Banyan Tree rolls out new Guest Voluntourism Initiatives

Over the past 20 years, Banyan Tree guests supported good causes by staying at the Group's hotels and resorts. The Stay for Good program reinforces Banyan Tree's commitment to supporting its environment and communities by highlighting specific sustainability-oriented guest experiences and activities.

New this year, Banyan Tree has added a series of voluntourism activities which will take place across Banyan Tree and Angsana hotels and resorts, offering guests a unique opportunity to participate in empowering and enhancing the environment and lives in the destinations in which the Group operates.

“We have always believed that tourism should stimulate positive, holistic development in our host destinations. Our long term vision of doing good and doing well is key to our business,” says Abid Butt, CEO, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. “Our Stay for Good programme offers a choice of activities for guests to take an active part in if they so choose, each offering a tangible benefit to engage with local cultures and ecosystems.”

The first guest interaction initiative to launch this year, ‘Greening Communities Together', has been designed to commemorate World Environment Day. From June 2 – 8, Banyan Tree and Angsana hotels will commit to plant two trees per room night to support and highlight environment conservation and habitat protection. Guests will be invited to be part of the Greening Communities Together activities during the week.

Later in the year, ‘Feeding Communities Together' will celebrate World Food Day. From October 13 – 19, Banyan Tree will aim to support and empower communities through food. Guests will be invited to support and serve host communities by preparing and serving meals for local community members.

“Stay for Good is all about immersing into the local culture, enriching your holiday and returning home with authentic, rewarding memories,” continues Abid Butt.

Throughout the year, sustainability projects will take place at specific resorts under the Stay for Good program. These include the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, school programs in Phuket and Bangkok, the on-property nature reserve in Ras Al Khaimah, learning about endangered Melipona bees in Mexico, Banyan Tree Bintan's Conservation Lab and releasing turtles into the wild at coastal resorts, in which all guests will be invited to engage.

Banyan Tree's Green Imperative Fund also forms part of the Stay for Good program, which crowd sources micro-contributions from guests during their stay, with every dollar matched by Banyan Tree. Since the fund's inception in 2001, the Green Imperative Fund has raised more than US$7 million, dispersing over US$4.1 million in support of worthy social and environmental efforts whereby the primary beneficiary is external to Banyan Tree.

Details on Stay for Good can be found at https://www.banyantree.com/en/stayforgood