OUR STORY
Born from the land. Built for the people. Guided by purpose.
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Born from the land. Built for the people. Guided by purpose.
Five Pillar Experiences was founded in 2019 out of deep concern for the future of tourism in Bali. We witnessed how tourism growth often came at the cost of local communities and the environment—benefits were centralized, nature was damaged, and many travelers never truly experienced authentic Bali. Villages were changing, not always for the better. From this concern, we built Five Pillar Experiences as a social enterprise—to reimagine tourism as something that supports local people, protects culture, and respects the land.
When the pandemic brought tourism to a halt, it gave us clarity. In 2020, we turned our focus fully to the people who would become the heart of our work—local heroes. Fishermen, farmers, artisans, cultural practitioners, and community leaders became our foundation and soul. We listened, learned, and began building a movement rooted in protecting what they do, preserving local wisdom, and strengthening community resilience.
In 2021, we began creating village-based experiences that invited visitors to learn directly from local life. These experiences were designed as spaces for mutual learning—where locals and travelers could meet, share, and grow together. It was the beginning of a responsible tourism model built on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and shared benefit.
2022 became a year of experimentation and reflection. Through small-scale programs and local events, we tested, learned, and evaluated the real impact of tourism on communities. This period taught us an essential lesson: tourism can be a powerful force to support local livelihoods—if designed with intention, care, and accountability.
By 2023, our movement began to grow. We built a stronger local team, expanded our capacity, and worked with more than 30 local initiatives. Together, we curated responsible tourism experiences that aligned with our values—ensuring that growth never came at the cost of integrity.
In 2024, we focused on strengthening our systems and professionalism while deepening our impact. Our network expanded to 60 local heroes, and we curated unique experiences across West Bali, North Bali, and Central Bali—intentionally shifting tourism beyond over-visited areas to support more communities across the island.
In 2025, collaboration became key. We worked closely with universities, ethical partners, and aligned institutions that shared our values. This year, we proudly partnered with 90 local heroes, educated more than 4,000 travelers from around the world, and generated over IDR 3 billion in local community income. These numbers represent not success—but responsibility, trust, and collective impact.
I Putu Wiraguna grew up in a farming family in rural West Bali, where he learned early that land, culture, and community are deeply connected. Witnessing how mass tourism often harms local people and nature, he committed his life to building a better way forward.
In 2019, he founded Five Pillar Experiences as a social enterprise using tourism as a force for regeneration—connecting travelers with local communities while protecting culture and livelihoods. His work has grown into a wider ecosystem supporting sustainable tourism, education, youth leadership, and community development across Bali.
Today, Wira has worked with 90+ local heroes, educated 4,000+ travelers, and collaborated with hundreds of global partners. He is a member of the Global Shapers Community (WEF), an Obama Leader Fellow, and an international speaker advocating for ethical and regenerative tourism.
We believe local people are the true guardians of Bali. They are the drivers of positive change, the foundation of sustainability, and the heart of every meaningful experience we create.
Our Local Heroes are farmers, fishers, artisans, guides, healers, educators, and community leaders who open their lives and knowledge to travelers through community-based tourism. We work with them—not above them—learning together, growing together, and supporting them to share their wisdom with the world while preserving what matters most.
Today, we collaborate with 90+ local heroes across Bali, forming a living network that protects culture, strengthens communities, and creates real local impact. From small grassroots initiatives to projects reaching hundreds of people, we believe that small actions can create powerful change.
Want to learn more about our community movement?
Explore Five Pillar InitiativeThe ecosystem begins with community empowerment through Five Pillar Initiative, strengthens capacity through education and training via Five Pillar Academy, transforms learning into experiential journeys with Five Pillar Edutravel, and brings it all to life through ethical travel experiences at Five Pillar Experiences.
Together, these pillars ensure that every journey creates value—not only for travelers, but for communities, culture, and future generations.
Community Empowerment
We start at the grassroots—empowering local communities through sustainable development programs.
Education & Training
We build capacity through professional training and education in sustainable tourism practices.
Experiential Learning
We transform knowledge into experience through immersive educational journeys.
Ethical Travel
We bring it all together through authentic, ethical travel experiences that benefit everyone.
Community Empowerment
We start at the grassroots—empowering local communities through sustainable development programs.
Education & Training
We build capacity through professional training and education in sustainable tourism practices.
Experiential Learning
We transform knowledge into experience through immersive educational journeys.
Ethical Travel
We bring it all together through authentic, ethical travel experiences that benefit everyone.
Community Empowerment
We start at the grassroots—empowering local communities through sustainable development programs.
Education & Training
We build capacity through professional training and education in sustainable tourism practices.
Experiential Learning
We transform knowledge into experience through immersive educational journeys.
Ethical Travel
We bring it all together through authentic, ethical travel experiences that benefit everyone.