destinasea

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.

Today, Labuan Bajo, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara is one of the best marine tourism spots in Indonesia for domestic and foreign tourists. Its uniqueness makes Flores Diving Center one of the best marine tourism and dive operators. Tourists are welcomed with a sense of community, fun and personal but also professional. The philosophy behind the Flores Diving Center's slogan, 'It's More Fun with Us' with meaning 'It's more fun (diving) with us', really makes divers come back to dive with Flores Diving Centre. Divers are warmly welcomed and treated as family by the staff, dive masters and dive instructors.

Flores Diving Center was founded in 2013 with an emphasis on environmental sustainability principles. The vision is to provide the best and personalized service according to the customer's wishes for an unforgettable diving experience in Komodo National Park. The mission of Flores Diving Center is to consistently contribute to the management of nature conservation, waste reduction and apply best practices in the management of biodiversity on land as well as at sea.

Various diving activities are held by Flores Diving Center, these include day trips for marine tourism or so called ‘daily trips' and trips to stay a few days on a 'liveaboard' boat. On each dive trip, Flores Diving Center serves different snacks and lunches, without fish on the menu. This is inspired by concerns for the preservation of fish habitats around Komodo National Park. Flores Diving Center has partnered with a local restaurant to provide a different snack and lunch each week as well as a vegetarian menu to cater to the diverse dietary needs of customers.

In addition to day trips or several days at sea, Flores Diving Center has initiated a program to preserve underwater and above sea biodiversity entitled 'Eco Diving'. The Eco Diving Program launched in 2018, is a non-profit program carried out by Flores Diving Center and a collection of divers and snorkeling communities to clean land and the sea. This Eco Diving Program has become a leading inspiration for the dive community and the snorkeling community, as stated by Cinzia Mariolini, the owner of Flores Diving Center, “The Eco Diving Program is very well received because Eco Diving activities make the hearts of divers happy by doing something fun. And have a real positive impact on the earth and the preservation of the sea.” Apart from the Eco Diving program, Flores Diving Center is involved and actively participates with environmental activist communities such as Trash Hero which focuses on beach cleaning activities.

Joining Signing Blue

In accordance with the vision and mission of Flores Diving Center that is committed to environmental harmony in its role as a marine tourism operator, in 2017 the Flores Diving Center became a member of Signing Blue, a program initiated by the WWF-Indonesia. It has three pillars, namely aspects of the natural environment through marine biodiversity and reduction of the ecological footprint, socio-cultural aspects, and aspects of management effectiveness. In 2018, Flores Diving Center continued to strive to develop environmental sustainability in its business which had positive results, namely getting three Starfish Signing Blue awards.

Positive things that are felt and have been developed after becoming a member of Signing Blue is creating a Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) and guidelines on conservation and the environment so that Flores Diving Center can continue to strive to be more sustainable, both in terms of professionalism, business, and maritime tourism marketing. In a sustainable manner, Flores Diving Center follows the SOP and criteria from Signing Blue for ship waste disposal, and as much as possible the Flores Diving Center uses environmentally friendly boats. Flores Diving Center implements waste management activities by separating waste and placing them in big boxes instead of conventional plastic waste bags, so that they can be reused. Flores Diving Center has a policy in implementing waste management activities in the Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3) waste management system during dive operations. The waste generated is divided into organic, inorganic and hazardous waste. In collaboration with a local waste management company, Flores Diving Center separates office waste and recycles plastic bottles and glass bottles.

Flores Diving Center participates in the “No Single Use Plastic” program, which is a policy to not use single-use food containers, single-use plastic cutlery and disposable drinking water containers. This has been implemented and regularly reminded to guests by the staff and employees of Flores Diving Center. Water dispensers are available in the office and on board, along with hygienically guaranteed glasses. On the social, economic and cultural aspects, Flores Diving Center promotes local products and businesses by directly referring to local restaurants and hotels. Apart from that, all office equipment and diving equipment are manufactured in Indonesia. The human resources recruited by Flores Diving Center also prioritize the local community, namely people from the West Manggarai community.

