Banyan Tree Krabi has been recognised for its sustainable and environmental practices, becoming the first hotel or resort in the Krabi region to win Silver Certification by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for the hospitality industry. Following a rigorous science-backed audit by EarthCheck, the landmark accolade is underpinned by the resort’s excellence in 10 key performance areas: Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Energy Efficiency; Management of Freshwater Resources; Ecosystem Conservation & Management; Social & Cultural Management; Land Use Planning & Management; Air Quality Protection; Wastewater Management; Solid Waste Management; and Environmentally Harmful Substances. “EarthCheck requires all its members to meet every single criterion, every year,” said the organisation’s Relationship Manager Bingni Wu. “This means businesses must continuously work on both the measurable and qualitative aspects of sustainability. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about making real, ongoing changes.” Sustainability as a Key to Success Head of Banyan Tree Krabi’s Sustainability Team, Thepsuda Loyjiw, said that the resort continually strives to reduce consumption rates through improved efficiency and adopting new technology or practices. A marine biologist, Loyjiw said that the hotel offers eco-friendly activities to guests, including forest bathing and hiking in the national park adjoining the property to help raise awareness about environmental conservation and protecting local flora and fauna. Among the cultural options, guests can indulge in Thai cookery classes, Thai boxing, Thai language lessons or a visit to an elephant sanctuary. The hotel also organises beach clean-up campaigns, and — as part of the Banyan Tree brand’s worldwide “Stay For Good” initiative — tours to a local fishing community where guests can participate in handcraft workshops. Among projects earmarked for the year ahead, Loyjiw said her team is preparing the groundwork for a cage-free egg policy at the hotel, as well as a sustainable seafood programme. Award-Winning Resorts Located on secluded Tubkaek Beach and opened in 2020, Banyan Tree Krabi is flanked to the rear by a forested national park while facing out towards a sea of karst limestone towers — undoubtedly one of Thailand’s most iconic and enduring images — which are uninhabited and protected as a national marine park. The hotel is tiered into a lush landscape, all of which is dominated by a rollercoaster of mountains. The resort offers 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa, and a majestic seven-bedroom beachfront Presidential Villa. Each of the rooms faces the sea and the sunset as the property tiers into the hillside. Facilities include two restaurants and a beach bar, a beach club, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and — in keeping with Banyan Tree’s wellness branding — a rainforest-themed spa. The hotel seeks to follow in the footsteps of its sister resort farther to the east in Thailand, Banyan Tree Samui, which launched in 2010 and was recently presented by EarthCheck with the highest level of certification, Platinum, making it the first and only hotel or resort in the country to reach this prestigious milestone. Both Banyan Tree resorts were recognised in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards this year, with Banyan Tree Krabi voted No 4 in the Top Resorts in Thailand category, and Banyan Tree Samui claiming the No 5 title. To learn more about Banyan Tree Krabi’s various sustainability efforts, visit: https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/krabi/sustainability

