KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): For his latest hospitality venture, veteran hotelier James Low unveiled a new boutique heritage guesthouse concept in Bhutan. Tshomen Paro, the inaugural property of his SoulStays brand, revolves around a concept deeply rooted in local history and folklore. It is housed in an authentic sixth-generation ancestral home and takes its design cues from the Tashi Tagye, or the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.

“Hotels often become so obsessed with brand standard operating procedures that they inadvertently bleach the spirit out of the place. We created SoulStays to do the exact opposite: partner with heritage homes, protect their soul, elevate their comfort and celebrate their stories,” Low explained.

In other news, The Bicester Collection’s Unlock Her Future Prize returned for its fourth edition in Shanghai last month. The annual start-up competition shines a light on enterprising women reimagining solutions to systemic gaps in society. This year’s East and Southeast Asian leg produced four winners: China’s Kyle Li of 38fixers, Indonesia’s Azalea Ayuningtyas of Birufinery, Alfi Munajat of HerLens and Vietnam’s Nhung Tran Huyen of Tam Nhung.

On the topic of entrepreneurship, this issue also features Sebijihub, a local social enterprise that connects farmers with consumers, businesses and communities. Its adopt-a-farm model develops customised packages based on the farmers’ operational needs and available resources, allowing financial supporters to participate in the farming process, whether by tending their own plot, growing produce, visiting the site, or taking part in corporate engagement and corporate social responsibility activities.

Read more in the Nov 16 issue of Options in The Edge Malaysia weekly.

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