Sustainability at Banyan Tree Phuket

Banyan Tree was founded with the core value of driving sustainable development. We employ an integrated and participatory approach, to minimise our impact while safeguarding and enhancing the human and physical environment for present and future generations.

As stewards of responsible tourism, we have conceptualised our values in our "Brand for Good" framework to go beyond the precautionary approach and inspire exceptional experiences among our guests to "embrace the environment and empower people" at each of our locations.

SUSTAINABILITY ACHIEVEMENTS

Banyan Tree Phuket has been the recipient of various industry-recognized awards for our compliance to the most stringent environmental practices.

EarthCheck Silver Certification
EarthCheck, the world's leading scientific benchmarking and certification group for sustainable tourism, awarded our resort Silver Certification as recognition for continuous certification since 2014 which incorporates annual measurement of operational indicators such as energy; emissions; water, waste and paper use; chemical and pesticide use; and community involvement.

SEEDLINGS

The Seedlings programme was created to nurture young people at risk of societal exclusion, providing vocational and life skills and education, and preparing them for life and work. This two-phased programme supports mentorship and scholarships:

Mentorship: Young people between the age of 12 and 18 are mentored by volunteering associates who've undergone mentor training.

Scholarships: Banyan Tree Phuket provides financial support for young people who face challenges in affording to continue their education.

Seedlings Café:  Leveraging Banyan Tree Phuket's Food and Beverage expertise, training includes an internship within hotel outlets, with graduates working at a Seedlings Cafe before permanent job placement at local outlets.

This is a year-long programme that will strengthen the youth's proficiency in English and IT.

In partnership with Prince of Songkla University and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Welfare, many of the graduates and previously-employed students are now working in the hospitality industry in Phuket and neighbouring provinces. 

PLASTIC-FREE BANYAN

The resort is committed to our brand-wide pledge to reduce and ultimately eliminate single-use plastics from our operations, as part of our continued effort to directly address the detrimental effect that plastic is having on the environment and marine life.

In 2018, Banyan Tree Phuket reduced its plastic footprint by over 360,000 items - a 31.2% reduction.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Banyan Tree's efforts connect with the issue of global climate action by conserving resources through efficient operations, with external assurance by EarthCheck, the leading benchmarking certification within the travel and tourism industry.

GREENING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Banyan Tree aim is to restore the natural environment, whilst raising awareness of climate change through tree-planting events, around the area in which we operate, with a current target of 2,000 trees per year. In the first ten years we planted almost half a million trees.

SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITY

Supporting long-term societal prosperity is central to Banyan Tree's ability to create value for local communities and this is achieved by empowering them through job creation, education, supporting artisanal cooperatives, community impact initiatives, humanitarian relief and connecting travellers to local culture and heritage.

Banyan Tree Phuket with Laguna Phuket has supported sea turtle conservation programmes in Phuket since 1994. Our efforts focus on raising funds and awareness in support of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and the Royal Thai Navy. To date, 2105 sea turtles have been released and 7 million baht raised.

COMMUNITY CLEANING

Banyan Tree aim to organise a minimum of four cleaning activities each year, to engage members of the local community, their guests and their associates with the need for effective waste management and to promote responsible consumption of resources and maintaining a healthy environment.

MONTHLY ALMS GIVING

On the 2nd Tuesday of every Month, experience the meaningful ritual of alms giving and receive the blessings of the local monks.

STAY FOR GOOD: HAPPY FRIDAY

Banyan Tree's weekly activity that promotes good citizenship and volunteerism among our guests and associates. One of these activities is the Fully Booked! Mobile Learning Centre (MLC), where volunteers can read to children to encourage the learning of English.