LUX Tourism Awards 2018

LUX - Tourism Awards 2018 21 Wakatobi Resort was established in the mid-1990s as a scuba diving outpost on a small, remote island in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. At that time, only dedicated scuba divers would make a 36-hour journey from Bali, drawn by the opportunity to dive on some of the most pristine and spectacular coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Two decades later, Wakatobi has become one of the world’s premier diving and snorkelling destinations, offering five-star service, iconic beachfront accommodations, fine dining and direct charter flights from Bali to a private airstrip. Key to this success was an uncompromising attitude toward customer service and an equal dedication to community-based conservation. The guest service experience begins well before arrival at the resort. To serve its global market, Wakatobi maintains a network of representatives in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. This team coordinates with the resort and central offices through a variety of channels, with the goal of providing personal, one-on-one advice and planning to each guest, from booking through their stay and beyond. Representatives assist with travel plans as needed, arrange special services, and learn of personal preferences such as food choices or dietary requirements, all of which is communicated to the resort staff through a central office in Bali. On arrival in Bali, guests are met by the resort’s dedicated concierge team, who assist with all details of arrival and transfer. While awaiting flights to the resort, guests relax in Wakatobi’s VIP lounge and enjoy a light breakfast before boarding the plane. The Bali team can also arrange transportation, accommodation and activities for extended layovers, including small details such as providing local currency and cellular phones, arranging tours around Bali or making dinner reservations. Travel to the resort is by charter aircraft, and on arrival at Wakatobi’s private airstrip, the resort staff handles all details of transfer, leaving guests free to relax during a short boat ride to the resort’s beachfront location. Personal service has become a hallmark of Wakatobi Resort, but equally important to the guest experience are the initiatives that have made Wakatobi Resort a world leader in the realm of privately-funded conservation initiatives. Even before breaking ground, the founders realized the importance of protecting the spectacular coral reefs that surrounded the property. Rather than relying on largely unenforceable outside regulation, they chose to partner with local Best Dive Resort 2018 – Indonesia & LUX Excellence Award for Stunning Marine Encounters Wakatobi is a luxury dive resort in South-Eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. We profile the resort to find out more and explore how it creates a unique atmosphere for visitors. Best Dive Resort 2018 – Indonesia & LUX Excellence Award for Stunning Marine Encounters communities, offering direct financial support in the form of lease payments, in exchange for honoring specific no-take zones on the reefs. The initiative, which became known as the Wakatobi Collaborative Reef Conservation Program, is funded by a portion of guest revenue, and now provides active protection for more than 20 kilometres of coral reef, while providing a range of economic and social benefits to some 17 area villages. Alongside the service it offers, Wakatobi has also received widespread recognition and numerous awards for the Collaborative Reef initiative, which has since become a model for private sector conservation programs around the world. For guests, the benefits of the resort’s proactive protection policy are seen on a daily basis when diving and snorkelling. The coral reefs surrounding the resort remain some of the most pristine and bio-diverse of any in the Indo-Pacific region, and guests can enjoy these sites with the knowledge that their presence is actually protecting and enhancing the environment. Over the past two decades, Wakatobi Resort has continued to grow and expanded its amenities to include gourmet dining, luxury villas, spa services and concierge-level personal attention. This, combined with the resort’s reputation within the travel community, has attracted a broader clientele. Experienced divers and underwater photographers remain a core market, and they are provided a range of special services that include private dive and snorkel guides, pro-level imaging support and the option for private boat charters. In addition to its land-based operations, Wakatobi now also operates a luxury liveaboard dive yacht, the Pelagian, which carries a maximum of ten guests on week-long excursions to more distant areas of the Wakatobi Islands. In recognition of the growing number of snorkellers, casual divers and family groups choosing Wakatobi, the management team continues to add services and amenities such as child care, personal butlers and on-site event planning for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries and family reunions. Special emphasis has also been given to communications. Though located in one of the more remote areas of Indonesia, Wakatobi is connected to the world by both satellite and cellular phone service, provides Internet access, and maintains backup systems such as radio communications. “Wakatobi Resort has continued to grow and expanded its amenities to include gourmet dining, luxury villas, spa services and concierge-level personal attention.” Looking to the future, Wakatobi Resort feels that the current trend in the upper end of the dive and adventure travel market is towards the quality of experience rather than commodity pricing. In response to this trend, the management and staff remain focused on maintaining the highest levels of service, the continual improvement of product and procedures, and the protection of the region’s natural resources. This policy has resulted in a high level of repeat bookings, and highly favorable reviews and feedback from guests, and will help the company to build upon its current success and grow even further.