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MARRIOT International’s luxury accommodation chain, through The Luxury Collection, introduced its first luxury resort in Labuan Bajo entitled TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Not only are they luxury resorts in special locations, they also bring circular economy value as part of their business sustainability.
According to the General Manager of TA’AKTANA, Sabreena Jacob, said one example of a circular economy being implemented is the commitment not to import food provided by hotels, but rather to empower the community and the surrounding environment.
“We want to get fish from the community, we want to utilize food ingredients produced by local residents in the area, as well as Indonesian communities in other areas,” she said
Sabreena Jacob explained that by getting quality local coffee from local coffee farmers, this gives them the opportunity to increase their income. “TA’AKTANA wants to be a showcase of various things related to Indonesian culture and local wisdom, especially the people of Labuan Bajo. Vegetables, foodstuffs, livestock, we want to minimize imports.
“In fact, the artwork used to decorate the hotel rooms was obtained from Indonesian artists, namely the Dayak people in Kalimantan. They profit and we also profit from what they do,” said Sabreena.
Apart from that, according to her, the resort has taken significant steps to minimize its environmental footprint by reducing the use of plastic bottles, starting with the use of glass bottled mineral water.
TA’AKTANA also has their own bottling plant. Likewise, they reproduce used batik cloth from staff uniforms as souvenirs for guests. Further integration of technology for energy efficiency also strengthens the resort’s commitment to preserving the natural beauty of its environment.
Overall, according to Sabreena, TA’AKTANA promotes ethics and social responsibility, by actively contributing to the welfare of the local community. We not only ensure a luxurious and memorable experience for guests, but are also active in preserving the rich heritage of Labuan Bajo and its natural environment, as well as the sustainability of local small businesses throughout Indonesia.
When asked the meaning of TA’AKTANA, she directly answered that the name TA’AKTANA means fertile green land that brings blessings to the surrounding area. This name with the agricultural fields in Flores-Lingko, which are shaped like spider webs, illustrating TA’AKTANA’s efforts to always be connected with all local traditions and culture in Labuan Bajo and Indonesia in general.
She added, to respect the tradition of the Labuan Bajo people who in the past used lighting in the form of lanterns or candles, TA’AKTANA also provides lanterns in each room for guests to use when walking around the property. These touches create a unique and immersive experience, connecting guests with the region’s rich cultural heritage.
“The resort, which will open at the end of March 2024, is designed to offer unrivaled comfort, with every suite, landed villa (villa on land) and sea villa (villa on the sea) equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and ultra-luxury facilities. Guests can enjoy world-class dining, pamper themselves at the spa and enjoy stunning ocean views from the resort’s exclusive vantage points,” Sabreena concluded. [sources/photo special]
