Sumba is one of the poorest regions in Indonesia. As tourism is gradually develops, we believe that responsible tourism is the only way to protect this fragile island in a way that benefits local communities. To break the cycle of poverty, we encourage young adults to dream big and empower them through education, training and work experience. Our foundation consists of a vocational hospitality school that enrols 70 students each year, as well as our own Maringi Sumba hotel and Makan Dulu restaurant.
Sumba needs you. We kindly invite you to get involved by offering many volunteering possibilities or ways to donate. However, most of all, we encourage you to visit Sumba and enjoy the beauty of this Island and its people in a responsible way.
Change a life by sponsoring a student’s education and internship or help out on a smaller scale. Your donations make a difference.
With our projects, we aim to touch all corners of the island to create impact from within the most distant villages. These are the areas that have been positively impacted already.
Hover you mouse over the map of Sumba to find out more about Sumba Hospitality Foundations work with the people of Sumba.
We are involved in Sumbanese Society at all levels, from collaboration with local government to working directly with the communities of Sumba.
Southwest Sumba is the most populous region of Sumba. In its capital Tambolaka, you’ll find Sumba Hospitality Foundation’s offices, as well as our social enterprises: Makan Dulu (restaurant) and Maringi (resort).
South Sumba has always been a hidden gem for surfers. The endless stretches of beach are stunning. Here you can find Nihi, a unique 5-star resort, and an important partner of Sumba Hospitality Foundation since day one.
Central Sumba has a lot to offer: the most amazing waterfalls are hidden all over this central part of Sumba. Although not densely populated, students from several villages in this region have found their way to our school.
East Sumba is the largest, and probably the most traditional region of the Island. It hosts Sumba’s biggest city, Waingapu, as well as countless traditional villages, and the enchanting landscapes of Bukit Wairinding.
Since 2016, the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) has been making high-quality vocational training accessible to Sumbanese youth. Every year, 72 students embark on an 18-month vocational training journey. They each specialise in a department of their choice (Culinary, Food & Beverage, Front Office, Spa or Housekeeping) and receive intensive tuition in combination with English, life skills and sustainability.
Young people are the future of Sumba. Only they can end the circle of poverty. That is why we not only encourage young adults to dream big, we also empower them by education, training, and work experience. We run a hotel school and educational training restaurant for the underprivileged youth of Sumba.
Next to general and vocational education, our students enjoy on-the-job training at our social projects: Maringi, a small training resort with 5-star service, and Makan Dulu, a one-of-a-kind training restaurant specializing in Indonesian food with a Sumbanese flair.
Every year, our graduates start their new lives either with a 6-month internship in renowned hotels or restaurants or immediately finding employment in well-established businesses. Whichever path they take, one thing is for certain, their lives will never be the same.
At SHF, responsible tourism is put into practise as our students gain work experience during their learning journey at our training hotel Maringi Sumba or our training restaurant Makan Dulu. The hotel familiarises guests with genuine hospitality and is located on the school’s beautiful and tranquil campus. The Makan Dulu restaurant with its bamboo structure serves delicious Indonesian dishes with a Sumbanese twist.
Tourism on Sumba is developing gradually and steadily. If left unchecked, it could easily threaten the pristine landscapes and ancient culture that Sumba possesses. But tourism can also be an incredible opportunity. We believe that responsible tourism is the only way to protect the island in a way that benefits local communities. Sumba has everything it takes to become a world leader in the development of responsible tourism.
We train young people with the necessary skills in the hospitality industry and work with communities and investors on environmental conservation and long-term planning. We lead by example with our social projects, Maringi Sumba and Makan Dulu.
Tourism on Sumba is developing gradually and steadily. If left unchecked, it could easily threaten Sumba’s unspoilt landscapes and ancient culture. But tourism can also be an incredible opportunity. We believe that responsible tourism is the only way to protect the island in a way that benefits local communities. Sumba has everything it needs to become a world leader in the development of responsible tourism. Our 6C framework guides us on this journey as we strive for a balance between Climate, Conservation, Circularity, Culture, Community and Commerce in everything we do.
Our aim is to raise environmental awareness among students, tourists and the local community. Our buildings are all constructed from bamboo, a fast-growing and local material. 288 solar panels provide us with renewable energy to power the campus and hotel.
In line with permaculture principles, we only use natural fertiliser made from our food waste. 90% of our wastewater is reused to irrigate our 3-hectare farm. Students are involved in the process and learn about organic farming methods with a focus on long-term sustainability.
