The Long Run (TLR), a global membership organisation focused on nature conservation and sustainable tourism, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association (APOLA) to advance sustainable outdoor lodging practices across the Asia Pacific region.
Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 8 June, the agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the two organisations across events, knowledge exchange, communications and membership engagement.
The partnership comes as the outdoor lodging sector continues to expand rapidly in Asia Pacific. According to industry estimates cited by APOLA, the segment is growing at approximately 15 per cent annually in the region, compared with an estimated global growth rate of 11 per cent. APOLA works to support the development of operational standards, sustainability frameworks and responsible growth within the outdoor lodging sector, often referred to as glamping.
TLR supports a global network of nature-focused lodges and tourism partners through its ‘4Cs’ framework, which is centred on conservation, community, culture and commerce. Both organisations share a common objective of promoting tourism that delivers environmental, social and economic benefits.
Robert Hecker, Co-founder of APOLA, said: “Outdoor lodging, when developed with genuine environmental consideration and local partnership, can be a powerful tool for rural economic development. In that regard, The Long Run’s best practice experience from sustainable lodges around the world will help our members in Asia Pacific develop responsibly and with confidence.”
Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, Executive Director of TLR, added: “Our new partnership with APOLA reflects a shared commitment to strengthening sustainable outdoor lodging across Asia Pacific through practical collaboration, events, knowledge exchange, membership engagement and communications.”
As part of the collaboration, APOLA is supporting TLR’s Asia Pacific Regional Hub Meeting, scheduled to take place from 15-17 June at Cardamom Tented Camp. The event, themed “From Influence to Evidence: The 4Cs in Practice”, will bring together conservation-led accommodation providers, nature-based lodges, responsible tourism businesses and sustainability-focused organisations from across the region.
“The hub meeting is designed for those already on their sustainability journey and those looking for a community to support their efforts,” said Zschiegner.
Beyond events, the partnership will explore opportunities to co-host workshops, panel discussions and training programmes aimed at strengthening sustainability performance across the outdoor lodging sector. The organisations also plan to facilitate the exchange of industry knowledge and best practices to help operators address challenges related to sustainability, investment, regulatory compliance, planning approvals, guest experience and marketing.
The agreement reflects growing industry recognition of the role that responsible tourism and sustainable accommodation can play in supporting conservation outcomes, local communities and long-term destination development across Asia Pacific.
