Behind the Winners of THK Awards 2005
Cempaka Belimbing Villas Achiever of the Highest Trophy of THK

TTo learn more about what, where and how hotel management implements the THK as a balance and harmonic concept in an integral oneness, meaning that the balance can be felt evidently between sraddha (faith) and bhakti (devotion) of human to God (parhyangan), mutual service and devotion among the fellow humans (pawongan) and love the nature (palemahan), here is a report of Bali Travel News on the achiever hotels of THK Awards 2005. On edition 6 Volume VIII that you are currently reading carries the THK activity at Cempaka Belimbing Guest Villas, gold winner for non-star hotel category and concurrently the achiever of Emerald trophy (the highest trophy awarded to THK Awards participants that accomplished to go to gold trophy for three times successively).
he owner of Cempaka Belimbing Villas, Al Purwa, MBA friendly and confidently tells in terms of various perspectives what the benefits of participating in the competition of Tri Hita Karana Tourism Awards & Accreditations (THK Awards). "In terms of business and moral aspects, it's thoroughly advantageous moreover Cempaka Belimbing Villas has achieved gold trophy for three times in succession so in 2005 our hotels was awarded Emerald Trophy. It's really an extraordinary pride," he observes steadily to Bali Travel News (BTN) lately in Denpasar.
"Morally," he affirms," I think it immensely helpful, especially for employees, because they feel more convenient to work at the award-wining hotel. Though their earnings is low but they can work more peacefully." Achieving the awards, moreover of Emerald trophy, according to him, is a distinctive self-esteem because his party is morally obliged to extend a model how to maintain and preserve the balance between devoting to God, serving the fellow human and loving the surrounding nature of hotel. People will feel happy if their life is balanced. He also adds that the program launched by Bali Travel News happens to be parallel to the THK philosophy that leads the life of Hindu devotees in Bali.
Now, in terms of business aspects and in the short term the awards won, probably, means nothing. However, in the long term, according to Al Purwa, who is also the Director of Kuta Cemerlang Bali Jaya, it can be used as marketing tool as it delivers benefits to hotel. A lot of local and foreignguests who stay at Cempaka Belimbing tell him that staying at Cempaka make them feel different ambience from staying at other hotels. "Seemingly, Cempaka has a taksu (inner power)," remarks Al Purwa while explaining that one will soon feel happy and relaxed as soon as laying down at his hotel.
"My endeavour, since the very beginning, is how to show to tourists that authentic Bali still exists, Bali as its atmosphere 40 years ago could still be found when pay a visit and stay at Cempaka Belimbing. Here is what I'd like to show to tourists. If you want to see the authentic Bali, this is it," explains Al while ensuring the long term of THK Awards program can be made into marvellous marketing tool. Winning THK Awards, according to him, is closely associated with green hotel plus. "I mention green hotel plus because it does not only relate to ecotourism, but also social and spiritual touch tourism-physic, social and spiritual. Thus, it comes into contact with all aspects of life," he utters.
Implementation of THK concept at Cempaka Belimbing Villas has typical meaning for the employees, management and hotel owner. At parhyangan aspect, for instance, we established worshipping place (temple) in order all Hindu employees say prayer prior to work. For other employees, the hotel has provided them with a place where they pay homage as per their own faith. An impressive thing in the parhyangan aspect is that after working hours they pay homage on their awareness. "They do it regularly every day," he says.
Social relation to the local village is fine. What is needed to improve the existence of the village is assisted based hotel's affordability. For instance, when the hamlet asked for gamelan, we provided it with dance and gamelan instructor, including hall at hotel to perform dance activities and other art presentations. Its result is really satisfactory because the Joged troupe it trained could achieve awards from the government on the occasion of Bali Arts Festival (BAF) 2004.
His party also educated the surrounding community to maintain environmental cleanliness, chiefly in handling plastic rubbish and delivered some rubbish bins to community in the hotel vicinity and schools as well.
Approximately 99% of employees of Cempaka Belimbing are recruited from the local villagers. This proves that the hotel really concerns with the pawongan aspect. Their character is still simple and straightforward. This is remarkably liked by European guests because they have sincere smile and helpful attitude. "That's the character of the native Balinese," says Al. Rarely do problems arise because all are already resolved through family atmosphere with the owner. "I have considered all employees my own family. When a problem emerges I at all times make an effort to overcome it peacefully. In fact, they feel satisfied as none is adversed."
Guests show good and well-pleased impression starting from reception upon check-in up to checkout from hotel. Their impression can be read on guest's comments filled up by every guest who stay at Cempaka. It usually judges that staff, service and fast food provided are very good. "As the owner, I assuredly feel proud and give reasonable appreciation to the employees," remarks Al Purwa.
At the end of interview, this Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Bali renders inputs and even criticism about the THK Awards itself. "I think what has been initiated by my colleagues from Bali Travel News, especiallythe organizer of THK Awards for the time being, is adequately serious and has given a good example. And I'm proud because we have gone to gold trophy for three times successively and even to emerald from not only two or three jury panel, but even tens who have different disciplines," describes Al while adding that most of the jury panel are unknown to him.
In the future, if possible, thisprogram is kept on continuing as its result has been really felt by hotel employees, management and owner. Gradually, the THK Awards program will extend benefits in terms of hotel marketing because this program has been endorsed nationwide. Even, the world through WTO has adopted this concept as it appreciates the local wisdom. (BTN/013)