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Wednesday 27 December 2023

Samui resort recognised for its environmental efforts

 

The environment is a key selling point for hotel properties in Asia and the Banyan Tree in Koh Samui has just become the first hotel in Thailand recognised at the highest level for its eco-friendly achievements. 

The beach resort has been given Platinum Certification by EarthCheck, which is billed as the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for sustainable tourism.

The award of EarthCheck’s Platinum Certification marks 10 years of hard work 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 is the only stand-alone resort or hotel to be recognised with Platinum Certification. 

"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.”

Banyan Tree aims 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 can also 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 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. 

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. 

Banyan Tree Samui opened in 2010 and is an 88-key all-pool villa resort. The 38-acre property is rich in flora and plant life, and its private beach is flanked by coral reefs.

To learn more about Banyan Tree Samui’s sustainability efforts, see https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui/sustainability

Villas at Banyan Tree Samui, each with a private infinity pool, start from $US585 per night.

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