Change During the Pandemic

Entering the pandemic period in 2020, the Flores Diving Center updated their Cleanliness Health Safety Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) protocol to be in line with 'New Normal' practices. The health and safety protocols implemented include checking body temperature before entering the office and boarding boats, having a log for checking everyone's body temperature, providing hand washing facilities, hand sanitizers, cleaning solutions containing antiseptics for offices, mini bars, and kitchens.

Flores Diving Center has also posted a written appeal to remind guests and staff to follow the CHSE protocol according to government regulations for a new normal lifestyle. For diving equipment, guests are encouraged to wash their diving equipment before and after diving with the water containers provided on the boat. After the diving activity is finished, the staff will wash the diving equipment again in designated areas of the office. Guests have also been advised to bring their own refillable drinking water bottles. This advice is informed to guests when they come to the office for registration and coordination sessions before diving activities.

In relation to waste management during the pandemic, Flores Diving Center took the initiative to provide a special disposal site for used face masks. This is one of the ways to deal with hazardous waste during the pandemic, so as not to endanger the environment. The environment has become quite vulnerable from waste products created by the pandemic, mainly due to various hazardous materials from disposable masks and personal protective equipment that have been used during the pandemic. During the pandemic, the focus of Flores Diving Center's activities is to keep assets, especially boats and diving equipment, in a well-maintained condition so that they can be used properly. In addition, asset maintenance activities carried out by staff will continue to keep staff working and staying productive during the pandemic.

Flores Diving Center is extremely optimistic that by being a member of Signing Blue and having followed WWF-Indonesia's assessment criteria for environmental sustainability, conservation-oriented, environmentally friendly in terms of internal management, guests feel more confident and comfortable doing marine tourism activities together with Flores Diving Centre. The positive sustainability changes that have been made have inspired the community and guests who care about the marine tourism environment.

Eco Diving activities, divers are given sacks as trash containers

Sumber: Flores Diving Centre

Flores Diving Center not only promotes its own business through social media, but also promotes how to maintain the beauty of Labuan Bajo through their Eco Diving program. The hope is to maintain the beauty of the underwater scenery, by keeping it free of garbage, tourists will still be interested in diving with Flores Diving Center at the great sites around Labuan Bajo, Komodo Islands and Flores Islands. Flores Diving Center is optimistic and wants to prove that once the community is used to the 'new normal' and the borders have been opened, divers will come back to Labuan Bajo. Efforts to keep Flores Diving Center active with environmental conservation activities are done by documenting Eco Diving program activities and sharing them on Instagram @floresdivingcentre social media platform, Flores Diving Center Facebook, and their website www.floresdivingcentre.com.

Strategically located in the commercial area of South Jakarta, Favehotel Gatot Subroto is an ideal hotel for businessmen, tourists and families. The Ondel-ondel statue and the mural of the National Monument, which is an icon of Jakarta can both be seen from the hotel. Favehotel Gatot Subroto was officially launched in 2013 with the tagline 'Fun, Fresh, and Friendly' which is very fitting to describe the atmosphere of Favehotel Gatot Subroto, equipped with supporting facilities, namely 150 comfortable rooms of the Faveroom type, Lime Cafe & Bar restaurant serving typical nusantara food, Spa, meeting rooms, to karaoke rooms for the satisfaction of the travelers. Favehotel Gatot Subroto is also actively involved in the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI).

Favehotel Gatot Subroto is committed to running sustainable tourism and realizes the importance of maintaining environmental sustainability as well as contributing to the socio-economic support of the local community. Earth Hour is an activity that is carried out every year by involving guests to turn off the lights for one hour. Monthly local area cleaning activities are carried out by the hotel staff. The month of Ramadan is always memorable, Favehotel Gatot Subroto holds an iftar event with local residents. It was this realization that made Favehotel Gatot Subroto join Signing Blue, a marine tourism improvement program from WWF - Indonesia. Favehotel Gatot Subroto joined Signing Blue in February 2021.

Favehotel Gatot Subroto has always carried out activities to support sustainability, such as always being active in local environmental cleaning activities which are in collaboration with local officials. Favehotel Gatot Subroto is aware of the current plastic waste problem and supports the 'no single use plastic' program in its hotels such as replacing the use of single-use plastic bottles by providing drinking water in the rooms, and guests can refill from mineral water dispensers located on every floor of the hotel.

