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In Indonesia, tourism actors in various regions have joined Signing Blue. Including in conservation areas such as Labuan Bajo, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. This area, according to Panca (Secretary, Signing Blue), has been quite concerned about environmental issues.

This is evidenced by the existence of quite good environmental management. Such as waste management, utilization of energy sources and management for services to tourists so that they are responsible for protecting the surrounding environment.

Good things like this, can be an example for more tourists in Bali. Where, Bali is one of the world's tourist destinations. "As a key to tourism in Indonesia, tourism operators in Bali are deemed to need more learning in managing environment-based tourism management," Panca added.

Mtra Signing Blue in Bali

In 2015, tourism actors in Bali began to join Signing Blue as a form of commitment to tourism practices, especially marine tourism which is responsible for environmental sustainability. At present, there are 19 Signing members

As was done by three members of Signing Blue in Bali. Namely The Haven Bali Hotel Seminyak, Griya Santrian Hotel, and SeaTrek Sailing Adventures Recreational Boat.

SeaTrek Sailing Adventures

Maria Widhyasari, SeaTrek Sales and Development said, SeaTrek has the same tourism mission as Signing Blue, which is responsible for the environment, community and culture.

From a cultural standpoint, SeaTrek introduces the culture of woven fabrics and how to make them. Including using materials from nature, natural dyes. As well as from the environmental side, SeaTrek uses sun cream and environmentally friendly soap. As well as guest education to save water. "Because even though we have a water filter machine. However, to operate the engine using a diesel engine, "he explained.

Nature protection is carried out ie not using plastic straws and not using disposable bottles. In order to reduce plastic waste in the sea the SeaTrek boat route is divided into two big groups. The east wind route starts from August to September with the aim of Bali, Komodo Island, and Sumba. Then the west wind route to Papua, Maluku, Ternate and Ambon. During the transition period in March the destination sailed to Sulawesi. SeaTrek also conducts education and environmental campaigns through websites and social media.

"Hopefully the guests will participate in protecting the environment," added Maria.

The Haven Bali Seminyak

Besides SeaTrek, another Signing Blue partner is The Haven Bali Seminyak inn. The Haven currently holds Star Fish 3. As tourism practitioners are also required to care about the marine environment. By making announcements about what may and may not be done by guests in Bali. So that guests do not become arbitrary towards the ecosystem, especially those in the ocean, for example maintaining coral reefs.

Tri Christy Novia Tambunan, Assistant PR Manager of The Haven Bali Seminyak said, that her party saw Signing Blue is a program that can direct more responsible tourism actors. So that starting in March 2017, The Haven officially becomes part of this program.

Although they have made many efforts to protect marine tourism, The Haven Bali Seminyak wants to improve Star Fish, because for them it is a challenge to educate those closest to them, such as guests and employees' families. "So that protecting the environment is not just the perpetrators of tourism, but everyone who wants to care," said Riri, her nickname.

 
In addition, The Haven Bali Seminyak also invites the cooperation of Seminyak customary communities to manage waste and comply with government regulations in accordance with responsible wastewater management through the Denpasar Sewerage Development Project (DSDP) program in an effort to maintain soil and water quality.

"For water savings, we also appeal to guests to save bed linen changes so they are not replaced every day," he added. In every faucet, there is also an appeal to save water and save electricity. Even small things are shared with guests because they have a big impact on the earth.

Riri said, The Haven Bali has also collaborated with B3 waste services with its partners in Surabaya, namely Prasadha Pamunah Waste Industry (PPLi). This is a matter of pride because The Haven Bali is the only hotel that participates in the management of B3 waste.

 
"The Haven Bali Seminyak has also been granted a temporary storage permit for B3 waste from the Integrated Licensing Services Agency, Badung Regency Government," he continued.

Meanwhile, in terms of social culture, traditional clothing, traditional dances, and various cultural attractions become a means of introducing Balinese culture to tourists.

