Globally, Marriott Hotels & Resorts has been recognized for its commitments to reduce energy and water consumption, empowering its partners to build green properties, and educating its guests to become energy-efficient during their stays. In Asia, the hospitality industry started adopting green practices more proactively since the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Hotels Environmental Initiative in 1994, with pioneers of “barefoot luxury” like Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, and Okura Hotels & Resorts. In Southeast Asia, this trend continues to be emphasized by the announcement of ASEAN Green Hotel Standards in 2016 to honor hotels which meet requirements of environmental friendliness and energy conservation. 

From chains going with the flow…

cross Asia, this trend is calling out many regional names led by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts which have established green initiatives as a main component of their strategies.

 

From its opening in 1995, Six Senses has aimed to create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment. For the governance and structure, it aligns corporate sustainability policies with the resort-level initiatives through a specialized unit led by the Vice President, Sustainability and implemented by Social and Environment Coordinators at both the head office and properties. This operator contributes 0.5% of its revenues to its Social and Environmental Responsibility Fund of which 60% is spent locally for sustainability projects. In a similar way, Six Senses minimizes ecological impacts by energy conservation, re-use and re-cycle programs, responsible purchasing policies, and locally produced organic F&B products; while promoting sustainable tourism practices through community-based tourism programs in conjunction with preservation of cultural heritages and biodiversity on land and in water. Regarding to green buildings, Six Senses uses materials from renewable sources, such as wood, adobe, mud and thatch; and refuses fishing and golf courses which are said to involve huge destruction and use pesticides and herbicides to maintain greens.

 

For Banyan Tree, it exercises the precautionary approach to environmental impacts of its operations, and takes an active role in the protection and remediation of global ecosystems. Accordingly, it has implemented environmental programs like gibbon rehabilitation and mangrove planting in Phuket, elephant protection and fundraising events in Bangkok, as well as supporting marine research and conservation. Its Guest Sustainability Activities program is also developed across the pipeline through creative ideas like solar cooking at gastronomic displays or environment cleaning in collaboration with local communities. Besides its Banyan Tree Global Foundation, this operator has also partnered with EarthCheck for independent external sustainability certification, launched frameworks for sustainable hospitality, and aligned efforts with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

… to independent hotels embracing green

uch initiatives are reflected across the wider hospitality industry with many independent properties also integrating green practices into their core strategies. Therein, Song Saa Private Islands, a carefree sanctuary for the high-heeled guests in Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia, sets the bar for eco-luxury resorts across Southeast Asia. Created with sustainability in mind, this paradise hideaway was built with reclaimed timber, up-cycled décor, and repurposed furniture from the mainland by local hands; while deeply committed to sustainable development with projects dedicated to protecting coral reefs, ocean habitats, and rainforests. For another example, Damai Lovina Villas in Bali, Indonesia, has effectively decreased waste and energy usage and practiced sustainable farming. This resort partners with a local research center for environmentally safe agricultural and household products; at the same time using permaculture to reduce water consumption and increase crop heath, and composting in lieu of using chemical fertilizers. The resort’s cycling efforts have also eliminated the need to send solid waste to a landfill seven hours away. Likewise, El Nido Resorts in the province of Palawan, Philippines has actively protected Palawan’s giant-clam gardens and supported the reintroduction of endangered cockatoos, in parallel with its sustainable operations and environmental education.

Thatched overwater villas at El Nido Resorts

or over a decade, eco-hotel has swept across the global hospitality industry and pushed green practices implemented diversely in different geographies. In the context of rising environmental problems worldwide and the urbanization boom in developing countries, especially in Asia, asking for sustainable tourism, hotel companies will continue to be prompted by government policies, consumer requirements and the competitive market to prioritize sustainability activities. These remarkable achievements and unique experience of sustainable hospitality recently will lay a solid foundation for more hotels to get on board the eco-development in the coming years, strongly engaging city properties which are currently in a weaker trend.