Our Approach

Design with Nature, for Nature

As we help our guests discover destinations off the beaten path, we are mindful of the effects our operations have on the surroundings. Our attempts to mitigate this begin with ecologically sensitive design.

But we recognise that design is merely a starting point. From low-impact construction to efficient operations and responsible sourcing, we strive to be more ambitious in reducing our environmental footprint.

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Inspired by nature

Madi Hiyaa at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is an example of a design that is inspired by, and relates back to, the natural environment. We believe that spaces like this helps to cultivate an appreciation for the surrounding nature and contribute to the feeling of being immersed in and connected to nature.

Evoking the silhouettes of pink whiprays that glide through the adjacent lagoon, the architecture here led the Prix Versailles to recognise Madi Hiyaa as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants for 2024.

Announced annually by UNESCO, the Prix Versailles recognises innovative architecture that highlights local heritage, ecological efficiency, and social interaction, aligning closely with the United Nations’ principles of sustainable development.

Blending in seamlessly

The first Banyan Tree hotel in Japan sits in a location where Kyoto’s ancient cityscape meets tranquil forest. It was crucial for Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto not just to respect both these elements but to fully embrace them.

We posed this challenge to world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, trusting in his ability to design modern, well-functioning buildings that integrate harmoniously with their surroundings.

Through the reinterpretation of traditional design and an emphasis on natural materials, the resulting property pays homage to Japanese history whilst blurring the line between natural and manmade structures.

Melding nature and culture

Perched in the mountains of Northwest Vietnam, Garrya Mù Cang Chải overlooks the rice terraces carved out by the local Hmong people. Aside from enjoying the mountain air and scenery, our guests come here to learn about the daily life and culture of the surrounding community.

In designing the hotel interiors, we chose to combine bamboo—a cultural symbol of the Vietnamese people—with brocade motifs typical of traditional Hmong textile art, intended to spark curiosity and encourage guests to participate in the cultural and sustainability activities that the resort organises. By commissioning local artisans to create the textiles, we also generated income for the community and showed our appreciation for their cherished traditions.

Create Destination Stewards

We aspire to model responsible tourism, where both people and nature can thrive. Beyond our own operations, we support our associates and partners in their efforts to embed sustainability at every decision point, and make it simple for our guests to discover destinations in a more conscious way.

Every action has an impact, which makes stewardship our shared responsibility. This is why we invite everyone—our partners, associates and guests—to embrace their role as destination stewards.

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Brand for Good

By seeking to embed sustainability into our operating framework, we ensure that everyone across Banyan Group is of the same mind when it comes to responsible tourism—we implement a total of 40 standards of various themes to help us achieve our mission to be a Brand for Good.

Stay for Good

Our Stay for Good programme invites guests to experience the world authentically by highlighting the intricacies of each destination, while honouring the heritage and traditions of local communities.

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Gift for Good

To help our guests shop sustainable on their travels, Banyan Gallery curates a collection of hand-crafted products made by artisan communities that capture the spirit of each destination.

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Uplift the True Hosts, Our Community

When our guests visit a destination, the local community are the true hosts. By graciously sharing their space, offering unique cultural insights and allowing glimpses into their daily lives, they make the guest experience richer. As an expression of gratitude and care for our associates and their people from the local communities, we invest in programmes that improve lives through education, engagement, and employment.

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Engaging Local Communities

At Banyan Group, we host a variety of events, volunteering opportunities, and conservation activities that invite our associates and guests to connect with and contribute to the local community in impactful ways.

In 2024, Banyan Tree Phuket and Homm Suites Laguna, hosted a lively workshop for over 50 hotel guests and associates. Led by elderly local women, participants learned to craft traditional Thai desserts such as thong muan (herbal crispy rolls) and a-pong (Thai crepes).

In addition to offering these seniors a platform to demonstrate their skills, the workshop provided them with purposeful employment and affirmed their value within the community.

Empowering Artisan Communities

Banyan Gallery’s support of local artisans has increased employment opportunities while contributing to cultural preservation. In 2024, Banyan Gallery comissioned 398,570 products from local artisans, supporting 306 artisan communties.

Nuturing Youths

Education projects such as our signature Seedlings programme nurture young people, including at-risk individuals, providing them with essential vocational and life skills. Many Seedlings graduates go on to work for Banyan Group, but the programme creates far-reaching benefits beyond our business.

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