Sayan Gulino

Tell us your story – how did you get here?

Ah, where to begin. Well, I was conceived in Bali, (apparently in Sayan near Ubud, hence the name) and spent my early years in Bali. I lived in Europe for a short stint before returning to the island. I grew up in multicultural surroundings, which allowed me to broaden my perspectives and change my school of thought. I feel very fortunate to now call Bali home. My father was the founder of Waterbom so I grew up around the park. He wanted to challenge the plastic model of waterparks so that it wouldn’t be a detriment to the land, but instead a place to make people happy, where fun happens. This culture seeped into my veins.

In 2017 I became CEO of Waterbom, and through the power of curiosity I got to where I am today. This is combined with passion and grit, and most importantly, perspective – how you view things, and what are your optics. And for the most part, if I fell or I failed, I tried to not see obstacles but only see opportunities.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

To me, “culture” is the cornerstone of a business and its success. The accomplishment I’m most proud of is being able to sustain and build culture within Waterbom.

There’s also accomplishment by accolades, and Waterbom was recently recognised as the Grand Title Winner in Sustainability and Social Responsibility at the 2023 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards, which we were very proud to receive.

Lastly, the accomplishment of seeing a vision turning into a realisation – there’s so much beauty and power in that. Our team this year has been busy working on the opening of our new Oasis Gardens area, and to see that come to life – it’s touching.

What impact have you made in Bali?

Waterbom is a fun place, we’re a ‘happiness maker’! The impact of Waterbom is that we take our guests away from their day-to-day realities, and it’s a transformative experience. Aside from that, the other impact of Waterbom is by being an environmentally responsible role model for the island, and how businesses should be conducted sustainably. Hopefully we have motivated others to have a more sustainably-conscious approach to life and business.

What does the future look like for you?

The future definitely looks fun; it looks like an exploration, a mystery, and very very busy. But what I can see in the foreseeable future is that we’re completing phase 2, which is a revamp of our kids area in our current park (due to open in 2024). And then there will be phase 3, a new and different concept that sits under the Waterbom umbrella, and carries over our vibe and Waterbom style with an immersive experience. Stay tuned for more on that next year!

What do you love most about Bali?

What I love most about Bali is the feeling and its atmosphere. If I leave and I come back, the moment I step off the plane, I can feel Bali. It’s a special feeling that can’t really be described, but it exists. And of course the natural landscape, the topography, the people. I love the fact that there can be a waterfall, a river, a lake, and the ocean, all within the span of three hours. For me, being a nature boy, and growing up here on the island, that is beautiful in itself.

What does being sustainable mean to you?

To me, sustainability means economic and ecological harmony, and balance. That’s what sustainability is, living sustainably by definition.

Who is your Local Legend and why?

A Local Legend, for me personally, is not an individual, but the collective. It’s the collective that makes the story, so it’s hard for me to choose just one person. There are so many great individuals in Bali that are so selfless in making their part be impactful and powerful.

Legends are everywhere, and are needed for the change we want to see in the world today. We all have to do our part, as a collective.