Message to Our
Stakeholders
As a trailblazer in sustainable tourism, Banyan Tree Group has long moved beyond the precautionary principle to a proactive approach embodied in our motto of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”.
As a trailblazer in sustainable tourism, Banyan Tree Group has long moved beyond the precautionary principle to a proactive approach embodied in our motto of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”. Stewardship, design and experience are our brand cornerstones. Everything we develop, we do so purposefully and for the greater good. This is true of the environmentally sensitive architecture of our resorts, as well as the role we play in building sustainable communities and business ecosystems that enable people to live, work and thrive. We see our properties not only as brick and mortar hotels but living legacies, stewards of the lands and communities in which we operate.
Like us, many businesses, governments and the general public are realising that sustainability is an imperative. COP27 in November 2022 cemented global resolve to mitigate climate change, with countries agreeing to accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels. This aligns with Banyan Tree Group’s drive toward net zero.
But the world must move beyond strategising and discussion to concrete action. For our part, we have embarked on a new sustainability strategy with new KPIs that take into consideration the disclosure recommendations of the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). This sustainability report, the 17th we have produced, presents our new strategic approach, targets and baselines as we work towards a more sustainable way of doing business by 2030.
We still have a lot to do, and the learning process is never complete. We must keep building on our efforts, identifying new tools and findings, and ensuring that we are transparent and accountable, and compliant with all relevant requirements.
After years of adopting this mindset, systematic, strategic engagement with sustainability issues permeates our organisation, from the Board through to individual associates. We are also making every effort to involve our entire spectrum of stakeholders to address the challenges we face collectively. Your participation makes a difference.
Ho KwonPing
Founder and Executive Chairman
Banyan Tree Holdings Limited
At Banyan Tree Group we remain concerned with the enduring health and wellbeing of our associates, guests, communities and the planet as a whole.
At Banyan Tree Group we remain concerned with the enduring health and wellbeing of our associates, guests, communities and the planet as a whole. Given how everything on this planet is interconnected and interdependent, care for the environment and people must be the first principle for any development. Only from there can we proceed to explore and build long-term sustainable solutions.
The aim of this report is to distil what we as a Group stand for, what we have done and intend to do, and how we measure our progress as we do our part for a sustainable planet. For readers who prefer a deeper dive, a greater level of detail can be found online.
We remain purposeful and passionate about doing good. This is evident in every initiative we undertake, whether it is resort-based conservation or setting up specialist conservation labs. Despite continuing lockdowns in some locations during the year, we carried out 725 environmental and social initiatives involving a wide range of stakeholders.
We have invested considerable effort in collecting and collating the necessary data to measure progress, but it is always worth remembering the stories behind the statistics. Traditional crafts are revitalised, livelihoods are being restored after natural disasters, communities are greener from tree planting, and young people are being educated. For instance, our Laguna Phuket Kindergarten has been serving the community for 30 years. In 2022, we unveiled an extension programme for early learners from around the world, aptly named SILK (Step-up International Laguna Kindergarten). Silk is a soft yet strong fibre, loved and valued all over the world. The Silk Route connects East and West, providing cross-cultural understanding. In the same vein, we hope our young students will grow up respecting diversity and understanding world cultures. Being both cosmopolitan and connected to the community, SILK will also contribute to strengthening the social fabric of Phuket.
These are just a few examples of lives and locations being changed for the better, and by playing a part we too are changed for the better. It has been gratifying to see what we have achieved in the past year. May we continue to be productive and profitable in all the ways that matter.
Claire Chiang
Chairperson
Banyan Tree Global Foundation
