The Apurva Kempinski Bali proudly hosted an annual ‘Path to Sustainable Growth’ summit, bringing together stakeholders with the collaborative goal of ‘Shaping the Future of Responsible, Inclusive and Profitable Tourism’. The event featured esteemed panel speakers from various industries, uniting global sustainability experts, business leaders, policymakers, and community advocates to address environmental, social, and economic challenges effectively and responsibly.
The summit comprised four panel discussions and opened with a keynote speech by Drs. Amnu Fuadiy, M.A., Assistant Deputy Minister for Sustainable Tourism at Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism. He highlighted the Ministry’s support for national policy promoting sustainable tourism through five priority programmes: a clean tourism movement, digitalisation practices to enhance marketing reach and quality, leveraging unique interests as key attractions for upscale tourism, organising events showcasing Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, and expanding the number of tourist villages to drive economic growth.
The first panel discussion centered on the Blueprint for Building Sustainable Destinations, with key speakers sharing their vision. Alistair Speirs presented the master plan, highlighting sustainability challenges, while Wenda Ramadya Nabiel emphasised environmental responsibility, social inclusivity, and economic value. Jelle Therry showcased designs for regenerative ecosystems, focusing on water resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable materials. This discussion was followed by another panel on The Challenges of Coexistence between Community and Tourism, where Dr. Yoga Iswara advocated for collective action to achieve Bali’s net-zero destination goal. Ida Bagus Agung Gunarthawa discussed community-based tourism development, and Amanda Marcella shared expertise in waste management, aiming for zero-waste. John Higson from Eco Solutions Lombok presented strategies for turning challenges into opportunities through agroforestry and sustainable practices.
A diverse panel of experts then discussed The Importance of Sustainable Hospitality and Biodiversity. Helianti Hilman highlighted Indonesia’s food biodiversity and cultural heritage, while Nicolas Perez emphasised water sustainability. Dr. Stefan Phang showcased initiatives like Linen for Life and Soap for Life, and Tobias Wilson discussed tackling organic waste’s impact on carbon emissions. Yuki Susanto from PT Suparma Tbk, who presented sustainable solutions implemented by PT Suparma Tbk, presented sustainable solutions, including sustainable sourcing, efficient production, and waste management.
The final panel discussion focused on strategies for Measuring and Mastering Sustainability. Shane Dalke from Bjarke Ingels Group shared his experience building the Gelephu Mindfulness City, emphasising harmony between modern life and nature. Maurice Adema discussed sustainable energy solutions, and Gayan Wejesiriwardana highlighted certification’s role in making sustainable measurable and trustworthy, stating, “Without measurement, sustainability is just intention.” Desak Intan concluded the panel discussions, outlining The Apurva Kempinski Bali’s long-term strategy for delivering value through culture preservation, environmental protection, local empowerment, and sustainable business practices.
Path to Sustainable Growth 2025 summit’s impact was evident in the feedback from attendees. “This summit was a game-changer for me,” said Katarina, a hotelier. “I left with a renewed sense of purpose and a network of like-minded individuals committed to making a difference.” said Desy, a travel agent, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The summit’s focus on practical solutions and collaboration was inspiring, I am excited to implement the strategies I learned and contribute to a more sustainable future.” The summit concluded with attendees feeling motivated to take action and work together towards sustainability goals.
As part of the hotel’s ongoing sustainability efforts, the Path to Sustainable Growth 2025 summit calculated its carbon footprint, with the ultimate goal of becoming the first hotel in Indonesia to achieve carbon neutrality. The assessment covered venue and accommodation, food and beverages, and transportation, revealing a total of 6,537.75 kgCO2e. To put this into perspective, offsetting this amount would require the carbon sequestration capacity of 725 mangrove trees or 98 jackfruit trees over three years. In line with this, The Apurva Kempinski Bali is committed to offsetting these emissions, underscoring its long-term dedication to sustainability
