VitaHealth-Tropicana 'OFFLINE 16' expansion draws over 1,900 participants

PETALING JAYA (July 17): VitaHealth Malaysia and Tropicana Corp Bhd’s OFFLINE 16 digital detox initiative has surpassed 1,900 participants, following its latest Dance & Busking Festival at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort (TGCR), marking the 10th event under the programme since its launch in 2024.

The event on Sunday (July 12) drew more than 260 participants and brought total participation under OFFLINE 16 to more than 1,905 participants, with the programme recording 54 cumulative offline hours to date. The initiative has also been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records, said Tropicana in a press statement on Monday.

OFFLINE 16 was launched as an initiative encouraging participants to spend time away from digital devices through physical activities, community interaction and wellness-focused experiences. Since its inception, the programme has expanded to include themed activities such as sports challenges, nature-based programmes, environmental initiatives and regional editions across Malaysia and Singapore.

The Dance & Busking Festival, held from 9am to 5pm at TGCR, featured dance workshops, live performances, Zumba, Piloxing sessions, live busking, recycling workshops, a wellness zone, a mental wellness hub and interactive games.

The event was co-organised by VitaHealth, a subsidiary of Australian-listed Vita Life Sciences, and Tropicana, which has served as venue and community partner for the initiative. Watsons Malaysia was the main retail partner, while supporting organisations included the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA), Team Namja, Precious Plastic Malaysia and Sekret Studio.

A highlight of the programme was a dance workshop and performance by Team Namja, a 14-member Malaysian male dance crew established in 2022 that has represented Malaysia in international competitions.

Vita Life Sciences Malaysia and Singapore CEO and OFFLINE 16 founder Dr KS Beh said the initiative had grown from a device-free challenge into a wider wellness programme.

“What began as a simple challenge encouraging people to put away their phones and reconnect with life has since grown into a broader mental wellness movement, a core part of our ESG commitment,” he said.

Beh added that the initiative had evolved beyond being offline, incorporating self-care, healthier habits, physical activity and wellness practices.

Tropicana Foundation programme director and Tropicana Corp senior general manager of group corporate communications and ESG Serena Lim said the collaboration aligned with the group’s focus on community-building initiatives.

“It is about shifting mindsets, encouraging healthier, less device-dependent lifestyles, and strengthening meaningful human connections,” she said.

Lim said the initiative reflected Tropicana’s ESG focus on People, Planet and Partnership, adding that the group’s community efforts extended beyond the delivery of homes.

OFFLINE 16 began with a 16-hour continuous offline experience at TGCR in 2024, which attracted 300 participants. Subsequent activities included pickleball challenges, nature retreats, a beach cleanup in Sabah, a Singapore edition and a Halloween fun walk in Subang Jaya.

The organisers said the next OFFLINE 16 event will be held in Penang, although details including the date and format had not been announced at the time of publication.

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