Thursday, August 22, 2019

An Open Letter to Hoteliers

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Editors receive many press releases every day. "Many" is a bit of an understatement. While "skimming through them" may sound unfair, there are moments when that skill is needed. Especially when they are all on the same topic.

If a story stands out, we call you, find out more about your story angle, using the classic journalism approach of Who, What, When, Where, Why and How? And also whether it is topical, interesting and most importantly, not a load of old CSR hot air.

Wine dinners, a spa escapade, new restaurants, or Sunday brunches have always been hot topics. But this year, something has changed for the better. The relationship between media and hoteliers has reached a new level, with a different type of discussion.

These are a few of the topics we have loved from the past few months. The W Bali ,for its genius yet simple sustainability initiatives. We could all have come up with Goby the Fish type of initiative a long time ago, raising awareness and reducing plastic waste in Bali's blue waters. Today we do.

And also the way they organize surplus food from the kitchen. It got us thinking about what we can do at home, albeit on a much smaller scale, yet still  contribute in reducing the waste food mountain.

Earlier this month, The Hilton Group took us on a road trip to Tabanan, introducing us to a social enterprise, Mountain Mamas , which produces bags made from old linen. A fun trip, with mind-blowing discussions with the Mamas!

We are also invited to a lot of kitchen "takeover" events, making dinner a lot more interesting with a chef we know from one restaurant, cooking up a storm in another. "Are you okay with these sauce pans?" and "What's the extractor fan system like in your kitchen?" are the type of conversation we had imagined.

But with high-calibre names, such as Chef Wayan Kresna, who whipped up some amazing dishes with his zero-waste approach at Salon Bali last week, we believe it is of far more substance than just that. Again, it got our attention and made us think about how to use a similar approach at home.

Then there are the wellness campaigns and initiatives that The Westin Bali  keeps coming up with. Whenever we pay them a visit, we truly feel that genuine positive energy. Perhaps because they practice what they preach i.e yoga, eating well, and also maintain a good life balance? Existential PR at its best!

We thought traditional PR efforts have become overshadowed by something we call digital marketing and the social media numbers of likes as validation and degree of success. But then a sweet message from Padma Hotels team congratulating yours truly on her personal achievement, just cause, make us feel hopeful.  There is such a thing as a relationship in this dynamic.

We love spending time with you, your property, and your people. Listening to your stories over coffee, washing down those dishes with wines (what's not to love?) But as a member of the media, we need to ask you this: Where is this going? We are slowly heading in the right direction. But then what?
 
How can we work together better? Should we organize a forum where hoteliers, the media, and the Bali government can discuss the important issues? Where is Bali heading? Can the island's infrastructure sustain more properties and guests? And if such a forum already exists, how can we make it more effective? With the increase in sustainability projects we are witnessing, doesn't adding more new hotels merely cancel out the positive achievements of these very same projects?

We'd love to hear your thoughts.


Don't forget to check our What's New Indonesia for Jakarta, Bali, and Bandung happenings.

Thank you for staying in touch with us, and the Island of the Gods.

Cheers,

Tressabel Hutasoit
Editor What's New Bali

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