In addition to providing mineral water dispensers for guests, Favehotel Gatot Subroto has a movement to bring reusable mineral water bottles for all hotel staff. This is an effort to overcome the problem of plastic waste as well as making a saving in the budgets. Nyoman Iswara, the General Manager of Favehotel Gatot Subroto Jakarta said, "Real savings are around 10-15% from the current use of mineral water dispensers compared to the use of mineral water in plastic bottles. We renegotiated with the garbage company, which previously came to pick up garbage every day, now after the replacement of the garbage carrier it comes every three days.”

Favehotel Gatot Subroto provides bamboo toothbrushes that can be taken home and used repeatedly and is more environmentally friendly. Disposable packaging is no longer found in Favehotel rooms, where soap and shampoo are available in dispensers, this is in line with Archipelago International's directives.

Lime Cafe & Bar is a restaurant owned by Favehotel Gatot Subroto, they serve Indonesian specialties and special local food with a certain theme that changes from time to time, such as Martabak, Mie Ayam, Soto Bogor, and others. Takeaway food box packaging made of paper is used to replace plastic box packaging. Of course, Lime Cafe & Bar does not provide single-use plastic straws.

The use of natural lighting is maximized by Favehotel Gatot Subroto by using an automatic setting system. In addition, Favehotel Gatot Subroto has replaced conventional bulbs with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a large investment but savings of 25-30% can be felt every month.

Favehotel Gatot Subroto has good waste management by separating organic and non-organic waste, they are in collaboration with local waste companies for waste removal. Regarding Toxic and Hazardous Material (B3) waste, Favehotel Gatot Subroto has designated a certified B3 special area.

To support sustainable tourism, socio-economic and cultural aspects are important for Favehotel Gatot Subroto. This hotel is a disabled & elderly friendly hotel. The shape of the ground floor is flat, wheelchairs are available, and has connecting rooms to support the comfort and satisfaction of guests with special needs.

Favehotel Gatot Subroto gives priority to Indonesian employees and always opens opportunities for College of Tourism students to conduct Field Work Training and has collaborated with Sahid University, Idea Indonesia in Lampung, Trisakti and several other universities. The management of Favehotel Gatot Subroto believes that the training that has been carried out at the hotel by these students provides knowledge which prepares them for work in the tourism sector, especially hospitality. This can be seen from several Favehotel Gatot Subroto staff who participated in such Field Work Training before joining the hotel staff. Trainings for permanent staff are carried out regularly, each staff member is required to attend a minimum of eight hours of training every month with training topics tailored to individual jobs. The trainings carried out are directly proportional to the results of guest satisfaction and can be seen from ReviewPro, a system that can view all comments from various platforms such as TripAdvisor, Facebook, and other Online Travel Agents.

Information About Reducing Plastic

Source: Tim Signing Blue | WWF-Indonesia

Facing the Pandemic Period

With very good conditions before the Pandemic, Favehotel Gatot Subroto is the place of choice for business people and tourists traveling to Jakarta. Currently, Favehotel Gatot Subroto is trying to focus on local and domestic guests by offering attractive promo packages.

Favehotel Gatot Subroto made preparations for the comfort and safety of guests by successfully going through the process of getting the 'I Do Care' or Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) of the Republic of Indonesia in November 2020.

Standard Operating Procedures have been updated and must be followed by all staff and guests. The addition of hand washing basins, hand sanitizers, and signs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been implemented. Guests are required to have their temperature checked and wash their hands before entering the hotel area, then register using an online system. Moreover, guests are reminded to maintain a safe distance and minimize direct contact.

Signs for mandatory wearing of masks, diligent hand washing, and social distancing have been placed at many points in the hotel area. The process of room sterilization and disinfection is carried out when guests leave the room. The meeting room has been arranged so that meeting participants can maintain a safe distance. All staff are required to test using Rapid Antigen every month. 

