The Alchemist Travel Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alchemist Travel travel curators, will begin sponsoring a series training programmes at the hospitality school managed by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) in Indonesia. The first group of hospitality specialists will begin their six-week stint this month.
The initiative aligns with Alchemist Travel’s mission to support and fund projects that promote responsible tourism, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship. Alchemist Travel Foundation donates two per cent of all of its profits to grassroots projects and initiatives that drive and support sustainable tourism.
Jo Hendry-Prior, co-founder at Alchemist Travel, told TTG Asia: “We are fundamentally passionate about changing the way people think about travel on every level, and believe that education is key to this. Hence, we have always been particularly inspired by the work that the SHF do.”
SHF provides underprivileged youth in Sumba with world-class hospitality training, equipping them with skills in luxury service, sustainability, and tourism management. The foundation’s on-site school offers hands-on learning through the operation of Maringi Sumba, a sustainable eco-resort that embraces renewable energy, water recycling, and responsible hospitality practices, as well as its restaurant, Makan Dulu.
The Alchemist Travel Foundation’s initial training contribution to SHF involves Sophie Larrouture, an independent F&B and hospitality consultant and Martial Facchinetti, banquet chef at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Geneva. Facchinetti is also a member of Goutatoo Association, which promotes good cuisine in Switzerland.
Larrouture and Facchinetti will remain in Sumba for six weeks to impart their experience in sustainability efforts, such as menu development with local ingredients, food waste reduction, and staff training.
When asked why they were chosen for this training sponsorship, Hendry-Prior said: “They are experts in the F&B industry and will bring different expertise to Sumba. Both are passionate about helping to improve F&B offerings, and are personally driven in initiatives for sustainable growth and F&B management. Having worked together before, they are inspired by the work that SHF is doing…to help end the poverty cycle on the island of Sumba through education.”
While training has yet to begin, the Alchemist Travel Foundation is already planning further support for SHF.
Hendry-Prior said: “We will definitely continue working with SHF, along other initiatives that we, as a team, feel passionate about. We have started speaking to other experts about running more training programmes with SHF, and have other projects in the planning stages as well.
“Alchemist Travel has been working in the luxury travel industry for over 20 years, so we have an amazing network of experts who can…impart valuable expertise to smaller hotels and businesses in the industry.”
Hester Vanacker, director, SHF, expressed his gratitude to Alchemist Travel in a press statement. “Direct access to industry experts provides invaluable experience for our students, equipping them with the skills and confidence to build successful careers in sustainable hospitality,” he said.
