- Asia Sustainable Travel
- Posts
- Open Secrets to Success in Sustainability
Open Secrets to Success in Sustainability
Hear them from Asia's next-gen tourism leaders
Read time: 5 minutes
Welcome to the weekly AST Briefing.
Our Co-founder Rhea Vitto Tabora attended the "Philippine Hospitality on Sustainable Tourism" conference held on May 24, 2024, and came away with a lot of fresh knowledge.
It’s only fitting that for this week’s Feature Story, we’d like to share the key takeaways and best practices from "The Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders on the Future of Hospitality" panel discussion.
We hope you find them as enlightening and inspiring as we do.
Please share this newsletter with your friends so they can gain access to valuable content. We plant a tree to welcome every new subscriber through our partnership with OneSeed.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please subscribe here.
How Asia’s Next-Gen Sustainability Leaders Shape the Future of Hospitality
Titled "The Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders on the Future of Hospitality", this panel discussion provided a platform for industry innovators to share their forward-thinking strategies, setting a powerful vision for what the tourism sector can aim to accomplish.
Esteemed speakers include:
Raf Dionisio, Co-founder of MAD (Make A Difference) Travel
Samantha Manigsaca, AVP for Hospitality and Director of AppleOne Properties, Inc.
Architect Mar Adonis Uy, Project Director of Oceanica Resort Panglao (formerly South Palms Resort Panglao)
Together, they presented compelling insights into community-based tourism, waste management, and agro-tourism — a form of tourism that involves agriculturally based activities.
Community-Based Tourism and Regenerative Travel: An Immersive and Sustainable Model
Raf Dionisio of MAD Travel discussed the importance of community-based tourism in environmental conservation and valuing indigenous knowledge and local communities.
His organization collaborates with indigenous tribes, farmers, and fishermen to offer visitors an immersive, transformative experience.
One of their organized tours in Zambales is called Feast in the Forest, where elder Aetas (indigenous people) prepare local dishes using traditional bamboo cooking methods.
In this community, culinary practices are greatly influenced by foraging from the natural environment.
Photos by: MAD Travel
Through these activities, travelers learn about forest conservation and gain a deep appreciation for the Aetas' way of life, resilience, and profound connection to nature.
"You learn, have fun, help in the process, and hopefully leave things better than you found them," said Dionisio.
MAD Travel's initiatives extend to reforestation and agroforestry in Luzon, where projects like planting purple yam have led to both environmental benefits and community prosperity.
The project catalyzed the production of purple yam chips, creating a sustainable income stream for locals.
"A lot of youth want to help. You just have to give them that platform to engage in regenerative practices," he noted.
As more trees grew, this initiative also brought honeybees back to the area, resulting in the sustainable harvesting of forest honey during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photos by: MAD Travel
»»» Read more about how these projects bring long-term economic viability here
Farm-to-Table: Integrating Agro-Tourism
Uy elaborated on their farm-to-table concept, highlighting South Farm, a development near South Palms Resort.
This initiative capitalizes on the growing interest in agrotourism, educating visitors about sustainable farming practices.
"South Farm opened during the pandemic as a response to displaced employees," Uy explained.
"Instead of laying off staff, we engaged them in farming and weaving, which are integral to Boholano culture. Their livelihoods were sustained, and now it's a beautiful place to visit."
He pointed out that this project not only educates people but also preserves local traditions and sustains the community economically.
The Impact of Coral Health on Seafood Supply
Dionisio's analysis highlighted the critical role of coral reefs in seafood supplies and local economies. He cited Smithsonian data showing that healthy reefs can produce 1,000 kilos of seafood annually.
A clean Manila Bay could yield 2.9 million kilos of seafood annually. He also warned that plastic poses a major threat, with an 89% chance of sickening coral it contacts, jeopardizing fish farms.
Emphasizing preventive measures, Dionisio stressed that reducing plastic waste is essential to protecting our vital coral reefs and food supply.
Integrating Sustainability with Economic Growth
Dionisio stressed the importance of integrating simple sustainability practices into daily operations and guest experiences, focusing on people, planet, profit, and guest well-being.
He cited an initiative to reforest 3,000 hectares in Luzon by saving seeds from kitchens, creating the 'Tipsy with Sustainability' program—cocktail classes using fruits needed for reforestation.
This innovative approach educates tourists about sustainability in an engaging way, leveraging vacations as opportunities to instill sustainable habits without feeling like school.
Additionally, the panelists also touched on other areas including:
Addressing the Tourism Boom
Immersive Education and Simplified Sustainability
Architecting a Sustainable Future
How do you know if what you're doing is any good?
Weeva is the all-in-one tool for any hotel looking to measure, manage and meet their goals of operating sustainably.
To learn more about Weeva, please check out our interview with Weeva’s Managing Director Julie Cheetham here.
When you’re ready, book an introductory call with a Weeva Business Development Specialist here.
As an AST Briefing subscriber, you get a special 10% discount on your Weeva license purchase with the code AST10.
Mariglo Laririt, Director for Sustainability at Ten Knots Development Corporations' El Nido Hotels and Resorts, shared the following insights at her talk "Destination Stewardship: Rethinking the Purpose of Tourism".
1. Holistic destination stewardship is essential.
Destination stewardship is not just about behaving in the most honorable manner possible. It goes beyond responsible behavior; it encompasses the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment, which directly impacts guest experiences.
Initiatives such as El Nido Hotels and Resorts' setting up of mooring buoys, creating El Nino Marine Turtle Conservation Network, and coral reef monitoring exemplify how tourism establishments can preserve biodiversity.
These efforts not only preserve the unique essence of a place but also inspire tourists to act responsibly, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the destination.
2. Continuous commitment and collaboration are key.
Destination stewardship is an ongoing journey that requires steadfast commitment and the ability to adapt to new challenges, such as overtourism and environmental degradation.
Building a dedicated team of environmental champions who ensure that initiatives are carried out consistently and engaging in long-term partnerships with various stakeholders are critical strategies to ensure long-term success.
When you're ready, here are the services that we offer to level up your brand awareness:
Advertise with us.
80% of our readers hold a VP-level or above position in various hotel and travel companies. They come from 55 countries and territories.
Advertorials: AST produces content about brands and features across our channels.
Sponsored features: Brands sponsor our original features.
Re-aired features: Brands provide content, images, and videos. AST moderates and redistributes (re-airs) content across our channels.
Hire us to produce original brand content.
Long-form content: blog entries, newsletters, and website copy.
Social media content
Reports: impact reports and e-books.
We work with a tiered pricing system to ensure businesses of all sizes can benefit from our services.