Favehotel Gatot Subroto hopes that the tourism sector can bounce back. Favehotel Gatot Subroto used this opportunity to repair and rejuvenate the entire hotel building, especially the rooms, in preparation for receiving guests when things begin to return to normal. Not only that, Favehotel Gatot Subroto empowers its small gardens to grow food ingredients that can later be used in the kitchen, such as chili, papaya, and various other vegetables.

As a tourism actor who cares about environmental sustainability, Favehotel Gatot Subroto plans to install Solar Panels. Furthermore, additional mineral water dispensers will be installed in the near future for the convenience of guests and is in the process of adding a special area for independent waste management.

Jakarta is the capital city and the business center of Indonesia. Economic development first started in Jakarta and spread through trade to various other provinces throughout Indonesia. The Betawi culture of Jakarta is a separate tourist attraction for many businesspeople and tourists. Currently, the economy is gradually recovering, thanks to the government's national economic recovery program as well as Indonesia’s openness for economic discussions with other countries. As the world advances its research and technology to cope with the pandemic, we must see this as a great opportunity for innovations to help develop a better future.

Located in Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta, Red Planet Jakarta, is part of the Red Planet Hotel International network headquartered in Bangkok Thailand. Surrounded by entertainment and office centers, it is an ideal location for business and leisure travelers. Established in 2012, with the concept of Value Budget Hotel, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru has 168 energetic rooms. Only 6 kilometers from Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, the largest entertainment venue in Jakarta, also close to the Presidential Palace and the National Monument, which is an icon of Jakarta. With a target market of business people and tourists, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru is strategically located to accommodate their needs. Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru is an active member of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI).

With energetic rooms, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru is equipped with all the needs of a tech-savvy guest, namely fast Wi-Fi and multiple outlet ports. All communications with hotel staff can be done using the Red Planet Hotel’s application.

Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru is a hotel that cares about environmental sustainability and is very aware of the problem of plastic waste, which has become a global problem. Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru supports the 'No Single Use Plastic' program by providing mineral water dispensers on each floor and glass drinking water containers in each room to replace the use of single-use plastic bottles. In collaboration with a social company, ReThink Kit, necessities such as toothbrushes made of bamboo, toothpaste, sandals, cutlery such as spoons and forks made of bamboo, and other accessories in bags made of cassava can be obtained at the reception if needed. Bath soap and shampoo are available in dispensers in the bathrooms, there are no more necessities in single-use packaging. This is an effort in tackling waste to address the concern for the environment, and is directly proportional to the perceived savings. As stated by Eron Arasman, Hotel Manager of Red Planet Jakarta, Pasar Baru, “We no longer use mineral water bottles in single-use plastic bottles and replace them with glass water bottles where guests can refill mineral water from the dispenser provided at every restaurant. floor in early 2019, we saw a 70% savings as we no longer bought mineral water bottles and a decrease in the frequency of picking up trash.”

Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru collaborates with the SeaMonkey Project and 4Oceans, an organization that produces necklaces and bracelets made of plastic that usually ends up in the ocean, makes various souvenirs and these souvenirs are sustainably and ethically produced. The proceeds are used for ocean cleaning programs.

Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru has replaced the entire lighting system with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) since 2016 for the sake of energy conservation and has installed a motion sensor in the lobby area, the lights will turn off automatically when not in use. The investment made for this effort was quite large, but is proportional to the achieved benefits as a savings rate of 20% is regularly being achieved, a significant amount in the long run.

Efforts to prevent environmental pollution have been carried out by Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru, namely by monitoring the storage of diesel fuel for electricity generators, so that there are no leaks that can cause pollution.

Every year, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru, takes part in Earth Hour by turning off electricity at certain hours and urging guests to participate. In 2019, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru participated in the government program, World Clean Up Day, the hotel location became a meeting point and hotel staff became the coordinators of the event.

Having good waste management, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru separates waste according to categories, namely wet and dry waste, and Toxic and Hazardous (B3) waste. Segregation of waste is carried out in the garbage disposal area of the hotel. Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru has provided a special area for B3 waste, certified by the local government.

Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru supports sustainable tourism programs, not only is the hotel a hotel that cares about environmental sustainability, but this hotel also supports social, cultural and economic support. Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru is a hotel that is friendly to guests with special needs. Wheelchair access is available in front of the lobby for easy access to the hotel area. A special room for guests with special needs which is wider and with a sliding door for the bathroom divider, as well as a shower soap and shampoo dispenser lower than the other rooms, all for the convenience of guests with special needs.

Red Planet Jakarta, Pasar Baru conducted an educational program in collaboration with ReThink to educate students of the Tourism Vocational High School (SMK) on Jalan Kartini Jakarta, regarding environmental training and workshops on making environmentally friendly bags. Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru, donated a study table and reading lamp to an elementary school in Gunung Sahari, Jakarta, as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

All staff of Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru are permanent employees with 100% of the staff being Indonesian citizens, an effort to support the socio-economic community. Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru ensures that all staff receive regular training both online and offline in order to provide the best service to guests and visitors alike. The results of the trainings can be seen from the guest satisfaction reviews on ReviewMe internally, and prospective guests can see reviews on TripAdvisor and other Online Travel Agents.

In line with the sustainability concept of Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru, Signing Blue is a perfect complement, moreover, it is from an internationally trusted legal entity. Signing Blue is a marine tourism improvement program, the brainchild of the WWF-Indonesia Foundation. This togetherness of concepts has allowed Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru to collaborate with Signing Blue since September of 2020. Various benefits come with the guidance in making changes that have a positive impact on the local environment and socio-economics.

Red Planet Jakarta, during good business conditions, will have an 80% occupancy rate. Currently, Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru focuses on guest safety programs, especially in the health sector and provides attractive stay promo packages in collaboration with Online Travel Agents. These discounted packages are also available from the Hotel website and application.

Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru has successfully prepared for the process of obtaining the 'I Do Care' or Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmentally Sustainable (CHSE) certificate in August 2020 issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenkraf) Republic of Indonesia. Adequate Standard Operating Procedures have been established and must be followed by all staff and guests. The addition of hand washing basins, hand sanitizers, and signs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been implemented. Guests are required to check their temperature and wash their hands before entering the hotel area. If the guest is a foreigner, the guest is required to show a negative result from the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Signs for wearing masks, diligent hand washing, and maintaining social distance have been placed at many points in the hotel area. The sterilization and disinfection process in the room is often carried out when guests check out. The entire staff of Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru, periodically conducts Antigen Rapid Tests for the convenience and safety of their guests.

Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru has carried out several strategies for the future, both in terms of business and in terms of environmental sustainability. One example of a strategy in terms of business is to set the CHSE protocol into a permanent protocol. To sustain the environment, Red Planet Jakarta, Pasar Baru plans to collaborate with related parties to maintain the cleanliness of the Ciliwung River, this activity will be carried out when activity restrictions are gradually relaxed. The various concerns about the environment in Jakarta are clear evidence of the struggle of the Indonesian people, including various companies and hotels that are always active to preserve a clean and healthy culture. The return of normal life free from the pandemic as well as the improvement of the global economy are the hopes of all entrepreneurs in Jakarta.

This significant economic movement in 2021 is an opportunity in various fields, Jakarta in particular and Indonesia as a whole. Business people have started to return to their activities with more creativity, the hotel has become a complement to the various opportunities available.

Hotel Red Planet Jakarta Pasar Baru, which actively responds positively to their customers’ needs, is clear evidence of hope and support for the government's economic recovery program. All this to make sure this pandemic period can pass as expected.

Strategically located near Jakarta, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi, part of the Red Planet Hotel International network which has its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. It is close to entertainment centers and offices, ideal for business and leisure travelers. Established in 2014, with the concept of Value Budget Hotel, it has 157 energetic rooms and meeting rooms with a capacity of 40 people. Red Planet Bekasi is ideal for businessmen and recreational seekers, close to entertainment areas, within walking distance of Mall Blue Plaza Bekasi, and close to industrial areas. Red Planet Bekasi is actively involved in the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI).

