Leading international sustainable hospitality brand Banyan Tree Group has announced the “Stay For Good” program, aimed at offering travelers a deeper experience and an opportunity to give back to the communities they visit.
Banyan Tree Group is already known for its sustainability commitments across its ten global brands, which include 68 properties in 23 destinations.
“Banyan Tree’s founders Ho Kwon Ping and Claire Chiang’s had a vision: to develop an alternative to a holiday villa in Phuket, Thailand — something more than a luxury hotel brand or resort chain,” Isabelle Kliger explains in Forbes.
“However, before they could start construction, they faced the challenge of remediating an old, disused tin mine in Bang Tao Bay, Phuket, and the surrounding land it occupied, which the United Nations had deemed unfit for development. They planted thousands of trees in the arid land and detoxified the stagnant lagoons, allowing life to wash back into the bay. By 1994, an ecological wasteland had been transformed into the first-ever Banyan Tree resort,” Kliger wrote.
Since 2013, Banyan Tree has worked to achieve Gold Certifications from EarthCheck for meeting sustainable tourism criteria, including energy, emissions, water, waste, and paper as well as its abstinence from harsh chemical and pesticide use. EarthCheck also measures community support and involvement.
That commitment has extended throughout the group’s subsequent launches and is woven into the fabric of the new program.
Under this multi-brand Banyan Tree initiative, tourists will be whisked away to a variety of extraordinary and often less-traveled locales across the globe. These include the rich cultural traditions of Kyoto, Japan, and the striking colonial architecture of Puebla, Mexico. Each journey is customized to immerse the traveler in a unique experience.
“We believe that travel should be about more than just a vacation. It should be an opportunity to explore new perspectives, gain fresh inspiration, and immerse oneself in the culture and heritage of the places we visit,” Head of Communications of Banyan Tree Group, Adhiyanto Goen, said in a statement. “Our Stay For Good program offers just that – an opportunity to connect with local communities and contribute to the sustenance of their precious heritage.”
At Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, travelers will journey to Singaperang Village, where they will join a local farmer in foraging for native fruits and enjoy homemade delicacies.
In Kyoto, guests will be invited to explore an age-old Japanese tradition dating back to the Jomon period, 2,000 years ago. Tourists will be guided through a traditional home with a thatched roof (kayabuki) and get hands-on experience in constructing these environmentally friendly roofs under expert supervision.
In Puebla, Mexico, guests will journey to the rural village of San Jerónimo Tecuanipan, visiting Casita de Barro, an initiative that promotes sustainable living and traditional farming practices.
Goen also emphasized the commitment of Banyan Tree Group towards sustainability and social responsibility. “Our approach is inspired by the concept of regenerative tourism, and this is reflected in the range of sustainability-related activities we provide to our guests. We believe that through travel and tourism, there is potential to make a positive impact on the communities we visit and the environment we operate in,” he added.
The Stay For Good program is set to be introduced across all Banyan Tree Group properties worldwide, which includes Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa, Garrya, and Homm.
Related on Ethos:
