Beyond the sustainable ethos, we marveled at the exceptional craftsmanship that brought their visionary concept to life.
Nestled in nature's embrace, this luxurious haven offers a meticulously designed environment, locally sourced gastronomic experiences, and curated activities. As John Hardy said at this media visit, "This land has been growing food for thousands of years. Who am I to stop it?" Every detail at this rainforest oasis reflects a seamless blend of responsible practices and unparalleled comfort.
Photos by Bambu Indah.
Will Further East Take Lead on the Industry’s Sustainability Transformation?
The high-end and overall travel sector must no longer ignore the impact of plastic pollution and climate change. The need for change is clear and urgent. Further East, with its significant influence and extensive reach, is uniquely positioned to lead industry players in adopting a responsible business model.
The decision to spotlight the brightest sustainability-driven minds and initiatives within the region was not only commendable but marked a pivotal step in the right direction.
As we look ahead to Further East 2024, the anticipation is palpable as travel businesses and professionals continue to look for innovative and proven ways of integrating sustainability into their businesses.
When asked about whether and how Further East will play a more active in leading the industry’s sustainability transition, Serge Dive, CEO & Founder of This is Beyond said,
“As we prepare to hit Bali once more in November, Further East continues to grow in scope and influence, while keeping the intimacy we’re known for. Our exhibitors are still exclusive to the Asia-Pacific. Our buyers and media are second to none.
While this hasn’t changed, we’re seeing the subject of regenerative travel — restoring local cultures, not just maintaining them — come up again and again in conversation.
Last year, our inaugural Leadership Summit (held at NIHI) kept circling back to regenerative potential. We’re expecting it to be a major force in the connections our community will make in 2024 and beyond.”
Further East 2024 will return to Alila Seminyak on November 4 to 7, 2024.
Support the Sungai Watch team’s river clean-up projects by making a contribution here.
Full Disclosure: Further East 2023 presented a great selection of engaging presentations and panel discussions such as "Business of Influencing" and "AI: The Uninvited Guest" during the Open House – a glimpse of which can be found here. Additionally, the event offered diverse media activities such as immersive jewelry making and cocktail crafting workshops. Our editor participated in and covered the specific activities detailed in this article.