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi is a hotel that is aware of its environmental sustainability. With energetic rooms, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi is equipped with everything a tech-savvy traveler needs, such as fast Wi-Fi and multiple outlets. Red Planet Bekasi carries out several activities in an effort to reduce waste. In collaboration with ReThink Kit, necessities such as bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste, sandals, cutlery such as bamboo spoons and forks, and other accessories can be obtained at the reception if needed. Bath soap and shampoo are available in dispensers in the bathrooms, there are no more necessities in single-use packaging. Similarly, the provision of mineral water dispensers on each floor and glass drinking water containers in each room to replace the use of mineral water in single-use plastic bottles. This is an effort to tackle waste and a form of concern for the environment and is directly proportional to the perceived savings, as stated by Kevin Marcel, Hotel Manager of Red Planet Hotel Bekasi, "We saved approximately 10 million Rupiah when replacing the use of mineral water in single-use plastic bottles to glass water containers that guests can fill in the water dispensers provided on each floor. This is very much supported by our staying guests because the guests already understand the importance of supporting the program to prevent the use of plastic that is harmful to the environment.”

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi collaborates with the SeaMonkey Project, an organization that produces necklaces made of plastic that usually ends up in the ocean, their souvenirs are produced sustainably and ethically, and the proceeds are used for ocean cleaning programs.

Every year, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi commemorates Earth Hour and Earth Day. During Earth Hour, they turn off the electricity at certain hours and guests are urged to participate. During Earth Day, they help clean up the local area. In 2019 Red Planet Hotel Bekasi participated in the government program, namely Clean Up Day and facilitated an organization with the theme 'Goodbye Single Use Plastic'. Red Planet Hotel Bekasi succeeded in inviting a partner, namely a Laundry partner, to deliver the laundry using a cloth bag.

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has replaced their entire lighting system with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for energy conservation and have installed a motion sensor in the lobby area, the lights will turn off automatically when not in use. In this effort, savings of 10-20 million Rupiah are achieved every month.

Having good waste management, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi separates waste according to categories, namely wet and dry waste, and Toxic and Hazardous Material (B3) waste. Segregation of waste is carried out in the garbage disposal area located in the hotel area. Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has provided a special area for B3 waste which has been certified by the local government. The garbage collection in the hotel area does not use single-use plastic, but uses tarpaulin material that can be washed and reused.

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi special-needs friendly hotel. There is wheelchair access in front of the lobby for easy access to the hotel area. A special room for guests with special needs which is wider where the bathroom divider is a sliding door with a shower soap and shampoo dispenser lower than the other rooms for the convenience of guests with special needs.

All staff of Red Planet Hotel Bekasi are permanent employees with most of them being residents of Bekasi City, this to support local socio-economic conditions. Red Planet Hotel Bekasi ensures that all staff receive regular training both online and offline in order to provide the best service to guests and visitors alike. The training programs carried out are not only about guest satisfaction, but also on safety and comfort, one example is the Crisis Management training which is conducted annually by inviting the Fire Department (DAMKAR) to provide training at the hotel regarding handling of fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Red Planet Hotel Bekasi opens opportunities for students of the Department of Tourism to conduct Field Work Training programs at the hotel, one of which is in collaboration with the Paramita Tourism Academy in Bekasi City. Red Planet Hotel Bekasi monitors guest reviews which they respond to daily, to try to maintain a standard value of guest satisfaction.

Joining Signing Blue

In accordance with the sustainability concept that Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has had since its inception, Signing Blue is the perfect complement as an internationally trusted legal entity. Signing Blue is a marine tourism improvement program of WWF-Indonesia. This togetherness of concepts has allowed Red Planet Hotel Bekasi to collaborate with Signing Blue since October of 2020. Various benefits have already been seen, thanks to guidance in making changes that have a positive impact on the local environment and socio-economics.

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has benefited since joining Signing Blue, as now guests understand the importance of preserving the environment, and are interested in and support programs related to the sustainability of their lives. The Signing Blue team guides Red Planet Hotel Bekasi to be even more 'green', one of the results is that Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has obtained a permit and certification from the Bekasi City government regarding the Temporary Shelter (TPS) for B3 waste.

