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SINCE its inception, Alila Villas Uluwatu has been a pioneer of sustainability in the hospitality industry and continues to make sustainability a priority in all aspects of its business operations. This year, Alila Villas Uluwatu has taken further strides in its efforts to create a sustainable future and support a regenerative approach to tourism.
The opportunity to reverse the trajectory of climate change has reached a pivotal moment. Regenerative tourism seeks to not only repair damage to the environment and communities associated with travel, but also actively improve the environmental and social conditions of host destinations by creating fertile conditions for them to flourish – working with nature, not against it, to preserve ecosystems and create a positive impact.
According to the United Nations, regenerative tourism principles that draw upon nature’s wisdom include approaching tourism holistically as a living system where everything is interdependent; fostering inclusivity and collaboration between different stakeholders, from businesses to communities, the voluntary sector and governments; promoting environmental and cultural stewardship; and creating transformational and inspirational experiences for guests that showcase destinations authentically and responsibly.
Embracing the principles of regenerative tourism and hoping to serve as a catalyst for change that benefits the environment and local communities, Alila Villas Uluwatu has become a proud signatory of the UN’s Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.
Led by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the initiative was launched in January 2020 to unite the tourism sector to take concerted action that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution, leading by example in the shift towards circularity in the use of plastics.
Signatories of the initiative commit to making concrete and actionable commitments by 2025 to eliminate unnecessary or problematic plastic packaging and items, and transition from single-use plastics to reusable, recyclable and compostable alternatives.
With plastic waste playing a major role in contaminating Bali’s rice paddies, forests, beaches, rivers and seas, Alila Villas Uluwatu has already taken decisive action. As part of its comprehensive in-house waste management system which revolves around a zero-waste to landfill policy, the resort has eliminated all single-use plastic usage throughout the resort, including back of house, since 1st June 2021. This includes no plastic food packaging, bags or cutlery, among others, while team members and guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.
Alila Villas Uluwatu believes everyone has a part to play in protecting and regenerating the environment for the benefit of all. Taking every opportunity to communicate its sustainability efforts to team members, guests and the community, the resort aims to transform minds and inspire everyone through its own initiatives, with many more to come. [traveltext.id]