The post Banyan Tree Krabi Achieves Sustainability Badge of Honour appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Banyan Tree Samui has become the first and only hotel in Thailand to be accorded Platinum Certification by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for sustainable tourism. The award of EarthCheck’s Platinum Certification marks 10 years of continuous excellence by the resort in 10 key performance areas: Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Energy Efficiency; Management of Freshwater Resources; Ecosystem Conservation & Management; Social & Cultural Management; Land Use Planning & Management; Air Quality Protection; Wastewater Management; Solid Waste Management; and Environmentally Harmful Substances. Although other hotel chains have received similar accolades from EarthCheck at a group level, Banyan Tree Samui stands alone as the sole resort or hotel to be recognised with Platinum Certification at a single-property level. “Banyan Tree Samui‘s achievement in receiving the EarthCheck Platinum Certification is a landmark moment in sustainable tourism in Thailand,” said EarthCheck CEO Stewart Moore. “This certification reflects not just a decade of commitment to environmental stewardship, but also a dedication to social responsibility and economic sustainability.” Sustainability Efforts Banyan Tree Samui said it strives to reduce consumption rates through improved efficiency and adopting new technology or practices. Energy, carbon emissions, water use, and waste production are closely monitored, measuring progress against context-specific industry baselines and best practices, established in collaboration with EarthCheck. Led by a marine biologist, the resort’s Sustainability team offers guests “green” activities such as a nature trail with bird-spotting, guided snorkelling tours to the resort’s very own coral reef, and the opportunity to join an on-site tree-planting activity. Guests may also opt to join a plethora of cultural activities including Thai cookery classes, Thai boxing, Thai language lessons or a visit to an elephant sanctuary. “Caring for the environment is in our DNA,” said Ms.Thepsuda Loyjiw, the resort’s Sustainability Manager. “Banyan Tree was founded with the core value of driving sustainable development. We see sustainability in terms of not only the environment, but also the local communities in which we operate.” Banyan Tree Samui recently funded the rebuilding of a local school that had been destroyed by a tropical storm, and Thepsuda, joined by several volunteers from the hotel, rolled up their sleeves to help by working on landscaping and other labour-intensive tasks. Reconstruction at the Wat Santi Wanaram Child Development Centre was completed in January 2023, providing 103 children and their teachers a safe environment for lunch, activities and play. Other initiatives implemented successfully by Banyan Tree Samui in recent years include a blood drive campaign, and the ongoing “Seedlings Mentorship” project aimed at nurturing young Samui students between 12 and 18, providing them with vocational and life skills and education, as well as offering scholarships and financial support to enable select students to continue into higher education. In October 2023, Banyan Tree Samui organised a recycling scheme with its coffee provider Nespresso. “We return all the capsules with the coffee grains still inside,” said Thepsuda. “Nespresso then separates the aluminium for recycling and the ground coffee to be used as compost or fertiliser.” Award-Winning Resorts Following in the footsteps of its elder sister resort, Banyan Tree Krabi, which opened in 2020 on the Andaman coast, is also looking at achieving recognition by EarthCheck as an eco-torchbearer in Thailand, following its latest onsite audit in September 2023. Both Banyan Tree resorts were recognised in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards this year, with Banyan Tree Krabi voted No 4 in the Top Resorts in Thailand category, and Banyan Tree Samui claiming the No 5 title. Opened in 2010, the 88-key Banyan Tree Samui is a luxury all-pool villa resort, with a pristine beach, blissful spa escapes, exquisite dining offerings, locally-infused experiences, a personal Villa Host concierge, and unparalleled views. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs. The resort hosts three restaurants, a spa with Banyan Tree’s signature Rainforest hydrotherapy facility, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, a meetings and events centre, and a library. Beachfront activities available to guests include paddle boarding, snorkelling, kayaking, table tennis, a pool table, and yoga classes. To learn more about Banyan Tree Samui’s sustainability efforts, please go to: https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui/sustainability Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from US$585 per night.

