In 2024, our teams across Asia continued to champion sustainability and community support through impactful CSR initiatives. From environmental conservation to empowering local communities, each destination has played a key role in driving positive change. These efforts highlight our ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and creating lasting, meaningful impact across the regions we live and operate in.
Trash Hero Sanur in Bali, Indonesia, is a community-driven initiative focused on reducing plastic waste through regular clean-ups and environmental education. Destination Asia Indonesia partnered with Trash Hero Sanur for a beach cleanup, combing the sand to collect debris, including harmful plastics. Together, they worked to restore the coastline and improve ocean health, helping create safer habitats for marine life.
In addition to environmental efforts, the team also collaborated with Scholars of Sustenance Indonesia, a foundation that collects surplus nutritious food and redistributes it to underserved communities. Working alongside chefs, the team helped prepare meals, which were then delivered to local families in Bali, ensuring that those in need had access to healthy food.
Late in 2024, Destination Asia Indonesia hosted a ‘Career Day,’ opening their Bali office to individuals with various abilities from the Annika Linden Center. This initiative highlights the company’s commitment to fostering a diverse and supportive workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and grow.
Throughout the year, the team maintained their long-standing partnership with the Bali Wise Foundation, which empowers marginalised women in Bali through workplace training and financial support. With eight years of ongoing support, this initiative continues to provide invaluable skills and opportunities for women to succeed in the hospitality and travel industries.
In response to the heavy rains and flooding in Chiang Rai and Nong Khai in 2024, Destination Asia Thailand launched a recycling initiative to support the affected communities. The team collected an impressive 328 kilograms of recyclables, which were donated to Recycle Day Thailand, an organisation focused on recycling education and environmental awareness. By recycling this material, they helped reduce CO2 emissions by 989 kg—the equivalent of planting 104 trees - with the funds raised through this initiative donated to the National Disaster Relief Society of Thailand to aid ongoing relief efforts.
The team also continued their commitment to sustainability by partnering with Bang Khun Thian Learning Center for a mangrove planting activity. In this educational event, attendees learned about the critical role of mangroves in the environment and successfully planted over 100 mangrove trees, contributing to the preservation of local ecosystems.
Earlier in the year, the team collaborated with Scholars of Sustenance Thailand to address food insecurity in the community. Together, they prepared and distributed over 2,000 warm meals to the Lad Pachi community in Bangkok, helping to ensure that those in need had access to nutritious food.
Ahead of Phuket's high season, the operations team collaborated with excursion partners Phuket Andaman Twilight and Island Dream Exploration, along with local elephant sanctuaries and park rangers, for a beach cleanup on Lawa Island. The team collected plastic bags, bottles, glass items and other debris, leaving the beach in a much healthier and cleaner state.
Additionally, Destination Asia Thailand, along with the Head Office teams, collected essential items for Baan Nok Kamin, a home in Bangkok that supports orphans and underprivileged children. Hundreds of items, including toys, school supplies, arts and crafts materials, and personal care items, were gathered for children aged 2 to 14. This ongoing support has been a part of Destination Asia Thailand's commitment to Baan Nok Kamin for over 10 years, bringing joy and hope to the children.
Earlier this year, Destination Asia Malaysia teamed up with Kechara Soup Kitchen, a not-for-profit organisation that provides hot meals and basic medical care to those in need. Over two days, team members from the Penang and Kuala Lumpur offices visited local supermarkets to gather surplus grocery items for Kechara. They collected a range of items, including fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and baked goods, which were donated to local charity houses for distribution, ensuring that communities in need received essential supplies.
Our team in Kota Kinabalu joined forces with Arm of Hope Sabah to deliver 'Baskets of Hope' to mothers in the local community. Each basket, filled with hygiene products, school supplies, and relief kits, was aimed at supporting these women and their children with their basic needs, making a meaningful difference in their lives.
Destination Asia Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur office also partnered with The Hope Branch to provide food and drinks to those in need. Together, they contributed to meal costs and organized a food distribution session at Pusat Pembelajaran Komuniti Chow Kit, where over 100 individuals received nutritious meals, including rice, protein, vegetables, and drinks, to help sustain them through challenging times.
In addition to these efforts, the team continued their support for Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital in Penang. Through both cash donations and personal visits, they spent quality time with patients, sharing uplifting conversations and providing wellness bags to brighten their day, showing their continued commitment to supporting individuals facing cancer.
In Vietnam, Smile Restaurants are part of a philanthropic initiative aimed at providing affordable and nutritious meals to people with lower incomes or those facing challenging situations. Destination Asia raised funds to support Smile and organized a food drive, donating essential items to the restaurants to help ensure continued access to food for those in need across the country.
Earlier this year, Destination Asia Vietnam proudly participated in the "Clean the Bay" event organised by Bhaya Cruises. The beach cleanup brought together volunteers from 14 Destination Management Companies (DMCs), where the team collected thousands of pieces of polystyrene and several hundred kilograms of other waste, all contributing to the preservation of the stunning Hạlong Bay.
In Ho Chi Minh City, team members spent time visiting the local community, providing essentials such as rice, soy sauce, and water to lottery ticket sellers, offering support and making their day a little brighter. The team also visited the Thien Duyen Shelter in Cu Chi, which they have provided support for over several years, and donated over 150 kg of rice and a cash contribution to support the center’s efforts in caring for vulnerable individuals.
Destination Asia Japan supported two vital initiatives dedicated to helping those in need. Tokyo Spring Homeless Patrol, a volunteer-based organisation, provides food and supplies to the homeless in Shinjuku, Ueno, and along the Tama River, reaching over 160 individuals each week. The team collected non-perishable food items to donate, ensuring continued support for this important cause.
The team also partnered with HandsOn Tokyo, a non-profit organisation focused on alleviating the struggles of low-income households, children’s homes, elderly homes, and individuals with disabilities. The team contributed to their efforts by organising a food drive, and collecting and donating essential items to help provide relief to those facing hardship.
Destination Asia Cambodia, in partnership with the Kai Foundation, has continued its long-standing support for Mebon Primary School, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archaeological Park.
Despite facing challenges in securing permissions for structural upgrades, the team completed several essential improvements to enhance the learning environment including repairing the classroom roof, installing new playground facilities, restoring concrete flooring, and donating fans to create a more comfortable and conducive atmosphere for both students and teachers.
Food from the Heart has been a beacon of hope for those in need across Singapore. As a dedicated food bank, its mission is to alleviate hunger and minimise food waste through thoughtful and impactful support programs.
Destination Asia Singapore made a significant donation to support Food from the Heart's vital programs. The contribution included essential food items that are essential for helping families in need.
Feeding Hong Kong is a food bank dedicated to reducing food waste and hunger. They collect surplus food from retailers and manufacturers, then redistribute it to charities, providing nutritious meals to those in need while promoting food sustainability.
Destination Asia Hong Kong supported this food bank with cash donations and by collecting and donating non-perishable food items.
