EXO Foundation’s Sustainability Awards were held in September 2023. In this blog, we introduce honorees for the Protecting Cultural Heritage category.
Asia’s mosaic of cultural heritage offers a deep well of knowledge, art, architecture and traditional practices that have shaped the land.
However, with the passage of time and globalisation, many of these irreplaceable treasures are fading or being lost completely. Some historical sites face neglect or even destruction, while intangible heritage like languages and the arts risk oblivion.
Tourism plays an important role in safeguarding cultural heritage. While irresponsible tourism can lead to damage of ancient sites and dilution of authentic local ways of life, tourism can also raise awareness of Asia’s historical wonders and bring much needed economic support to preserve and protect cultures and places.
The EXO Foundation Sustainability Awards celebrates the endeavours of organisations working on cultural preservation in Asia. Their work not only protects landmarks but also the stories, traditions and knowledge of the past. We are proud to announce the following awards given for the ‘Protecting Cultural Heritage’ category.
Sustainability Awards for Preserving Cultural Heritage: Honouring organisations working to promote diversity of cultures and sites
Winner (Not for Profit): Tanoti SDN BHD
Tanoti is a Malaysian social enterprise working to preserve the intangible cultural heritage of Sarawak. They work with more than 500 craft artisans and food suppliers residing in rural villages across the state of Sarawak. Through their efforts, Tanoti helps nurture and promote the artisans skills by creating viable pathways for income via local and international trade.
With the prize money from the Sustainability Awards, Tanoti will mobilise resources to 2 – 3 remote village clusters.
Winner (Tourism private): Papua Diving Resorts
Papua Diving Resorts (Indonesia) introduces sustainable tourism with a mission to protect nature and empower the local people. The company aims to exist alongside the local people, inspired by their culture and traditions such as building bungalows with the Papuan architecture and local materials.
Papua Diving also provides education and alternative, sustainable occupations for the local people who were once engaged in bomb fishing and shark finning.
Runner-up (Not for Profit): Shunyoso Cultural Asset Preservation Society
Shunyoso is a historic country retreat on Awaji Island, Japan. Originally built in 1941, the property has been converted into a small-scale tourist guest house, the revenues from which support Shunyoso’s efforts to preserve and promote the island’s culture such as traditional ceremonies and other intangible customs.
Runner-up (Tourism Private Sector): Soori Bali
Soori Bali is an eco-friendly resort embracing a holistic approach to regenerative travel, not just environmental, but also cultural. Among their wide-ranging cultural heritage initiatives is the Little Dancers and Little Musicians program which teaches traditional Balinese music and dance to the children of Kelating village.
About the EXO Foundation Sustainability Awards:
The 2023 ceremony was held on 28 September and hosted by Alexandra Michat, EXO’s Chief Purpose Officer.
The goal of the awards was to identify, support and promote exemplary projects that seek to innovate sustainability in Asia. More than 20 nominees, from the non-profit sector and private tourism companies, were on the ballot competing for prizes totaling over $40,000 USD in value.
A panel of internationally recognised sustainable tourism professionals was enlisted to evaluate each nominee and vote according to its merits. The judges then announced the winners across five categories and a six ‘People’s Choice Award’ was granted based on a month-long public vote. EXO Foundation was joined by two co-sponsors in arranging and supporting this event: LightBlue Consulting and Considerate Group.
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