Griya Santrian

Another Signing Blue partner, Griya Santrian, talked about the environment and its efforts to maintain the many trees that grow around the hotel in providing comfort for guests, especially guests from Europe who have three seasons. "They don't always see a green environment, so giving them a view of trees is interesting," said Ida Bagus Gede Sidhiarta Putra, owner of the Santrian Group.

According to Gusde, his nickname, tourism is about international transactions. No wonder the visitors are people who are environmentally conscious. For this reason Griya Santrian is very concerned about environmental aspects in its daily operations.

In the use of energy, for example, in this place at 23:00 WITA the automatic light system will automatically turn off. "For our use of high compressed water, it means that the water used becomes less because the water that comes out like dew due to high wind pressure," he explained.

For waste treatment, Griya Santrian chooses organic and non-organic waste. And try to reduce paper waste by making savings in the form of the use of paper back and forth. This has become a separate policy from the leader or owner. "We have implemented these policies in all three locations that we have, namely The Royal Santrian (Tanjung Benoa), Puri Santrian and Griya Santrian," said Gusde.

Gusde said, sustainability is something that is very important. Therefore, it is necessary for a hotel to take action to maintain a sustainable environment. This can be a plus, so the selling value will be higher. Because it has an appeal in terms of the environment.

On the other hand, protecting the environment will be something that can be passed on to our children and grandchildren later. "So that our children and grandchildren can still enjoy the beauty of nature," he concluded.

What Does Responsible Tourism Mean?

Fritzgerald William Wenur as Signing Blue Engagement added, being responsible in this case means being able to follow the established rules. Starting from managing energy, tourism actors are able to use energy-efficient equipment and follow programs developed. Such as the Denpasar Sewerage Development Project (DSDP) program in the Sewerage Development Project in Denpasar Bali which is an integrated waste treatment program by the government.

Environmental aspects are responsible for biodiversity and ecological footprint. Meanwhile, social, economic, and cultural empowerment is a form of responsibility for adat compliance. Effective management is also not free from responsibility for the legality of the company, workers' rights, and the company's ability to explore the creativity of its employees.

Over time, it seems that the dominant member of Signing Blue in Bali departs from the hospitality sector. This is because the number of hotels in Bali is more than any other tourist area. "Meanwhile, the number of recreational vessels in cooperation with Signing Blue is not as much as the hospitality, precisely 80 percent of hotels and the remaining 20 percent are recreational boats," said Gerald.

The development of tourism is increasingly becoming a challenge for all actors involved in it, not only the community that is an actor or government as a policy maker but tourism actors also have a great responsibility in protecting the environment, social and local culture in order to stay awake for the sustainability of the company's business certainly involves these three aspects.
The concept of understanding marine tourism has been initiated by WWF Indonesia since 2013 under the Signing Blue, Responsible Marine Tourism program and has been active since 2016. This program aims to help tourism actors improve their understanding of marine tourism to be more responsible.
Divine Diving, one of the Signing Blue member tour operators in Labuan Bajo, has been incorporated since 2018 and already has a high understanding of corporate responsibility towards the environment, social and culture in its workplace. This is evident from the results of the Signing Blue team's assessment and assessor on the performance of the Divine Diving business. In the first assessment Divine Diving has shown awareness and is willing to carry out responsible marine tourism activities by involving external parties (government, community, NGOs, guests and the public).
The percentage of compliance with environmental, socio-economic, and management principles increased from the first year assessment to the second year assessment. Improvement of compliance from the first year to the second year is 65% - 99%, Social Economic Culture (36% -80%), and Management from 91-98%.
 