Prior to the Pandemic, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi was in good business condition, reaching 80% occupancy rate. Currently, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi focuses on guest safety programs, especially in the health sector and provides attractive stay promo packages in collaboration with Online Travel Agents as well as on their website and application.

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has successfully prepared for the process of getting the 'I Do Care' or Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmentally Sustainable (CHSE) certificate in January 2021 issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenkraf) Republic of Indonesia. Standard Operating Procedures have been established and must be followed by all staff and guests. The addition of hand washing basins, hand sanitizers, and signs to help prevent the spread COVID-19 virus have been implemented. Guests who come are required to check their temperature and wash their hands before entering the hotel area. Signs for wearing masks, diligent hand washing, and maintaining social distance have been placed throughout the hotel area. The sterilization and disinfection process in the room is often carried out when guests leave. One isolation room has been provided to anticipate ill guests, the room has provided a First Aid Kit (P3K), and Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has collaborated with the nearest hospital, Siloam Hospital Bekasi, which have oxygen cylinders prepared specifically for Red Planet Hotel guests.

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi has implemented several strategies for its future, both in terms of business and in terms of environmental sustainability. One example of a strategy in terms of business is to make stay vouchers with a long validity period and provide competitive prices for stays in the coming years. In an effort for sustainability, Red Planet Hotel Bekasi is in the process of making a new water management system, namely the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) program or Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant. At this stage waste treatment is carried out so that the waste does not add to water pollution and the surrounding environment, which in turn allows the water to be reused for the bathroom, all without reducing the comfort of the guests of course.

Red Planet Hotel Bekasi is optimistic that once activity and holiday restrictions have been lifted, the tourism industry will gradually recover. Times like this are the time to renovate rooms and some areas of the hotel to prepare for when borders and activity restrictions are released. The room rejuvenation program at Red Planet Hotel Bekasi is the 'One Day One Room', where room rejuvenation is carried out one room a day, complete with General Cleaning, as well as a thorough cleaning of the area by the housekeeping team. The clean and healthy concept in Bekasi and its neighboring city — Jakarta, is a real action that builds a better future.

To get through the pandemic, we hope people will see life more optimistically and dynamically. High are the hopes that the ongoing economic recovery program, both locally and globally, will provide a golden opportunity for anyone. With a variety of creative habit changes, the government hopes that the community will adapt positively through the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Strategically located in South Jakarta, Komunal 88 is a restaurant and cafe inspired by various culinary cultures such as Italy and France, the Middle East, to Brooklyn in the United States. Officially launched in December 2014, Komunal 88 has been a sustainable business concept in terms of environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability which are based on three principles. Such principles consist of being responsible for the ecosystem, being responsible for fellow humans, and being responsible for the future generation. This similarity of concepts and principles has allowed Komunal 88 to collaborate with Signing Blue since the beginning of 2017. Signing Blue is a marine tourism improvement program from the WWF-Indonesia Foundation. 

'Artisanal' defines Komunal 88 as a restaurant that creates nutritious and delicious food, from spices, raw materials to served, using conventional methods and using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Komunal 88 buys its raw materials from the Kramat Jati Main Market, South Jakarta.

Komunal 88 is committed to using sustainable food ingredients. Specifically for seafood, Komunal 88 seeks to purchase its seafood from sustainable seafood suppliers who have been certified by Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIP) and have joined Seafood Savers. Primarily, it is important for Komunal 88 to know the fishing methods, types and sizes of fish that are suitable for consumption, in line with guidelines for seafood sustainability. Jean Christian, Founder and Owner of Komunal 88, said, "A movement started in California, United States called 'The Ocean Friendly Restaurant', gives customers a unique dining experience with the feeling of joy knowing that customers are not harming the ocean. Buying sustainable seafood is part of our sustainability efforts.”

Since its inception, Komunal 88 has welcomed the 'No Single Use Plastic' program, other various efforts have been made so that there is no single use in any case, such as using linen napkins instead of using tissue napkins, using silicone placemats instead of paper mats, and they do not provide disposable cups. It doesn't stop there, providing take away packaging that can be reused with a deposit, as stated by Jean Christian. “We use reusable take away packaging and customers have to give Rp. 35,000,- as a deposit, then when the customer returns the package, we return the money. We believe everything that is created, for example packaging, must have value for reuse.” This is a responsible effort towards a sustainable ecosystem.

