Sustainable Indonesia - The Growing Popularity of Green Travel
55,000 kilometres of coastline, 17,000 islands and over 270,000 million inhabitants – welcome to Indonesia! The cultural diversity resulting from the coexistence of hundreds of ethnic groups, a paradisiacal island world with active volcanoes and beautiful beaches, flora and fauna rich in species and lively metropolises such as the capital Jakarta make the island state a very attractive travel destination.
Megadiverse Country vs. Industrial Nation
Indonesia is one of the largest rainforest areas in the world and home to many rare animal species. Sumatra's national parks, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are home to the last orangutans still living in the wild. The Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran rhinoceros also live here. The rainforest is also home to many rare plants such as orchids and rafflesias. North Borneo and West New Guinea are home to two of the five centres of the greatest biodiversity on earth... With its enormous biodiversity, Indonesia is one of the world's mega-diverse countries.
Indonesia is also an industrial nation and the largest economy in Southeast Asia. The most important sources of income include the mining of raw materials such as gold and copper, the cultivation of coffee, cocoa, rice and, above all, oil palms. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil. The steadily growing demand for palm oil, however, brings with it ecological and social challenges. The heavy clearing of forests in favour of new palm plantations or the exploitation of labour are just some of these. Indonesia is also a country that is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Natural disasters such as erosion, droughts and floods have become more frequent in recent years. But a change is emerging. Awareness of sustainable development and environmental protection is increasingly taking root in the minds of politicians, the population and trading partners.
Green Initiatives in Indonesia
The Indonesian government along with numerous political organisations and nature conservation associations from Indonesia and western countries are working in various action alliances for the conservation of nature as well as better working conditions. These include projects such as the "Action Plan for Sustainable Palm Oil" or the initiative for "Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains in Indonesia" of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The goals are sustainable production, forest conservation and social inclusion. Small farmers and their families in particular benefit from this - and of course the environment.
More and more green initiatives are also finding their place in tourism, strengthening regional structures, focusing on environmentally friendly cycles and supporting species conservation. Two of our Green Pearls® partners have been pioneers in green tourism for many years and show how diverse the possibilities are for tourism providers to engage sustainably.
Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa – Harmony with the Gods, with Nature and Between People
Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa in Bali, with its 18 traditional Balinese cottages, a new luxury villa and two suites, is a family-run eco-resort that benefits an entire local community both economically and socially. The employees come almost exclusively from the surrounding villages and the resort prefers to work with service providers from the immediate vicinity. Qualified training of the local residents through school education, further training courses or the promotion of community initiatives, comprehensive health care as well as adequate insurance cover were also part of the Puri Dajuma's social initiatives.
The two chefs, Dedi Putra Susila and Rudi Setiawan, ensure that the resort uses mainly seasonal products and that the ingredients come from local markets, farmers, and fishermen. Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa also focuses on 100% nature in the spa area: with recipes of essential oils made from regional products such as coconut oil, jungle honey, lemon, cucumber, and banana, which are prepared and applied with knowledge passed down through generations.
Eco Beach Tent by Billiton - A Relaxing and Climate-Friendly Holiday
Environmentally conscious travellers can also spend a relaxing and climate-friendly holiday in the Eco Beach Tent by Billiton. The refuge is located on the island of Belitung, which lies off the east coast of Sumatra in the Java Sea in Indonesia.
"Local wisdom is the foundation for unforgettable and authentic experiences for our guests." This is the credo of Eco Beach Tent Resort. Living according to the traditions and experiences of the locals, in harmony with nature.
Eight luxurious tents invite you to completely relax just a few steps from the water. They have been carefully planned and handcrafted from local wood and natural materials to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible. The environment also benefits from minimal use of chemicals in all green areas. The guest rooms are equipped with biodegradable soap and shampoo and for food packaging the glamping resort uses the local Simpur leaf, which is also used by locals in Belitung. Fruit and vegetables come from the resort's own organic farm.
Most of the employees are local residents - from construction workers to the clerks and chefs to the sales staff. The training of the employees helps to give new impulses and bring about urgently needed changes in people's behaviour. The Eco Beach Tent also supports its own sea turtle conservation programme on Kepayang Island, which can also be visited by guests. The turtle eggs are stored and incubated there until the hatchlings are released into the sea.
Indonesia's ecological challenges are vast, but first steps have already been taken. Tourism companies such as Puri Dajuma Bali and Eco Beach Tents by Billiton are successful examples of how environmental awareness, social responsibility and regional promotion can go hand in hand with attractive offers for travellers and unforgettable holiday experiences.
For more information about the Green Pearls partners, please visit www.greenpearls.com.