Finding opportunities to discover hidden magic in everyday moments, to treasure and embrace the beauty of life’s little things.

In Essentially Guangxi, located in the southern part of China we take you into the magic of nature to experience a moment of deep harmony with the natural world. This region, so famous for its towering limestone peaks which form part of the larger South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to dragon legends, zongzi, folk songs, and more to explore.

Indonesia’s East Java never ceases to impress globe-trotters with a landscape of fire, mist, and myth. From the surreal sunrises over Mt. Bromo’s volcanic caldera to the lush coastal charm of Banyuwangi, this region offers a journey that’s both elemental and soulful. Banyuwangi, often referred to as the “Sunrise of Java,” seamlessly blends tradition and biodiversity, featuring hidden waterfalls, surf-friendly beaches, and a vibrant Osing culture. Whether you’re drawn by adventure, serenity, or the stories etched into the land, East Java invites you to explore Indonesia’s wild beauty with wonder and respect.

Home is really where all of the magic happens. Nowadays, home plays a more significant role in our futures, not only as a place where personal, heartfelt moments and memories are made, but as a place where hard work, creativity, and success are achieved. In this issue, we feature an extensive range of exclusive, comfortable, home-away-from-home hotels and residences for discerning travellers for leisure or business.

We also have an exclusive interview with Chris Godfrey, CO-CEO & Global Principal of HBA Residential, one of the world’s leading hospitality design firms with more than 60 years of heritage. Under his leadership, HBA’s approach has centred on “giving form to emotion”, a guiding principle that informs every project, from concept to completion.

In the modern world, digitalization is now inevitable due to competitiveness, innovation, and efficiency across all sectors. This is changing how businesses operate, how consumers interact with products and services, and even how economies function. With this in mind, we feature hotel leaders and experts who share their insights and perspectives from various angles. Eva Rosdiana, as General Manager of HARRIS Suites Puri Mansion Jakarta, assures us that leadership is not defined by gender, but by heart, consistency, and the courage to step up despite the challenges. Hendy Wijonyo, as Multi-Property General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Bekasi & Fairfield by Marriott Bekasi, believes that consistently being adaptive and adopting guest-centric approaches are the foundation of modern hospitality.

From an HR point of view, the importance of Upskilling Trends from Reqruit Asia, recommends building workforce readiness for future global challenges in the economy and environment. A positive direction for professionals, where committing to lifelong learning is not just about staying relevant but securing career resilience and higher earning potential. For organizations, the return on investment in upskilling is equally compelling.

Sri Utami
Editor in Chief