PALMOILMAGAZINE, DENPASAR, BALI – The tourism industry consistently utilizes palm oil derivatives in its operations, playing a vital role in supporting sustainable and responsible palm oil practices. Eco Tourism Bali (ETB), a key player in the tourism sector, partnered with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to host a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on June 13, 2024, at Desa Potato Head, Bali.
This discussion focused on the sustainable procurement of palm oil products for the tourism industry, with twenty representatives from various tourism sectors, including hotels, cafes, restaurants, and spas, in attendance.
Ida Ayu Nyoman Candrawati SH, M.Par, Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Industry Division of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, who represented the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, said in her remarks that she believes together with stakeholders can be part of the solution, from improving supply chain transparency to expanding the use of environmentally friendly substitutes.
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“There are many steps we can take to reduce the negative impacts of palm oil production, it is vital that we all collaborate and innovate to find solutions that can bring about positive change,” she said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com.
In her remarks, Suzy Hutomo, founder of Eco Tourism Bali, emphasized that the responsibility to bring about environmental change and improvement in Bali lies with all of us. Suzy also highlighted the importance of collective awareness as the main foundation for achieving environmental sustainability. According to her, without this awareness, any efforts to protect and preserve the environment will not be maximized.
Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board, underscored that palm oil is a commodity that is hard to avoid, especially because of its significant benefits for the tourism industry. Gus Agung stressed the importance of using sustainable and responsible palm oil products to ensure that the tourism industry can continue to thrive without harming the environment. He believes that with a commitment to sustainability, we can enjoy the benefits of palm oil while maintaining ecological balance.
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Mahatma Windrawan, Deputy Director of Market Transformation RSPO Indonesia, stated, “The tourism and palm oil industries are significant forces in Indonesia’s economy, with strong intersections. For example, the use of cooking oil, body care, and beauty products in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and spas. Bali can be a trend-setter for the domestic and international tourism industry in promoting the use of responsibly and sustainably produced palm oil derivatives in their business activities.”
With this shared vision and mission, a joint commitment to sustainable procurement in the tourism industry was signed by Eco Tourism Bali, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, and the Bali Tourism Board.
The event continued with discussions aligned with the Sustainability Index developed by Eco Tourism Bali, such as awareness of biodiversity, natural habitat protection, support for biodiversity conservation, as well as support and services for local communities. Additionally, the discussion aimed to raise awareness about responsible procurement and provide information on how palm oil can be developed without having a negative impact on the environment or society. (P3)
