Stays for Good

There’s been plenty of talk about enhanced sustainability and responsibility in Asia’s post-pandemic travel industry. Indeed, many of the region’s most appealing resorts are getting on board with the trend through activities ranging from ethical elephant encounters to wildlife conservation and community-focused tourism. Here’s a closer look at some of our favorite forward-thinkers.

American hotel designer Bill Bensley took his flamboyant aesthetic and passion for conservation into the heart of one of Cambodia’s most remote jungle areas at Shinta Mani Wild. Situated in the Cardamom National Park in southern Cambodia, the all-inclusive luxury tented camp combines adventure with sustainability and community-focused initiatives. Bensley bought the land back in 2010 with the aim of putting it to altruistic use. And his high-yield, low-impact camp is getting plenty of traction with tourists. Luxury adventures include the option to join armed Wildlife Alliance rangers on their daily anti-poaching patrols throughout the National Park, or hopping aboard an expedition boat – also designed by Bensley, naturally – to discover the waterways, flora, and fauna of this unique ecosystem. You can even help the chef forage for edible plants that are then incorporated into the resort’s culinary creations.

In Thailand, the elephant, or chang, is the national animal, celebrated in everything from artworks in royal palaces and temples to the name of one of the country’s favorite beer brands. But as human populations grow and forests are destroyed for cash crops, elephant habitats shrink. Instead of roaming happily, the animals are pitted against farmers, deployed as beasts of burden, or forced into often squalid elephant camps for the benefit of gawping tourists. Thankfully, there has been a growing realization of the work that needs to be done to protect the country’s elephants with a host of progressive camps leading the way in conservation efforts. At Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle elephants are central to the appeal, with guests offered unique opportunities to get up close with the beasts. The camp’s tents, meanwhile, are situated high in the treetops and boast open-plan spaces and large outdoor decks with hot tubs.

Sumba stands out as one-of-a-kind in Indonesia with its unique topography and traditions. And what sets NIHI Sumba apart is its strong focus on sustainability and dedication to giving back to the local Sumbanese community, while respecting and helping to preserve island traditions. Just as the island’s remote location is beautiful, it is also isolating for the island’s people, leading to a lack of meaningful employment opportunities. Since its opening, this small, exclusive hideaway has single-handedly kickstarted the island’s economy and aimed to improve the quality of life for those living on the island. Around 90 percent of the staff on-property are Sumbanese, and many more islanders have been employed through the food supply and materials needed to maintain the resort’s upkeep and operations.

When it comes to sustainability, select resorts around Asia are walking the walk while talking the talk. One of these is The Datai on Langkawi in Malaysia, which has been putting a strong emphasis on sustainability since well before the global health crisis. Its Datai Pledge is dedicated to improving the well-being of the environment, wildlife, and local community of Langkawi. Initiated in 2019 to create a robust conservation and sustainability program for The Datai Langkawi, it comprises four pillars: Pure For The Future; Fish For The Future; Wildlife For The Future; and Youth For The Future, which respectively focuses on business operations and ethics; the marine life; the fauna and flora’ and the children of the community. 

Soori Bali is pushing a series of meaningful initiatives that bolster its reputation as one of Bali’s most sustainably-minded properties. One of them is a “plastic for Soori rice” program. Revenue generated by their venture Tenda — an ecologically empathetic cabin created to inspire and empower travelers in the exploration of different ways of living — goes into purchasing rice from local farmers. Soori Bali puts this rice to excellent use by utilizing it for a trash-tidying program. Serving a dual purpose of combatting beach rubbish as well as nourishing the local community, Soori Bali gives away a kilogram of rice as barter for every kilogram of plastic trash collected.