The Members
The members of APOLA, the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association, form a dynamic and diverse community committed to redefining the outdoor lodging experience in the region. Hailing from various corners of the Asia Pacific, these members share a common passion for responsible tourism, sustainability, and the celebration of local cultures.
Among APOLA's ranks are visionary entrepreneurs leading eco-friendly resorts nestled in lush landscapes, innovative architects designing cutting-edge, low-impact accommodations, and community-driven enterprises that weave the essence of local traditions into the fabric of their lodging offerings.
The association's members are not just businesses; they are pioneers shaping the future of outdoor hospitality. Through their commitment to sustainable practices, dedication to community engagement, and emphasis on guest experiences that resonate with the environment, APOLA members collectively contribute to a more responsible and enriching outdoor lodging industry.
Leadership and Governance in APOLA: Charting a Sustainable Course
At the helm of the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association (APOLA) stands a dedicated leadership committed to steering the association towards a sustainable and impactful future. Embodying the principles of responsible tourism, the leadership within APOLA is characterized by innovation, inclusivity, and a collective vision for the betterment of the outdoor lodging industry in the Asia Pacific region.
Louis Thompson, President.
Louis, current president of APOLA, is the founder and CEO of Nomadic Resorts an award-winning architectural and landscape design office that has delivered innovative, outdoor hospitality projects across the planet since 2011.
Among their most recent work is Playa Viva treehouses in Mexico won the Global Ahead Award 2022 for Cabins, lodges and tented camps. Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Sri Lanka which was voted Global Gamechanger at the 2020 Ahead Awards. The team has designed bespoke green building projects and tented camps for various luxury hotel groups including Soneva, Shangri-La, Banyan Tree, Playa Viva, Red Sea Global, Neom and Resplendent Ceylon.
Louis also founded Nomadic Escapes, a new outdoor hospitality management company creating, a series of biophilic, low-carbon tented camps in the Indian Ocean for guests to enjoy healthy, outdoor adventure sports.
Following his hotel management studies in France, Louis was recruited by Six Senses Resorts and Spas in 2004 as a Permaculture consultant and became the group Director of Green Building and Sustainable Landscaping in 2008, a role in which he helped develop the group’s ground-breaking Sustainability practices.
Throughout his career he has worked at the cutting edge of green building and landscaping projects including ‘Fresh in the Garden’ the pioneering Farm to Fork treetop restaurant at Soneva Fushi, the Treetop Dining Pod at Soneva Kiri and the innovative bamboo treehouses at Playa Viva.
