AMSTERDAM: An eco-resort on the Indonesian Island of Bintan, recognised for its use of a radical Dutch business model, the Polder Model, has been named overall winner of the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2015 at World Travel Market London.
Chosen from 37 inspirational finalists, Loola Adventure Resort was handed the prestigious Award at a special ceremony at World Travel Market London’s Global Stage, as part of the annual WTM World Responsible Tourism Day celebrations.
Developed in Holland in the 1980s, the ‘Polder Model’ – a collaborative, consensus-based way of working between employers and employees which makes everyone a stakeholder in the business – can be seen coming to life in tourism at LooLa in 2015. By setting up local staff as entrepreneurs, running and managing their own businesses within the workings of the resort, LooLa has increased local incomes by 20-50%, has a zero staff turnover through education and development opportunities and gains excellent customer feedback.
The judges singled out Loola for its innovative business model which creates shared value from tourism with the local community” says Professor Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Judging Panel “Each year we look for organisations which will surprise and inspire change, and Loola’s approach, which gives local staff the opportunity to run and own their own businesses within the resort, is not only exemplary but successful; a win-win way of working which leads to increased local incomes and better guest experiences.