When the second year Signing Blue assessment is conducted with interviews and observations, observations are adjusted to the Divine Diving trip. The Blue Signing Team and assessors visited 3 dive sites to assess their trip activities, namely Batu Bolong, Sebayur Besar and Manta Point. During diving, the dive guide understands how to give briefings to tourists and is able to explain the code of ethics on how to interact with protected animals and be able to collect data and information about manta rays and shark identities.
Responsibility is not only demonstrated in the pemahan of animals, but Divine Diving also made efforts in reducing the ecological footprint. Divine Diving has minimized the use of water in all activities and saves energy by using solar panels on ships. Divine Diving has included Standard Operating Procedures for the environment, promotion of responsible tourism material in its website content and applying WWF Indonesia's best practices guidelines in conducting its business.
Divine Diving also invites outsiders to engage in an understanding of the surrounding environment by being able to influence partners to jointly implement responsible marine tourism practices by organizing sharing sessions on location management areas, facilitating training on the impact of plastics on marine animals, stranded marine mammals, and is active in monitoring the Komodo National Park Area.
In the socio-economic principle, employees, especially divers, have implemented best practices by promoting tourism destinations and respecting local culture. Other best practices, they are able to work with local partners and recommend local shops, travel agents, hotels and other supporting businesses through the Diving Diving website, even Divine Diving also helps local communities by selling local handicrafts and buying company operations from the community local.
Signing Blue is targeting Diving Diving can reach Starfish 5, which is fully concerned with the sustainability and understanding of marine tourism both internal and external together with partners.

Six companies from the Coral Triangle region received an award for conducting a tourism business that is both sustainable and integrated. In addition to business activities, the six entrepreneurs in addition to prioritizing their business, they also actively support the conservation of coastal areas, marine life and their habitats, as well as helping the role of the community of the local community.

Six companies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste received awards through the Regional Business Forum for the Coral Triangle Initiative, for Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security or the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and The 4th Food Security (CTI-CFF) held in Nusa Dua, Bali, August 27-29, 2015.

Well, here are 6 entrepreneurs who get awards, namely:

Reef Seen Divers' Resort, Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia
Scuba Junkie, Mabul, Sabah, Malaysia
Madang Resort Hotel, Madang, Papua New Guinea
Evolution Diving, Malapascua, Cebu, Philippines
Oravae Cottage, Gizo, Solomon Islands
Dive Timor Lorosae, Dili, Timor-Leste

The assessment used is based on predetermined criteria, namely from how the company in supporting conservation, whether the company empowers local communities, whether the company supports the potential of the area by increasing the area's unique results, whether the company improves the quality of life of local communities, and finally in the use of technology using energy-efficient means.

What is expected from this award is to prioritize the important role of the private sector in ensuring that marine resources in the Coral Triangle region are managed sustainably. In addition, this award is also expected to be able to promote targeted resources, and support local communities to play a more active role in sustainable marine tourism so that the potential for marine tourism is increasingly on-point.

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The 4th Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) in Nusa Dua, Bali establishes 6 entrepreneurs sustainable marine tourism awards, namely: (1) Reef Seen Divers' Resort, Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia, (2) Scuba Junkie, Mabul, Sabah, Malaysia, (3) Madang Resort Hotel, Madang, Papua New Guinea, (4) Evolution Diving, Malapascua, Cebu, Philippines, (5) Oravae Cottage, Gizo, Solomon Islands and (6) Dive Timor Lorosae, Dili, Timor-Leste.

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Did you know, the 4th Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) in Nusa Dua, Bali established 6 sustainable marine tourism awards to 6 entrepreneurs, namely: Reef Seen Divers' Resort, Scuba Junkie, Madang Resort Hotel , Evolution Diving, Oravae Cottage, Dive Timor Lorosae.

The aim of the 4th Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is to promote the role of the private sector in marine tourism, promote directed resources, and support communities around the region to play a role in a sustainable economy.

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The 4th Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) in Bali establishes 6 entrepreneurs sustainable marine tourism awards.

The 6 businessmen are from Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Salomon Islands and East Timor.

Friend knows, the purpose of this marine tourism award is to support the coastal tourism sector in a sustainable manner.

"Sustainable" is the aspect of conservation, economic, social and culture around the coast can be directed and appropriate.

Progressive Indonesian hospitality brand, ARTOTEL has rebranded its social responsibility programme with the introduction of ARTOTEL Earth. Started in 2016 under the name ARTOTEL for Hope, the new programme is carried out in different ways by conducting the environmental campaign and raising social awareness through a series of art activities.

Known for championing the local creative industry, ARTOTEL has collaborated with a number of Indonesian artists to promote environmental sustainability through the art exhibition and workshop, generating the channel of visual communication to raise public awareness as well as involving the community to practice sustainability. This year’s programme includes fundraising for appointed social organisation and communities.

