“Healthy cultural progress within a technology-based word depends on the curiosity, imagination and boldness of individuals, of entrepreneurs, of people who dare to see what is not there yet.” – Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng
As the executive director of host venue Penang Institute, Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng, took the stage for his opening speech, there was an undeniable air of excitement and anticipation at WiT Indie 2023 in Penang.
The indie edition of WiT launched in 2018, focusing on startups and creatives and independents who embrace the indie travel spirit, promised to be a transformative event that would ignite, or at the very least foster curiosity, imagination, and boldness. WiT Indie had been away from Penang, Malaysia for three years – its 2020 edition was held in March, right before borders shuttered – and yet, it felt like no one had missed a beat.
The indie edition of WiT gathered close to 140 delegates from across the region, to learn about what new technology could empower the independent segment of travel.
In line with the event’s indie spirit, food vendors were carefully selected for their dedication, passion, and purpose. Their offerings extended beyond mere sustenance; each dish was an experience, appealing to both taste and smell. This year, two vendors were added who have the community at heart.
The Angel Community Café exemplified the spirit of giving, supporting the physically challenged, single parents, elderly, and young entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, young entrepreneur Ammar touched hearts with his homemade nasi lemak and nasi tomato, generously distributing “extra” parts of the chicken – like wings – to the homeless later that day.
With an inspiring message, Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng set the stage for an unforgettable gathering. “This event is a beacon of hope, signaling the end of the Covid-19 Era and heralding a new era of optimism, pro-activity, and boldness,” he said to kickstart the day. (On a personal note, Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng wrote a truly inspiring speech, and this article is mostly paraphrasing his work.)
There was no denying that a lot had changed during the pandemic. At WiT Indie, technology-inspired travel took center stage. The audience, made up of travel professionals from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Taiwan, were understandably divided into camps. One camp was worried about the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence. Another camp was optimistic and hopeful about new tech. The rest were ambivalent, choosing to take a “wait and see” approach.
Not to take sides, but it became quite clear eventually that the tools and innovations discussed are more than just solutions; they offer a path out of the pandemic rut and into a positive space, as mentioned by Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng himself. True to the indie mindset, each trip becomes an opportunity for personal growth and cultural progress.
In line with the event’s Indie spirit, food vendors were carefully selected for their dedication, passion, and purpose – and of course, good tasty fare.
“We need not be victims of technology. It’s really up to us. That is why an organization like WiT is so important at this point in time,” urged Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng, highlighting the power of collective action in shaping our technology-driven future. “In a world where information and communication technologies steer our destiny, we can choose to be proactive and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
As we were gathered in Penang, an epicenter of culture and heritage, Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng reminded us of the importance of cultural progress in our travels. The pandemic showed us the undeniable value of mobility, fostering open minds and nurturing inter-cultural curiosity. When fear takes hold, borders and governments become defensive mechanisms, shrinking the public space for cultural exchange. But our global community thrives on curiosity, empathy, and understanding. Cultural progress is the key to international peace.
The pandemic left us yearning for connection and experiences beyond our immediate surroundings. Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng urged us to break free from the chains of deculturalization and reclaim our wanderlust. “In the age of technology, what better way to make this move into a positive mind space than with the help of technology? Thus, technology-inspired travel is key at this point in humanity’s history,” he passionately asserted.
This was indirectly echoed by the numerous discussions on sustainability during the event. What’s heartening is the growing recognition that sustainability isn’t just about turning off the air-conditioning or reusing water bottles in hotel rooms. It’s also about diversity and inclusion and fostering an industry-wide culture that is progressive, ethical, and above all, kind.
Eric Ricaurte (CEO, Greenview) shared his perspective on sustainability in the APAC region.
As the opening speech reached its conclusion, Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng eloquently quoted Marcel Proust, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” Such profound words resonate deeply with the essence of this event. Every journey brings new perspectives, unseeing old biases, and fostering a sense of belonging to the world.
“Would Charles Darwin have thought up what he did without his trip to the Galapagos?” Dato’ Dr. Kee Beng asked, rhetorically. “Would Alfred Russel Wallace have been so insightful about the natural world if he had not travelled to Southeast Asia? For Alexander von Humboldt, the most influential natural scientist of his time, it was endless travelling that provided him with the data he would use to influence the development of the natural sciences. Such examples are endless as well in the social sciences, not only in the natural sciences.”
And then it was with this one sentence that Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng encapsulated indie travel: “The more you see, the more you unsee. The more you travel the more you are at home in the world.”
