Sustainability in MICE: Inside the mind of a DMC chief

There is a growing wave of sustainability in Indonesia’s travel and MICE industry, driven by the government’s greater support and businesses adapting to sustainability demand in the post-pandemic era, observes Budi Tirtawisata, CEO of Jakarta-based Panorama Group.

The chief executive is relieved to see more unity within the industry on this front. "As we all navigate the post-pandemic landscape, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability at the global, regional, and national levels. We are pleased that sustainability is now regarded as a national priority, making it easier for all stakeholders," he noted.

The Indonesian government has ramped up its support for sustainable tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has launched a green campaign on called “Every Steps Matters” for foreign tourists and “Kita Mulai Sekarang” (We Start Now) for domestic travellers. It aims to build awareness among travellers on the issue of climate change and its impact to tourism sector.

As a prominent DMC based Indonesia, Panorama has long been committed to environment-friendly tourism practices even before pandemic. It has complied with the sustainable tourism standards acknowledged by the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), which have not only contributed to its positive impact on the environment but have also strengthened its business position.

Greening the supply chain

Addressing the sustainability concerns of overseas partners handling incentive and meeting groups is a priority for Panorama. "Our international counterparts increasingly seek Indonesian partners who have already implemented SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Complying with sustainability practices has become a significant value proposition that we can offer them," Budi emphasised.

Panorama has also been actively involved in advocating for supply chain emission reduction. “That's already part of our planning for the next two years,” adds Budi.

Panorama Hotel Management manages 101 hotels, the majority of which have adopted energy-efficient LED lighting and heat pump water heaters instead of standard electric ones, resulting in reduced energy consumption. Furthermore, Panorama has implemented comprehensive waste management practices in all its hotels, covering everything from waste collection and transport to treatment and disposal.

"We are dedicated to water recycling and efficient waste disposal, and we have implemented numerous green initiatives," Budi added. Several properties under Panorama's mid-scale premium 101 Hotel & Resort brand, including those in Yogyakarta and Bogor, have earned green hotel certification from the World Bank.

Demand for MICE picks up

MICE business has started to pick up since the start of 2023, and the DMC has been actively secured forward bookings for Q4 2023 and 2024.

Notable international events in Indonesia include the G20 Bali Summit in 2022, the 18th Asia Media Summit (23-24 May) in Bali, and most recently, the 43rd ASEAN Summit (2-7 September) in Jakarta.

Panorama’s partnership with Japan Travel Bureau has elevated its opportunities as Japanese corporations with investments in Indonesia are also eyeing incentive travel within the country. "Bali is a magnet for Japanese people,” says Budi.

Bali and Jakarta remain the most popular MICE destinations in Indonesia, owing to their well-developed facilities for conventions, accommodation, accessibility, affordable airfare, and an array of tourist attractions.