Notes from Tribuana University: About Alor, Sustainable Tourism, and Our Little Dream.
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Last Saturday, I had the honor of visiting Tribuana University Kalabahi (Untrib) for their Anniversary and Graduation Ceremony. The event was attended by around 150 people, and I was invited to share a story and message about sustainable tourism, a topic that has long been part of my journey in Alor.
I am always grateful for my path in marine conservation, which began in 2019 in Alor with WWF Indonesia and has since led me to continue this mission with Nautika Foundation. This journey has brought me countless meaningful moments to share a dream: that the ocean can be a gateway to building this region in a just and sustainable way.
Many people see tourism as an end goal. But for us, tourism is simply one of many possible pathways. The true goal is community well-being and resource resilience. We’ve learned a lot from the pandemic. When the tourism sector collapsed, it was fisheries that remained strong and kept households afloat. This shaped our perspective: tourism should not replace what already exists, it should strengthen the sources of life that communities have relied on for generations. Protecting natural resources, therefore, becomes the foundation for resilient and sovereign communities.
Through Nautika Dive Alor and Nautika Foundation, we are trying to build a working ecosystem that prioritizes local people. Out of 45 staff members, 38 are proud sons and daughters of Alor. They are not only the backbone of our services, but also the face of hospitality, hard work, and quality that is often underestimated by the outside world. We believe that building Alor must begin with its own people.
Nautika Foundation was created to offer a wider space, to reach more people and unlock more potential. The event at Untrib was not merely a ceremony, but also a moment to build hope. I also delivered a message from Hansen to the students, a message that is a reminder for myself as well:
“The key to success lies in your own hands. When you are tired, rest, but don’t quit. When you are confused, find a way forward. Don’t spend your life trying to imitate someone else’s definition of success. Discover your own version of success. Be the wings that protect and carry Alor toward a limitless horizon.”
We hope our presence on campus was not just a formal invitation, but the beginning of a long-term collaboration. We believe that change doesn’t always begin on a big stage. Sometimes, it begins with a small dream, spoken with sincerity in a classroom, on campus grounds, over casual conversations with the community, among those who share the dream of a brighter Alor.
