Wayan Suena, CEO Indonesia Impression
ON the island of Lombok, where the sound of horse-drawn cidomo carriages once echoed through the narrow streets, a young boy named Wayan Suena dreamed of a life far beyond what his family’s modest means could provide. His father, a humble cidomo driver, spent long days under the sun transporting passengers, while his mother reminded her children that honesty and independence were wealth no hardship could take away.
For Suena, growing up in such circumstances was not a limitation, but a foundation. After junior high school, financial struggles nearly forced him to give up further studies. Yet his fascination with tourism —the lifeblood of Lombok and nearby Bali— pushed him forward. He enrolled at SMIP Mataram, a vocational school specializing in travel and tourism, setting in motion a journey that would shape the rest of his life.
The road was never easy. Each day, Suena walked three kilometers to school because bus fare was beyond reach. After classes, he worked at a local food stall to earn pocket money. But instead of discouragement, these struggles sharpened his resilience. For three consecutive years, he ranked first in his class, proving that determination could outshine any obstacle.
Suena’s father, despite his meager earnings, always found ways to encourage him. Visits to the dormitory were marked not by lavish gifts, but by bags of rice and a few coins —symbols of a father’s unwavering love and sacrifice. Those small gestures carried immense weight, reminding Suena that his dreams carried the hopes of his entire family.
In 1995, after graduation, Suena began training at Hotel Antika Raya. That experience confirmed his passion for hospitality and introduced him to the realities of an industry where language skills opened doors. While English dominated, Suena’s surprising fluency in Japanese gave him a unique advantage and set him apart.
Later that year, with little more than courage and determination, he left Lombok for Bali. For many, it was a leap into the unknown; for Suena, it was the beginning of a lifelong journey in international tourism. From those humble beginnings, he would go on to build a career that crossed borders, cultures, and communities.
Today, his story stands as a reminder: dreams do not belong only to the privileged. They belong to anyone willing to walk the extra miles, endure the struggles, and believe in the possibilities of tomorrow.
Wayan Suena’s journey from a cidomo driver’s son to a tourism professional is not merely a tale of personal success. It is a story of resilience, family sacrifice, and the enduring belief that limitations are not walls, but stepping stones toward a brighter future. **
Writer: Karolina, Editor: Igo Kleden
