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Bali, December 18, 2023 - The Bali Hotels Association (BHA) recently wrapped up its highly anticipated Annual General Manager Meeting, a pivotal event that underscored the association’s commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and excellence within the hospitality industry. Held at Conrad Bali, the meeting brought together General Managers from BHA member hotels and resorts to reflect on the accomplishments of 2023 and set the stage for an impactful 2024.

Celebrating 2023 Achievements
At the heart of the meeting were the highlights and key achievements of the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) in 2023, including five noteworthy accomplishments as follows:

• Being able to represent BHA’s members and the association in national and international forums, as well as the local government and related tourism stakeholders, voicing our ideas, concerns, and feedback for the destination.
• Being able to represent and introduce local sustainable products to our hotel members through the Sustainable Product Showcase, highlighting international standard quality Balinese produce   to our member hotels’ guests through Sustainable Food Festival. 
• Successfully activated and executed programs, such as training, scholarship, sales roadshows, orphanages visits, which were halted during pandemic with positive feedback and support received from members and partners.
• Activated and recruited new members and partners surpassing the total number of hotel members and partners prior to the pandemic. 
• Successfully conducted a charity event which resulted in triple the intended monetary goal and was able to provide essential funds to two key organizations, Annika Linden Foundation and Sungai Watch, shaping the future of our island.

Advancing Sustainability
The Annual General Manager Meeting was complemented by The Sustainable Product Showcase, a platform where local sustainable products took center stage. The event saw the participation of General Managers, Purchasing Managers, F&B Managers, Chefs and sustainable champions from BHA Hotel members. This event aligns with BHA’s commitment to advancing sustainability practices among its members. A total of 15 local suppliers, including wines, seafood, vegetables, organic food, and traditional clothing, were involved in the showcase connecting buyers and sellers in a casual yet engaging environment.

New Leadership in 2024
During the Annual General Manager Meeting, the election results for the 2024 Chairman and Vice Chairman were announced. Shaun Dünhofen, Regional General Manager of Karma Resorts Bali, was elected as the new Chairman, and Franklyn Kocek, General Manager of The Stones Hotel – Legian Bali, Autograph Collection, was elected as the Vice Chairman.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be elected as the Chairman for Bali Hotels Association for 2024. I look forward to continuing working closely with our Community and Charities to make a positive impact on our island,” said newly elected Chairman Shaun Dünhofen.

Shaun and Franklyn will lead the association from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, succeeding Fransiska Handoko (2023 Chairwoman) and Kevin Girard (2023 Vice-Chairman). New BHA Boards of Directors will be announced soon.

Outgoing Chairwoman Fransiska Handoko shared her thoughts, stating, “Serving as the Chair from 2022-2023 has been a tremendous honor for me. I want to express my gratitude to the Board of Directors, the secretariat and all members for the unwavering support throughout my tenure.”

BHA Charity Dinner and Fundraising Event
The Annual General Manager Meeting culminated in the first-ever BHA Charity Dinner and Fundraiser, a true feast for the senses. Led by Chef Made Semawan and his talented team from Conrad Bali, the dinner featured performances from the winners of the Bali Hotels Association Talent Show and mouthwatering dishes inspired by Bali Hotels Association Sustainability Cooking Competition winners. Notably, the entire menu comprised exclusively 100% locally sourced ingredients.

The fundraiser included an online auction from November 16 until December 7, 2023, a silent auction on the night and raffle prizes, offering exclusive stays and incredible experiences generously provided by BHA member hotels and international partners. Funds raised will be donated to The Annika Linden Centre, Bali’s first center for excellence and home to three exceptional disability organizations, and Sungai Watch, an environmental organization dedicated to preventing plastic pollution in the ocean.

During the auction, Gary Bencheghib from Sungai Watch delivered a passionate speech about the urgent need for Bali to change its waste management practices, emphasizing the critical role the hospitality industry can play in creating a sustainable future. The story of Ni Kadek Namiani Tiara Putri, who overcame disabilities to pursue her education, showcased the impact of BHA-supported initiatives with Annika Linden Centre on individuals’ lives.

Looking Forward to 2024
Looking ahead, BHA aims to continue its impactful work in 2024, fostering connections among its members and contributing positively to the Bali community. The association proudly reported that its members’ sustainability practices diverted over 31,000 kgs of food waste, resulting in 133,000 meals served to the local community in 2023.

Bali Hotels Association remains dedicated to fostering collaboration, sustainability, and positive change in the local community and beyond.

*Note to Editors: Images and press releases in English and Indonesian can be downloaded from the link here.

About Bali Hotels Association

Bali Hotels Association is a professional association of star-rated hotels and resorts in Bali. Members include general managers from more than 164 hotels and resorts, representing 25,632 hotel rooms and 30,991 employees in the Bali hotel sector. One of the objectives of BHA is to support and facilitate the development of communities, education and environment in Bali. BHA has initiated many projects involving the association members as well as the people in the industry. Only by supporting each other these long-term projects can be achieved and benefits everyone in the island. Their vision is to keep Bali as the most desirable tourism destination in Asia through the warmth and hospitality of its people. Their mission is to bring together all General Managers of hotels, villas and resorts in a non-competitive environment, to exchange information on matters of general interest, to have a common voice on issues pertaining to the tourism and hospitality industries in support of Bali as a destination. To support and facilitate the development of Balinese community, education and environment initiatives in Bali.