In general, Komunal 88 built the restaurant and the entire building to be as neutral as possible to the environment. To reduce its electrical consumption, Communal 88 buildings minimize the use of electricity by maximizing natural lighting and using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). 

In terms of water management, Komunal 88 uses a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) system and the AquaCell system, a system that can maximize water infiltration. All wastewater from restaurants and buildings is collected and channeled back underground without disturbing the City Waterworks. In addition, Komunal 88 has a Reverse Osmosis system to produce drinking water and sparkling water which are in turn packaged in glass bottles. The Reverse Osmosis water system is a big investment but can avoid tens of thousands of single-use plastic bottles and avoid the carbon footprint associated with transporting single-use plastic bottles from the factory to the Komunal 88 location. By producing drinking water independently, it is certainly more profitable than buying drinking water in single-use plastic bottles.

As a restaurant that is aware of environmental sustainability, Komunal 88 makes a lot of efforts in waste management. Komunal 88 designs their menus in such a way that the raw materials are used for more than one item on the menu. Next is the use of all parts of an animal, for example Salmon, Komunal 88 buys whole Salmon which is certified sustainable, uses the fillet meat and all the leftovers such as bones and heads are made into broth and then used in other menus.

Komunal 88 started collaborating with Waste4Change in 2017, a local waste management company. Waste4Change helps in understanding how to manage waste properly. The restaurant’s waste is 60-65% organic, this organic waste is sent to the relevant agencies to make animal feed and compost. In March 2021, Komunal 88 also started collaborating with Rekosistem, a small local company engaged in waste management in South Jakarta.

Jean Christian, said, “It is important for us to maintain the ecosystem as well as protect the community. We choose to work with social enterprises that share our concerns. These social enterprises work with recycled materials and have a social component to their activities.”

Komunal 88 collaborates with Smell The Perfume, a small social enterprise from Indonesia that works exclusively with women, providing skills training and job opportunities that have a direct socio-economic impact. Komunal 88 is also collaborating with Topiku, a small Indonesian social company that works to provide the Social Security Administration Agency (BPJS) for scavengers by recycling black plastic buckets into hats. Komunal 88 decided to collaborate with various social companies by providing a place in the restaurant to extend the products so that customers who have the same mind and morals can buy these products and all sales proceeds are handed over to these social companies.

Communal 88 regularly holds local market events on weekends to help local artisans working in the upcycling field of recycling. All selected collaborators display their products at the local market event, these were selected based on social values, skills, and dedication. Communal 88 is very supportive of Small Businesses and craftsmen to help the local socio-economics.

As a sustainable business player, Komunal 88 has several employees who have worked since the beginning of the restaurant's opening and prioritized promoting employees internally. They prioritize hiring Indonesian citizens, and all employees are permanent employees with good contracts. Communal 88 supports gender equality by employing and promoting women in the workplace. The trainings are carried out continuously to maintain high standards, the food made at Komunal 88 is not conventional Indonesian food, so the kitchen staff often attend training to achieve the desired taste and texture.

Entering the Pandemic period, Komunal 88 survived by realizing that all staff and management were going through the same situation and conditions. To further deal with the Covid-19 Pandemic, Komunal 88 collaborated with Government Apparatuses to conduct training and comply with health protocols, such as adding basins for washing hands and providing hand sanitizers in several restaurant areas.

Komunal 88 hopes that the situation will gradually return to normal where people can enjoy their freedom again and enjoy their sustainable culinary meals. Seared Tuna dish, for example, a thematic dish created by Komunal 88 for summer 2021. Sustainable Tuna from the Banda Sea has a fresh taste with extraordinary quality of Tuna, complete with breadcrumbs made in-house. Culinary creativity is what attracts their loyal Jakarta customers. Jakarta, with its various advantages as a major metropolitan city, has the best chance of recovering quickly. The world has seen unbelievable technological progress in response to the pandemic, these have given hope that modern society will not only survive, but will emerge better after the pandemic, with stronger and more sustainable businesses.