Introducing Tresya, a visionary transforming maritime travel with her unique blend of comfort, adventure, sustainability, and a feminine touch. Born into a family deeply rooted in the shipping industry, which then saw the need to evolve into shipbuilding, Tresya is the eldest daughter of a shipyard owner, inheriting a legacy of craftsmanship from a lineage of forward thinkers and opportunity creators. After studying in Australia, she returned to her roots, driven by a desire to support her family’s business during their transition into retirement.
Discovering a Passion Beneath the Waves
Surrounded by industrial vessels such as tugboats, barges, and ferries, Tresya’s goal was to create a more refined, purpose-built craft. However, it was beneath the waves, rather than atop the decks, where she discovered her true passion. Enveloped by the ocean’s serenity and captivated by its vibrant marine life, she embarked on an exploration journey that would change her life forever. Amidst the masculine presence of her family’s ships, Tresya envisioned combining comfort and adventure into one seamless experience.
Inspired by Gaia, the mother of the earth, Tresya dreamed of creating a sanctuary where guests could reconnect with nature while enjoying the utmost comfort. Drawing from her experiences as a mother of two young sons and an avid diver, she sought to create an environment where families could play, explore, and learn together through the beauty of the ocean and marine biodiversity.
Learning from Experience: Shaping the Ideal Liveaboard
Tresya’s extensive experience with liveaboard trips played a crucial role in shaping her vision. Having been on at least 15 liveaboard trips across the Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and Palau, she understood what makes or breaks a liveaboard experience.
Her least favorable experience was on a repurposed wooden fishing boat turned liveaboard. The boat was poorly maintained, unstable, and lacked safety features, with musky rooms and dirty sheets. This instability significantly impacted the entire trip, regardless of the diving quality. In contrast, her most enjoyable experience was aboard a purpose-built steel hull liveaboard in Raja Ampat, which combined top-tier hospitality, a well-designed boat, and incredible dive sites during good weather. The great group dynamics among the divers further enhanced the trip’s enjoyment. These contrasting experiences became the foundation of her vision to create a premium, stable, and well-designed liveaboard that prioritizes both safety and guest comfort.
From Shipbuilder to Liveaboard Operator
Opportunities began to unfold, and Tresya’s dream of entering the liveaboard industry commenced, but she lacked the necessary resources to do this on her own. Her first opportunity to build a liveaboard came with KM Blue Manta, followed by Gaia Love, where she became a stakeholder. This marked her transition from shipbuilder to liveaboard entrepreneur.
Tresya was introduced to Solitude World through mutual connections at industry events such as DEMA, leading to her familiarity with Solitude World and its founders/management. Her shipyard also handled Solitude One’s drydock in 2017 while Gaia Love was still under construction.
The Birth of Solitude Gaia
Amid the global pandemic, Tresya constructed Gaia Hope without a specific operational plan. However, a chance discussion at ADEX 2023 in Singapore led to a suggestion to let Solitude take Gaia Hope to Palau. After subsequent meetings and discussions, the collaboration was sealed in late September 2023, and by December 2023, Gaia Hope officially became Solitude Gaia. Solitude World brought the essential business acumen and asset management expertise to bring her vision to life.
“Their strengths in marketing and their local know-how in Palau were key factors. Their established professionalism and hospitality ensure travellers receive personal care, elevating the guest experience and streamlining operational efficiency,” Tresya explains.
Designing Solitude Gaia: A Masterpiece of Safety and Sustainability
Tresya’s background in shipbuilding and liveaboard operations greatly influenced the design and construction of Solitude Gaia. Her knowledge of safety standards, functionality, and guest comfort ensures that passengers can have peace of mind and soul.
“Shipping operational knowledge has contributed to the business’s economic and environmental sustainability. Features like the openness of the restaurant and a robust, stable design with fuel efficiency are some examples of this influence,” Tresya notes.
As a meticulous builder and fastidious operator, Tresya understands that divers are becoming more discerning and it’s a continuous process to evolve designs accordingly. Tresya ensures that Solitude Gaia is designed to accommodate both divers and their non-diving travel companions.
“We aim to cater to divers and their non-diving travel partners, providing a variety of activities and ensuring the boat is accommodating for all,” she says.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking to the Future
Entering a competitive and niche industry was challenging for Tresya. Building a reputation and network takes time. “Hiring experienced, dependable staff and working with reputable counterparts helped gain a foothold. Lessons learned include prioritizing safety and professionalism in diving operations, which sets us apart from the rest,” Tresya emphasizes.
Why Palau? A World-Class Diving Destination
Choosing Palau as a destination for Solitude Gaia was influenced by its renowned status as a diving destination. The recent announcement of direct flights from Singapore makes it even more accessible to international travelers.
“Palau’s history, culture, and natural beauty, along with their commitment to nature conservation, inspired me to showcase this balance to our guests,” she says.
Commitment to Sustainability: The Future of Eco-Friendly Liveaboards
Sustainability is a growing concern in the tourism industry, and Solitude Gaia incorporates eco-friendly practices into its operations. Locally sourcing ingredients, following sustainable housekeeping practices, managing waste strictly, and minimizing waste on board are just a few of the measures in place. “We use locally produced reef-safe sunscreen and avoid single-use plastics as much as possible,” Tresya explains.
Looking ahead, Tresya envisions a bright future for Solitude Gaia. “We hope travelers appreciate the boat’s design and the destinations it operates in. We are designing another vessel with electric/hybrid propulsion, with the destination yet to be determined,” she reveals.
The Impact of Solitude World: A Partnership for Excellence
Tresya’s collaboration with Solitude World brings numerous benefits to realizing her goal. Solitude World’s expertise in liveaboard resources, staffing, and management processes, combined with their extensive experience in her desired destination, has been invaluable.
“It was easy to align with the renowned organizational culture, ethos, and core values of Solitude World as they are so similar to my own beliefs. Their genuine commitment to delivering an exceptional level of hospitality is also something I strongly want to uphold,” Tresya explains.
Setting New Standards in Liveaboard Travel
For individual travelers, Solitude Gaia offers personalized experiences that cater to diverse preferences and expectations with a range of amenities and activities. “Our goal is to make the ocean accessible to everyone, kids of all ages. Water activities strengthen family bonds and create unforgettable experiences,” Tresya concludes.
As Solitude Gaia embarks on its maiden voyages, it is designed to stand out in the ever-evolving travel and hospitality landscape. The boat’s spacious design caters to both divers and non-divers, offering collective activities and individual spaces for quiet time, ensuring a personalized experience for each guest demographic.
The collaboration between Tresya and Solitude World exemplifies the power of building supportive business relationships to realise ambitious goals. By harnessing a balanced team with diverse expertise, they bring a blend of innovation and different perspectives, and a shared commitment to ocean admiration, hospitality, and guest satisfaction, setting new standards for the liveaboard and dive excursion industry. As they chart new waters, Tresya and Solitude World invite travellers and business partners alike to join them in celebrating the wonders of our planet, one vessel at a time.