Since it was first established three years ago, the hotel debuted the ARTOTEL for Hope by raising awareness about dyslexia, featuring young artist, Aqil Prabowo. In 2017, ARTOTEL addressed the issue of mental health by inviting communities to use art as a healing therapy. Last year, ARTOTEL Indonesia collaborated with The Nature Conservancy Indonesia to help the rehabilitation initiative in Kalimantan, Borneo Island. The team at ARTOTEL invited two Indonesian artists to have first-hand experience visiting the conservation area and expressed their feeling through art to raise awareness about deforestation and forest preservation.

Since then, the hospitality company puts more focus on the ecology movement as a response to climate change and environmental degradation. In 2019, ARTOTEL Earth is the rebranded social responsibility expected to deliver a significant contribution to a specific field.

Through a collaboration with WWF Indonesia Foundation, ARTOTEL has committed to be the official partner of The Signing Blue Programme as an initiative to encourage tourism industry players to carry out responsible business practices that protect marine life and the wealth of maritime economy. Positioning itself towards the eco-friendly property, ARTOTEL has been showing its commitment by reducing plastic use at its properties across the region, regulating waste and contributing to marine sustainability.

“Through this commitment, all ARTOTEL Group properties will implement Eco-Friendly operational systems gradually in cooperation with WWF-Indonesia. Through ARTOTEL Earth, we are also open to collaborating with other local institutions that share the same vision and mission for environment,” says Erastus Radjimin, CEO of ARTOTEL Group.

ARTOTEL Earth was debuted with a collective exhibition by Mulyakarya, a collective artist from Yogyakarta that displays comic works and paintings that depict provocative yet awakening message about the artists Catur and Yudha Sandy’s experience visiting Indonesia’s famous destinations and its excessive single plastic use problem caused by over-tourism. Running until 31 January 2020, the exhibition from Mulyakarya is also available for purchase where a percentage of the profit will be donated to WWF Indonesia.

Another partnership with TRI Upcycle, a social enterprise that manufactures recycled goods to reduce environmental waste, ARTOTEL Earth has collected used linens from all properties to be transformed into a grocery bag that can be purchased by guests. All proceeds from the grocery bag sale will be donated to WWF-Indonesia and TRI Upcycle, and it will be allocated for tree planting programme in Central Kalimantan.  

During December, ARTOTEL will set aside IDR 10,000 from every room sold to donate to WWF Indonesia, which will be used for maritime life preservation and plastic waste management program in Indonesia. In return, the guests will receive a comic zine by Mulyakarya that tells a story about the lack of a waste management system in Labuan Bajo. Non-staying guests are also able to purchase the comic, available ARTOTEL properties across the country with a price at IDR 10,000. The selling of the comic will also be donated to WWF Indonesia.

Sophie, an instructor at Dive Komodo, a tour operator company, is giving a briefing to a number of tourists who will be diving in the Komodo National Park (TN). He introduced the crew, existing facilities such as refill water, dive sites, and how to prevent environmental destruction. He informed that this national park is a water conservation area and is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. “Don't take anything, don't touch the coral because it takes so long to grow,” this woman remembers. Not only as a World Heritage Site, the marine area of Komodo National Park has also been recognized by the Man and Nature Biosphere Reserve and The New Seven Wonders of Nature. The entire area is worthy of conservation. To reduce pressure on regional damage, Signing Blue was formed, an agreement on sustainable and environmentally friendly natural tourism practices. A number of tour operators have joined such as Dive Komodo, Divine Diving and Flores XP. However, there are many more other entrepreneurs who have not been involved.

