Wakatobi Rises to the Challenges of Covid
The coronavirus pandemic created challenges for dive travellers as well as the destinations and resorts they love to visit. This was certainly the case for Wakatobi Dive Resort in Indonesia, which was unable to welcome guests through the majority of 2020 due to travel restrictions and lockdowns. But rather than simply shutter operation, the resort's owners and management team created a proactive plan to weather this global crisis.
Image by Didi Lotze
In March 2020 Wakatobi said farewell to their last guests. It was unclear when they would be able to reopen and without guest revenue to offset operating expenses the management knew that in order to keep the lights on they needed to plan strategically and make economic sacrifices so they got to work.
The main priority during lockdown was to protect the welfare of the local people and communities that were employed directly and indirectly by Wakatobi. They had the option to furlough staff members and guides, however by reducing the team's hours to part time on a rotating basis for 160 local workers they were able to pay those who were not working during this period as well as still paying health insurance and contributions towards pension funds.
Image by Didi Lotze
Another priority was Wakatobi's commitment to conservation and during this time they have continued to fund reef patrols, social programmes and signature lease payments to local villages in exchange for honouring no-take marine zones. Thanks to these measures 20 jobs have been saved and the surrounding reefs have been protected to keep them pristine. Thankfully compliance in the marine sanctuaries has remained high despite the absence of tourism, and locals have been helping to monitor the reefs and respect all no-take areas.
Image by Walt Stearns
Whilst the resort was closed to guests, a small team remained on site including resort founder Lorenz Mäder. The team monitored and patrolled the reefs, maintained old moorings and installed new ones. They also devoted time to beach clean-up operations and collected debris found whilst snorkelling and diving.
Lorenz reports that “The reefs are in prime condition. Waters were about 2º cooler than in the previous El Nino years, providing favourable conditions that have allowed the corals to thrive.” This revitalisation was especially apparent in areas that had suffered damage prior to the establishment of the marine reserve. As a result, large marine life sightings have increased at deeper depths and there are at least five new dive sites to explore once the resort reopens.
Image by Terry Crocker
In addition to maintaining the beach and reef, the team have also focused on the resort and dive operation, updating dive boats, repairing and improving the property, widening and smoothing the jetty and upgrading the airstrip under the supervision of a certified runway engineer.
Image by Didi Lotze
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of staff and management, Wakatobi is ready to open the doors as soon as international travel has normalised and borders are open again. We are already anticipating and planning our return.
Get in touch to find out about staying at Wakatobi Dive Resort.
