The group had its official launch in January. Why now?
The decision to officially launch APOLA in January was strategic, marking the beginning of a new year with a fresh vision for the future of outdoor lodging in the Asia-Pacific region. This timing reflects our readiness to address the growing demand for sustainable and responsible tourism, leveraging a period of recovery and transformation in the travel industry post-lockdown. It’s a pivotal moment to influence how people travel, emphasising outdoor experiences that respect and preserve the natural beauty of our destinations.
This year, our immediate priorities include establishing a solid foundation for APOLA by expanding our network of members, developing sustainable tourism guidelines, and launching initiatives that support local communities and conservation efforts.
Over the next five years, our vision is to position the Asia-Pacific region as a global leader in sustainable outdoor lodging. This includes advocating for policy changes, driving innovation in eco-friendly accommodations, and fostering a culture of responsible travel among tourists and industry stakeholders alike.
However, we do face some significant hurdles. The main challenges include navigating diverse regulations across countries, balancing growth with sustainability, and changing the perception of outdoor lodging from niche to mainstream while maintaining environmental integrity. Additionally, we must work on educating and engaging local communities and stakeholders about the benefits of sustainable tourism, ensuring they are active participants in this journey.
Why do you think interest in outdoor lodging has grown in the region?
Interest has surged due to growing awareness of the need for sustainable travel options and a desire among travellers to connect with nature on a deeper level. The region’s rich natural landscapes and cultural diversity make it an ideal setting for outdoor lodging experiences that offer escape, adventure, and immersion in local environments.
The most pressing issues include habitat destruction, water scarcity, and waste management. APOLA is committed to addressing these challenges by promoting best practices in eco-friendly construction, water conservation, and waste reduction among our members. We will also support initiatives that contribute to habitat restoration and encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources to minimise the environmental footprint of outdoor lodging sites.
APOLA has a great selection of characters within its founding members. How did this evolve, and who put the team together?
The development of APOLA’s founding team emerged organically from a collective enthusiasm and shared aspirations for advancing outdoor lodging in the Asia-Pacific, recognising both the sector’s growth potential and its distinct challenges. The team was brought together by Paul Dean, principal of Dean & Associates; Robert Hecker, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Horwath HTL Singapore; and Bill Barnett from C9 Hotelworks in Phuket, who each saw the opportunity to unite their knowledge and expertise to steer the outdoor lodging industry towards a sustainable future.
You are based on Samui. If you could change one thing right now that would immediately impact the island’s sustainability, what would that be and why?
It would be to implement a comprehensive waste management system that includes recycling and composting, significantly reducing the island’s waste footprint. Effective waste management is crucial for protecting the island’s natural beauty and marine life, ensuring Samui remains a sustainable and attractive destination for future generations.
For Thailand, I would advocate for a nation-wide shift towards sustainable tourism practices. This includes not only improving waste management and conservation efforts but also investing in sustainable infrastructure and education programmes that empower local communities. By prioritising sustainability, Thailand can safeguard its natural and cultural heritage, ensuring it remains a vibrant destination for responsible travellers.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) reaffirmed its commitment towards sustainable tourism development initiatives in the Philippines, particularly in the development and promotion of the country’s dive tourism.
The DoT’s Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) 2024 was held on February 23 to 25, offering expansive networking prospects for dive decision-makers, communities, and individuals through value-added components, including the Dive Travel Exchange business-to-business meetings, Dive Conference, and Dive Exhibit featuring the country’s best dive offerings.
Post-PHIDEX fam tours for international dive operators and invited media were also organised by the DoT.
Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted that dive tourism in 2023 contributed more than 73 billion pesos (US$1.3 billion) to the country’s economy, almost twice the 37 billion pesos revenue generated from the industry in 2022.
She also delivered president Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr’s message citing the private sector’s pivotal role in the government’s sustainable tourism development initiatives to ensure that “the Philippines remains a premier destination for diving enthusiasts and professionals from around the globe”. Marcos added that through “strategic investments in infrastructure and sustainable tourism initiatives, the government will continue to elevate our country’s standing as a hotspot of biodiversity and underwater adventure”.
In addition to organising the PHIDEX, the DoT introduced various dive festivals and programmes in several regions across the country, including the successful Philippine Tourism Dive Dialogue that debuted last September 2023 in Cebu.
“We have also expanded our dive tourism offerings to emerging and lesser-known destinations, bringing our total to approximately 120 dive destinations across the Philippines today,” Frasco added.
To prioritise a safe and enjoyable experience for divers, the DoT through its Dive Committee and infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, has committed to providing additional hyperbaric chambers in strategic locations across the country, including Boracay Island, Camiguin, Daanbantayan in Cebu, Dumaguete, and Puerto Galera.
The DoT has also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Asian Conservation Foundation, Blue Alliance Philippines, and Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute to foster a public-private approach in protecting the environment and promoting the country’s economic growth through tourism. The MoA covers areas of collaboration between the DoT and the NGOs, including the development of programmes for environmental sustainability, as well as conducting joint activities for marine environmental protection and conservation, supporting and participating in the parties’ promotional events and marketing activities, and designating a focal person or specific office to handle smooth coordination on all matters arising from the agreement.