You are on page 1of 3

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN PARADISE:

DESIGN HOTELS™ MEMBER PROPERTIES IN BALI


SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES

Berlin, 31 July 2008 – Two member properties of Design Hotels™, Alila


Ubud and Alila Manggis, set exemplary standards in social responsibility by
supporting a local community in need.

Far removed from the images of paradise we usually associate with Bali, a
remote mountain village is emerging from abject poverty with the support
of the East Bali Poverty Project.

The project was founded in 1998 by David Booth, a long time resident of
Indonesia, to help a community of over two thousand families living in near
isolation. The village had no water supply, roads or electricity, children who
were malnourished and illiterate, and no healthcare nearer than a two-hour
walk across rough mountain terrain.

The villagers’ biggest wish was education for their children as a means to
stop the cycle of poverty and create a self-sufficient future. In response, the
East Bali Poverty Project was born with a mission, “to empower illiterate
and malnourished children, reduce poverty and promote culturally and
ecologically sensitive sustainable development.”

Education has been the cornerstone of change. In addition to academic


studies, the children learn practical skills related to health, sanitation,
nutrition and sustainable organic farming. Financial aid is also provided
each month to ensure villagers can enjoy basic amenities.

The project depends on the ongoing involvement and contributions of the


local community as a whole, of which Alila’s Bali resorts consider
themselves very much a part. Donating proceeds from art exhibitions and
organising a field trip for the children to celebrate their graduation are just
some of the ways the resorts have supported the project over the years.

Hotel guests are also invited to learn more, make a donation or offer
support in other ways. A holiday at these properties can be a meaningful
and enriching experience, providing real insights into the destination, its
people and the challenges they face.

For Alila’s Bali resorts, involvement in the East Bali Poverty Project is part
of a larger commitment to the environment and sustainable tourism. Both
resorts are “Green Globe Certified”. Alila Ubud was awarded best practice
results in waste recycling, managing to recycle 80% of its water
consumption. Alila Manggis excelled in reducing water and electricity
consumption, as well as contributing to the community by employing 85%
of its staff from within 20km of the resort site.

For more information about the East Bali Poverty Project or to make a
donation, please visit www.eastbalipovertyproject.org

-ENDS-

NOTE TO THE EDITORS Should you require additional details, please contact:
press@designhotels.com or tel: +49 (0)30 884 94 0 031

Images and details on the Alila hotels are available online:


www.designhotels.com/press

For reservations, please visit the website:


www.designhotels.com or telephone the appropriate
Design Hotels™ toll-free number:

EUROPE
Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, UK: 00 800 37 46 83 57
Belgium: 000 800 37 46 83 57
Finland: 990 800 37 46 83 57
Hungary: 06 800 1 22 36
Russia: 810 800 20 74 10 49

ASIA/PACIFIC
Australia: 0011 800 37 46 83 57
China, New Zealand: 00 800 37 46 83 57
Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand: 001 800 37 46 83 57
Japan: 0041 800 37 46 83 57

AFRICA
South Africa: 09 800 37 46 83 57
About Alila Ubud
Alila Ubud is a tranquil and secluded hillside retreat that sits high up on the
edge of the rich Ayung River valley in Bali’s central foothills. It is located
just minutes from Ubud, the island’s cultural heart. Blending contemporary
design and traditional Balinese architecture, the secluded courtyards,
spacious terraces and private gardens create an intimate feeling like none
other.

About Alila Manggis


One of Bali’s best kept secrets, Alila Manggis is a secluded, stylish seaside
resort in Manggis, East Bali. Set amidst a coconut grove, the resort is
nestled between the sea and the majestic Mount Agung, Bali’s most sacred
mountain. It is famed for its Cooking School specialising in East Balinese
cuisine, and its wondrous dive sites off Manggis.

About Alila Hotels and Resorts


Alila Hotels and Resorts offers a stylish, relaxing environment with a new
level of guest experience, which is continuously redefined by the latest
developments in design and living. Alila Hotels and Resorts fashions
uniquely different lifestyle concepts in creating luxurious destination
experiences for its guests. The management company has gained much
repute as a niche innovator of exclusive resorts that differentiate themselves
by adding that special lifestyle component. The Alila Experiences are
centred on building unique emotional "moments of truth" between the
guest, the hotel and destination. More information about its hotels and
resorts in Bali, Jakarta, Thailand, Laos and the Philippines can be found at
www.alilahotels.com

Currently, Alila is embarking on its next generation of high-end luxury


resorts in the Maldives, Bali, China, Vietnam, Oman, Thailand and India.

COMPANY INFORMATION About Design Hotels™


Design Hotels™ represents and markets a hand-picked collection of more
than 170 hotels in over 40 countries across the globe. Established in 1993,
as the first of its kind, the company offers unparalleled specialist knowledge
from conceptual branding through to market trend consultancy and
international representation.

The member hotels are independently owned but united by a commitment


to individuality, progressive design and cultural authenticity. Design
Hotels™ embody the most advanced ideas in the hospitality industry and
offer cosmopolitan travellers new options for both travel and inspiration.
The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London,
Barcelona, New York, Singapore, Bali, Tokyo and Perth.

You might also like