OUR COMMITMENT
Read our Responsible Tourism Policy
A key consideration in our approach to developing Cempedak was to work with the local communities on Bintan and neighbouring islands. Not only do many of our staff come from these communities but the island supports these communities by sourcing supplies locally.
From the outset, building and operating Cempedak along strict sustainable principles has been at the forefront of development plans for the island. Not only was Cempedak built with local materials, labour and services but it is also operated with them. Significantly, through time many important new trades and skills have thus been transferred to Cempedak’s contractors and staff.
The owners have been instrumental in helping establish and fund two local foundations that are working on the most pressing environmental issues. One of those foundations is working on helping to protect a Marine Protected Area of approx 138,500ha. The other is working on removing plastic from the coastal areas and creating interventions to reduce the amount of plastic entering the sea from the local communities. Our staff have been instrumental in helping establish and support these efforts. Read our 4Cs Impact Statement, vetted by the Long Run, to learn more about out how your stay on Cempedak has a positive impact on the local environment and community.
Construction
External consultants were engaged to advise on how to minimise and where necessary help protect and restore the environment. Those same consultants continue to carry out surveys on the island and help us protect the local flora and fauna.
One of the truly unique aspects of Cempedak is the extensive use of bamboo in the buildings. With the experience of some extraordinary specialists and years of planning, Cempedak is truly out of the mould.
The success of sister property, Nikoi inspired the owners to take what they had learnt to another level. Unique in the design is the fact that the rooms are naturally ventilated and there are no air conditioners in the villas. With the master bedrooms raised 3m off the ground and a vaulted ceiling, the natural horizontal and vertical ventilation helps keeps the rooms at a comfortable temperature. Fans have been incorporated inside the mosquito nets to help keep guests cool at night.
Food sustainability
What we can’t grow on our farm, we will source as much as possible from local markets and small traders. This means Cempedak is able to obtain the freshest ingredients which whilst they might not be certified as organic it is known to have been organically farmed. We employ a full-time Sustainability Manager to help implement our policies.
An important aspect to Cempedak’s approach to responsible tourism has been to ensure that we not only help protect the environment but where possible help to restore it. An important task in protecting the environment is to educate both Cempedak’s guests and the local population.
External consultants were engaged to advise on how to minimise and where necessary help protect and restore the environment. Those same consultants continue to carry our surveys on the island and help us protect the local flora and fauna.
We educate guests through the Cempedak website, Facebook page, room literature, tours of our back of house and nature walks around the island. The process of educating the locals on the environment is one of the roles of the Foundation, our Marine Conservation Officer and our Sustainability Officer.
The Long Run
Cempedak is a Long Run Fellow Member. This means that we directly manage or significantly influence the management of a natural area of conservation value with defined geographical boundaries, have signed The Long Run Charter and are committed to achieving sustainability through a holistic balance of the 4Cs: conservation, community, culture and commerce. For more information on The Long Run please visit their website. Being part of the Long Run Initiative we apply the Long Run approach to life of acting today for a better tomorrow and aspire to become Global Ecosphere Retreats® certified Long Run Destinations, actively demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable business and providing practical examples of sustainability in action. If you are interested in finding out more about our programs or would like to help out then please do get in touch with us by emailing [email protected].