Design
resort in the world, particularly island resorts because of the movement of currents, where you’re constantly getting plastic washing up. We have already collected tonnes and tonnes of it.”
Not just recycling
Above: A unique getaway, the Biosphere allows guests to truly experience nature.
Below: Bawah Islands, within which the Bawah Reserve is located.
and locally quarried stone. Furthermore, furnishings such as mirrors, sinks and baths were fashioned by local artisans using recycled copper, and the island’s boat moorings were put in place with the help of specialist divers to ensure that anchors would not damage the coral reefs beneath.
“From the very first concept, everything we’ve done has been about protecting and preserving what we’ve got,” says Paul Robinson, Bawah Reserve’s chief operating officer. “We set up to protect the local islands – of which we have six – and really to be a beacon for what sustainable tourism can be.” Indeed, from providing reef-friendly sun cream to giving guests the option to use towels that require less energy to wash than thicker plush styles, Robinson says it is important not to force their ethos onto others, instead encouraging guests to adopt it instinctively. “It’s about giving people a choice; but I do hope the way we do things inspires everybody to think a little bit more.” Water is a precious resource on the island, so rain is collected from the roofs and stored for later use, while seawater is put through a desalination plant to remove salt and impurities in order to provide every room of the reserve with drinkable tap water. “We give each guest a refillable water bottle to avoid using plastic,” says Robinson. “Plastic is such a nightmare for any
Another significant threat to the Earth’s oceans has been the release of raw sewage and the mixture of chemicals that comes with it. But, at Bawah, waste is pumped into a sewage-treatment plant. “Nothing goes into the sea and all solid waste generated on the island is sorted and sent for recycling,” Robinson says. Tropical storms can make the reliable provision of electricity challenging, necessitating the use of a diesel generator, but the reserve has conducted a series of tests for implementing solar energy and panels are due to be installed soon. “It’s about striving to be better,” says Robinson. “There’s so much greenwashing going on in the industry, and a lot of hotels are clamouring now to say that they are environmentally sustainable when they aren’t. No hotel is perfect, but what you can do is aspire to be the best.”
In order to offset the impact of such imperfections, Bawah has an ongoing reforestation project to grow trees where the canopy has become depleted and preserve those that have stood on the island for more than 2,000 years. In addition, Bawah’s remote location (the next island is 30 nautical miles away) means it has its own ecosystem and protecting its mangroves, which shelter young fish, is key for supporting marine life. “We’ve had scientists and researchers come from several prestigious universities in Singapore and here in Indonesia, who have told us that the amount of land that’s been preserved and the amount of mangrove swamp could be considered as a carbon offset,” Robinson explains. As a marine reserve, the islands also provide nesting beaches for vulnerable sea turtles and works with marine biologists to relocate turtle eggs to safe locations to improve the rate of successful hatching. Similarly, the resort is focused on rehabilitating coral, with reefs facing increasing threats and has seen a 20% increase in coral in just two years as a result. It’s important to both Robinson and Barreno that they create a fascinating experience for guests, who can learn about an ecological way of living simply by being immersed in it. To them, luxury means something other than expense: it is about a feeling of space and an authentic atmosphere that allows you to connect with your surrounds. “It’s a sense of belonging when you go somewhere,” says Robinson. “As caretakers of a pristine natural reserve, we can offer guests the opportunity to feel restored in a faraway paradise.” Barreno adds: “Sustainability and luxury shouldn’t have to be understood as opposites; they should and must coexist.” ●
54 Hotel Management International /
www.hmi-online.com
BIG; Bawah Reserve
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