Susi Yanti Kamil, WWF-Indonesia staff in Labuan Bajo said that the entrepreneurs involved in the Signing Blue program were committed to environmental preservation. Also implementing good practices and ship management to reduce waste. For example using refill water and sorting and collecting organic and inorganic waste. His party also encourages community-based waste management by holding a number of training sessions for community groups. "The garbage collected on the ship is brought ashore to be sorted," he said. If allowed to accumulate on the island it is very easy to be carried out to sea during high tide. Based on a study conducted by the Regional Government of West Manggarai together with the Komodo National Park Office in 2016, around 13 tonnes of waste is produced in the national park area and Labuan Bajo in one day. Most of the sources are in housing, then restaurants, and roadside. At present there is a lot more organic waste, so it is proposed that waste be sorted from the source, then processed by TPS 3R (reduce, recycle, reuse) units, then the rest will just go to the Final Disposal Site (TPA). Preparation of short and long term scenarios regarding the need for facilities, investment costs, and the volume of waste that can be processed must also be carried out.

Martha Muslin, manager of Wicked Diving who actively campaigns for sustainable tourism also sees this waste problem as very crucial if it is not addressed. In one event, he and more than 100 divers from various countries combed the waters of a number of busy islands in the Dive for Debris campaign to transport dozens of sacks of trash. Fabi, a dive master, said that marine activity in the Komodo National Park area is getting higher because the number of visitors has increased. Currently, it is estimated that more than 107 thousand visitors per year come to this area. Not only seeing Komodo dragons on land, many tourists also want to see sharks and manta rays in the sea. "Maybe the manta population [now] is decreasing, before we could see so many of them every day," he said. An area sometimes congested. At sea level snorkeling and under diving activities. It could be that the density of sea activity reduces the comfort of the animals. The more tourists, the more trash. Especially with the development of recreational boats or liveaboards which have been booming in recent years. Living on board tourism or eating and sleeping on a ship in this area makes the risk of waste pollution at sea higher.

Traveling on recreational boats often targets traveling to areas that are still remote, protected, far from government monitoring, with minimal facilities and infrastructure. Even though ecologically, the intended location may be important for certain animals and ecosystems. The 2010 International Sustainable Travel Data, mentions that in the context of sea transportation for recreational purposes, a number of studies have shown environmental impacts. Traveling on a recreational boat means moving all types of tourist activities that are usually carried out on land to being on the water. For this reason, good recreational ship tourism management is not only important to ensure the safety of the tourism activities themselves, but also to maintain the sustainability and beauty of the destination area. For example, pollution due to residual engine oil, waste produced by the crew or passengers of ships, waste water originating from use on ships and containing detergents, and air pollution due to engine noise.

Then, how can tourism contribute to reducing waste so it doesn't pollute the sea? Best Environmental Equitable Practices (BEEP) or Practical Guidelines for Responsible Recreational Ship Operations have been prepared by WWF-Indonesia, supported by the Indonesian Recreational Ship Network (JANGKAR) and academics. A number of good practices recommended by this guide are providing sufficient landfills for Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3), organic and non-organic waste separately so that it is possible to store it until the ship returns to port. For ships measuring 100 GT or more, they must at least be equipped with oil pollution prevention equipment which includes oil and water separator equipment, sludge tanks, and standard discharge connections. For ships with a number of sailors 15 people up to 100 GT ships must have equipment to prevent contamination by sewage which includes sewage treatment equipment, sewage crushing equipment, and/or sewage storage tanks, as well as standard disposal connections.

On land, waste disposal is carried out through pumps/discharge connections at ports which will be forwarded to waste treatment facilities on land. Where pump/sewer connection facilities are not available, there are several chemical (biodegradable) cleaners or mechanical devices that can be used to reduce solid and hazardous waste before disposal. Guidance for tourists in principle is to educate tourists not to throw garbage in the sea, including small trash such as cigarette butts. Tourists are asked to manage their waste during the trip. According to data from The United Nations of Environment (UNEP) in 2001, most tourists visiting developing countries use ten times more water than local people. This pattern is certainly not efficient in a voyage, especially if the ship is leaning in areas where clean water is scarce. For gallons of drinking water, tourists must refill it, so there is no need to bring packaging to reduce waste. Management of clean water on board must also be considered by the crew.

*See the article https://www.mongabay.co.id/2017/12/18/mengurai-tekanan-limbah-laut-di-kawasan-taman-nasional-komodo/