The post Hotel Sustainability: Banyan Tree Samui Goes Platinum appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Laguna Lang Co has restated its credentials as one of Vietnam’s most sustainable large-scale projects by retaining its EarthCheck “Gold Certification” for 2022. One of Asia’s most far-reaching integrated resorts, Laguna Lang Co encompasses award-winning hotels Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co, as well as Laguna Golf Lang Co — a signature design by UK legend Sir Nick Faldo. Located in a part of Vietnam renowned for its pristine nature, Laguna Lang Co prides itself on having a strong focus on sustainability. Notable initiatives include a moratorium on single-use plastics and its “edible golf course” planted with rice fields and tended by water buffalos. EarthCheck is regarded as the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. And the retention of Gold status is another key indicator of a successful wider sustainability push by Laguna Lang Co. “Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we are fortunate enough to have one of its most visually stunning sites,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co. “Our resort can be viewed as an escape to nature and we are determined to do everything in our power to preserve its unique qualities.” The resort has completely eradicated the use of single-use plastics in almost all aspects of its operations. Laguna Lang Co has finalized the installation of its own water bottling plant to allow the resort to completely eliminate plastic water bottles and utilize reusable glass bottles. Other key green initiatives at the resort include a tree-planting program aimed at increasing tree cover for local unused land and providing a new income source for underprivileged communities in Lang Co. The species — Melaleuca quinquenervia — is efficient in oil production and brings higher economic returns than traditional indigenous tree varieties. Additional programs feeding into the EarthCheck accolade include trash collecting activities, sponsorship of underprivileged youths through the resort’s Seedlings Mentorship Program, and sustainability workshops in local communities conducted by Laguna Lang Co Sustainability Officers. The resort is also focused on its successful “Greater Good Grant” initiative. Launched in 2020, the program offers sustainability projects around Vietnam access to eco grants. With the initiative ongoing, the resort is encouraging applicants to come forward and take advantage of financial support that will help them build a better future. “To continue to keep EarthCheck Gold Certificate status and achieve a higher EarthCheck certificate in the future, we need to work hard and pay more attention to protect the environment and community,” added Calver. “We are passionate about being an industry-leader for sustainability here in Vietnam. We need to deliver a clean, safe, prosperous, and healthy destination for travellers to visit, live, work, and play at our resort.”

The post Laguna Golf Lang Co EarthCheck “Gold” Status appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Laguna Golf Lang Co has restated its credentials as one of Vietnam’s greenest clubs by retaining its EarthCheck “Gold Certification” for 2021. With initiatives including a moratorium on single-use plastics and its “edible golf course” planted with rice fields and tended by water buffalos, the award-winning layout — a signature design by UK legend Sir Nick Faldo — is regarded as a standard-bearer for a greener, more sustainable golf industry in Vietnam It is one of only three golf courses in the world to achieve EarthCheck Gold certification, a status it earned at the end of 2019. EarthCheck is regarded as the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. And the retention of Gold status is another key indicator of a successful wider push by Laguna Golf Lang Co to be the most sustainable course in the Southeast Asian country. “Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we are fortunate enough to have one of its most visually stunning sites,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co. “Golf is a game that immerses us in nature as it plays to all our senses. Thus, we are committed to ensuring this harmony with nature is protected and our surrounding environment can flourish.” A key component of Laguna Lang Co, one of Asia’s most far-reaching integrated resorts, which encompasses award-winning hotels Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co, Laguna Golf Lang Co is part of a wider sustainability success story at the project. The resort has completely eradicated the use of single-use plastics in almost all aspects of its operations. At Laguna Golf Lang Co this has involved scrapping items made of plastic such as on-course garbage bags, locker room accessories, plastic cups and straws and replacing them with ones made from materials such as bamboo, paper, steel or natural grass. Laguna Lang Co has finalized the installation of its own water bottling plant to allow the resort to completely eliminate plastic water bottles and utilize reusable glass bottles. Other key green initiatives at the resort include a tree-planting program aimed at increasing tree cover for local unused land and providing a new income source for underprivileged communities in Lang Co. The species — Melaleuca quinquenervia — is efficient in oil production and brings higher economic returns than traditional indigenous tree varieties. Additional programs feeding into the EarthCheck accolade include trash collecting activities, sponsorship of underprivileged youths through the resort’s Seedlings Mentorship Program, and sustainability workshops in local communities conducted by Laguna Lang Co Sustainability Officers. The resort is also focused on its successful “Greater Good Grant” initiative. Launched in 2020, the program offers sustainability projects around Vietnam access to eco grants. With the initiative ongoing, the resort is encouraging applicants to come forward and take advantage of financial support that will help them build a better future. “Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, Laguna Lang Co commits to support the local community as much as we can,” said Gavin Herholdt, Laguna Lang Co Managing Director. “Our sustainability journey can help deliver impactful projects and initiatives aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

The post Laguna Golf Lang Co Retains EarthCheck “Gold” Status appeared first on Asian Itinerary.