#ExperienceKarma

WE’RE GROWING

Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and are needed more than ever (particularly in Australia). 

Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and are needed more than ever (particularly in Australia). 

Which is why we are considering a collaboration with Onetreeplanted.org a non-for-profit company focused on reforestation. They are young and passionate and have a big focus on Indonesia, India and Australia. Some ideas include us planting a tree for every member tour and John is interested in everyone’s feedback and suggestions.

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THIS JUST IN

According to a recent Booking.com survey, 67% of travelers say they’ll spend at least five percent more to ensure their travel has a reduced impact on the environment. There’s no question that hotels will continue to introduce eco-conscious amenities in the years ahead. Being sustainable doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive either (scroll down and watch the Ted Talk shared by Clinton).

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THRIVING IDEAS

Michel Bordier’s suggestion is to plant out a nursery at our A1 site at Karma Kandara that will cover approximately 30% of Phase VI. The idea is to plant fast-growing trees that will flourish within 1-2 years. According to the landscaping team, now until April is the best season to start planting in Bali (good to know). A feasibility plan and budget will be presented at the end of the month.

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GOOD KARMA

I had a chat to David Hadson this week and they are full steam ahead with their goal to raise AU$25,000 to help the fireman battling the Australian bushfires. Essentially, 50% of all promotional offer booking fees since starting the program in December have been pledged to the Red Cross. Says Hadson: ‘The member’s response and feedback has been very positive and we have nearly raised AU$11,000.’ Between January 15-29th.’ 100% of funds raised from a series of raffle will also be donated to the cause with the winners and total money announced on Australian Day.

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WAR ON PLASTIC

Guests at Karma Kandara love the new in-villa water dispensers that come with cool Kwater-bottles. More refilling stations will soon be set around the communal areas of the resort including poolside, beach club and spa. This year alone we will save on nearly 150,000 plastic bottles from ending up in Bali’s landfill (and the Indian Ocean) – that’s epic!

At Karma Royal Resorts in Bali, they’ve had refillable stations for a while now, ceramic bottles for in-room amenities, a ban on plastic straws and are in the final steps of finishing up the previously plastic-wrapped soaps. Says Marlinde Verhoeff: ‘We are basically plastic-free now.’

Water dispensers are being installed at Karma Jimbaran this month.

Will share more about Karma Rottnest’s plant-based water bottles in the next edition.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We need to revisit covering food with single-use plastics for in-villa dining. Ideas welcome…

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SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

Guests and members loved the creativity at both Karma Jimbaran and Karma Royal Resorts this season. Instead of buying plastic Christmas trees and disposable decorations, the Karma Royal Jimbaran resort team hand-crafted a bamboo tree to decorate. Over at Karma Jimbaran, there wasn’t a plastic decoration in sight – the team handmade stunning Christmas decorations made from bamboo, leaves, fruits and flowers all growing inside our resort – how inspiring!

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RECOMMENDED VIEWING

The press has been filled with stories about the pressure on places like Bali, and often the situation may seem hopeless. However, this Bali-based organization is challenging the status quo-providing environmental solutions for the hotel industry that doesn’t need to be expensive, time consuming or complicated.

TEDX How the tourism industry can be responsible for its environmental footprint Sean Nino | TEDxU… Watch later

Judy Chapman
Champion of Sustainability
Karma Group