THK and Hotels (9)

Not Instant, but Conferring Assurance

Introduction
Tri Hita Karana Tourism Awards & Accreditations (THK Awards) in 2005 is five years old. However, there are people still putting it into question, “What is the background of executing this program? Why does this program target hotels? Does not the hotel ‘only’ appeal for capital and profit/loss, while THK puts forward harmony and togetherness principles? Is it possible that both poles—capital and profit on the one hand, while harmony and togetherness spirit on the other hand—can coalesce? So, what is the concrete result of the THK Awards after five years?
Bali Travel News, starting from the 14th edition carries comprehensive articles around the carrying out of THK Awards. Based on the background of the program launched, its method and execution mechanism up to the positive impact comes into view after five years.

Previous article described 4 (four) arguments that provided the basis for why the THK Awards program is first intended to hotels. The word ‘first intended to hotels’ should be grasped that THK Awards since the very beginning has been designed to not only target the hotels. Now proved—starting from 2005—it has been established ‘special team’ to assess TOA (tourist object and attraction). This special team is recruited from the institution of Bali Provincial Government and 7 (seven) private universities.
The three governmental institutions mentioned above are the Bali Government Tourist Office, Regional Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) and Bali Government Cultural Service (Disbud). While, the 7 (seven) private universities comprise University of Pendidikan Nasional (Undiknas), University of Warmadewa (Unwar), University of Ngurah Rai (UNR), University of Mahasaraswati (Unmas), University of Dwijendra (Undwi) and Teacher’s Training College-the Association of Indonesian Teachers (IKIP-PGRI).
Such a special team, since 2005, set to work in the field to assess 13 TOAs as the result of supervision by hotels through ‘foster parent’ for a year. All hotels that become foster parent constituting the member of THK Awards, namely AlamKulKul Boutique Resort as ‘foster parent’ of Sangeh tourist object and attraction; Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort (Uluwatu Temple); Bali Hilton International (Museum Bali); Bali Hyatt Hotel (Taman Budaya/Art Centre); Nikko Bali Hotel Resort & Spa (Goa Gajah); Matahari Beach Resort & Spa (Gedong Kertya Library); Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort (Tanah Lot and Alas Kedaton); Alila Manggis (Tirta Gangga); The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa (Besakih Temple); Hotel Puri Bagus Candidasa (Taman Ujung); Griya Santrian Hotel (Kerta Gosa) and Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa as ‘foster parent’ of Taman Ayun Temple.
As the organizer of THK Awards, we are extremely amazed to perceive the willingness of such hotels to become ‘foster parents’ of TOAs in Bali. This is not only a new breakthrough, but at a time constitutes a new awareness that is worth praising. Government should deliver special rewards to those hotels. Probably, it is the first of its kind—and the one and only—that happens in the world. We should surprise and give appreciation since it indicates the presence of transformation in understanding and paradigm in the circle of hoteliers.
Previously, hoteliers (owner, management and employee) view TOA just as commodity. As its name ‘commodity’, it’s only worth trading and enjoying. However, through the willingness to become ‘foster parent’ has initiated the presence of reformation on the perspective and understanding. TOAs used to be displayed and apprehended to be a ‘commodity’, now they have regarded as assets that should be taken care of, maintained and preserved together.
Perspective and understanding that TOAs as asset is appropriate and correct, while the former ones except for being inappropriate, tends to be exploitative. This perspective is supremely narrow-minded and instant. Regarded narrow-minded and instant because it tends to be egoistic and as if the tourists that come to Bali were merely on account of the existence of hotel. But, as a matter of fact, they just stay at hotel. They come to Bali for the reason that Bali is a destination. Bali is called a destination seeing that it has TOAs. On that account, maintaining TOAs means the ‘sustainability’ of Bali’s destination. Preserving the ‘sustainability’ of Bali’s destination also signifies doing it for the sake of ‘sustainability’ of hotel.
Now, both hotel and TOA—through THK Awards program—are pushed in order to put forward togetherness and harmonic principles as mandated in the THK concept. It is also intended to reach ‘sustainability’. As implied by the term ‘sustainability’, both hotel and TOA—that participate in the THK Awards program—may not expect too much to attain instant advantage and benefit. Benefit of THK Awards activity will be reaped in long-term, but it does not necessarily mean that it will not give a single instant benefit. Definitely, by implementing THK concept is assured to be able to arrive at such harmonic and togetherness value. Both values—togetherness and harmony—will give assurance of sustainability on one hand and not be zero of instant benefit on the other hand. (BTN/B. Ashrama)