6 Stunning Sustainable Travel Champions to Explore on Your Next Vacation BY Travel Links
As our planet grapples with the challenges of global warming and climate change, sustainable living
and eco-friendly practices have become increasingly crucial. Here are 6 destinations that seamlessly
blend sustainability with tourism and hospitality.
Thailand
The Land of Smiles and Hospitality is home to countless alluring experiences and attractions that
make it an ideal destination for vacations, weddings, honeymoons, and bleisure trips. To blend
tourism and sustainability, the country has implemented numerous initiatives including ocean
conservation, wildlife rehabilitation and ecological restoration efforts. In the hospitality space, Krabi’s
ultra-luxury beachside resort – Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve stands as an epitome of
sustainability. The property utilises reusable bamboo straws and glass bottles instead of plastic
tableware. Its in-room amenities are packaged with sustainable materials, such as beeswax. Striving
for authenticity, it sources its drinking water from a natural spring in the Naga Mountains and
incorporates local produce and ingredients from the Chef’s Garden in its culinary creations. The
festive decorations in the resort are also exclusively made of natural and reusable materials, such as
coconut shells, driftwood, leaves, and recycled glass bottles. Moreover, Phulay Bay encourages its
patrons to contribute towards elephant conservation under the Help the Herd program at the Krabi
Elephant House Sanctuary.
Seychelles
The tropical paradise of Seychelles is known for its crystal-clear waters thriving with marine life and
unique flora and fauna. To preserve the sanctity of its ecosystem, the country has taken monumental
steps such as preserving its flagship tree Coco de Mer, which is known to yield the biggest fruit in the
world. They have also made significant efforts to save Dudongs, a rare and vulnerable marine life
found at Aldabra Atoll, from extinction. The archipelago has also implemented the BIOPAMA-funded
project to set up biosecurity measures preventing invasive alien species from overriding the endemic
flora and fauna on Aldabra. Pre-pandemic, the archipelago collaborated with the University of Oxford
for the Aldabra Clean-Up Project to remove human-made waste, like plastic litter from the sea that
harmed aquatic creatures and the ecosystem. Through these nuanced efforts, Seychelles strives to
be an eco-conscious destination that prioritises sustainability and promotes positive tourism
experiences.
Oman
Defined by age-old culture and innovation, Oman strives to achieve a net-zero future and preserve its
ecosystem by encouraging sustainable practices. In Oman’s Capital, Muscat, the grand five-star
resort, Shangri-La Al Barr Jissah, has taken steps to realise this vision. As one of five turtle nesting
sites in the country, its beaches welcome hundreds of turtles every year, serving as a safe sanctuary
for these creatures to proliferate. Guests are invited to witness hatchings and watch daily Turtle Talks
at the hotel’s Eco Centre to initiate the young generation into learning about biodiversity. Protecting
the natural habits of critically endangered sea creatures is a priority for the team at the resort and so
their Turtle Care Project aims to protect the rare hawksbill and green turtle species through
supervision and protection. The resort is actively working towards eliminating the use of single-use
plastic and has adopted ways like using refilled bottles, drinking water fountains across the property,
and replacing plastic straws with metallic ones.
Vietnam
In recent years, Vietnam has taken many steps to balance the surge in tourism with the need to
conserve its natural and cultural resources, including eco-friendly accommodations, energy-efficient
transportation, and effective waste management systems. The Anam Mui Ne, a luxury resort located
on the pristine Ham Tien beach in Phan Thiet perfectly embodies Vietnam’s hospitality and
sustainability efforts. An easy commute from Ho Chi Minh City, the five-star resort with 1.2 hectares of
spectacular oceanfront has banned single-use plastics and taken several measures to reduce its
carbon footprint. It uses solar power and utilises locally sourced and in-house ingredients to render
scrumptious cuisines. The Anam Mui Ne also repurposes laundry water to nurture its gardens and
offers biodegradable straws, bags, and bathroom amenities. Even the resort’s key cards are made of
wood sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Kenya
Home to stunning landscapes and untamed wildlife, Kenya is one of the best destinations for nature
lovers and adventurers. It is home to scores of wildlife sanctuaries like the Amboseli National Park
which is known for accommodating thousands of African animals, birds and reptile species, in addition
to the Maasai tribe. The best way to immerse into Amboseli is to book a stay at Ol Tukai Lodge, an
elegant eco-rated lodge that offers stunning views of glacier-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and the
wetlands of the park outside. Being at the heart of nature, the lodge demonstrates its dedication to
promoting vegetation and animals by undertaking activities like reforestation. Planting trees in areas
that have been deforested contributes to combating climate change to fostering biodiversity. As a
result of this Ol Tukai Lodge started a tree planting project with various stakeholders. To celebrate
National Tree Planting Day last year, Ol Tukai Lodge collaborated with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
to plant over 1,300 trees around the park. This was in line with Kenyan President Ruto's ambitious
goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2030.
Sri Lanka
Basking in the diversity of Sri Lanka’s natural attractions, Teardrop Hotels promotes sustainability and
community wholeheartedly. Based across seven distinct locations across the country, each property
embodies a unique part of Sri Lanka from the serenity of the southwest coast to the frondescence of
the south-central region. These hotels are built into heritage buildings and vintage tea bungalows
carefully chosen for their character and diligently restored to preserve their original features. Teardrop
Hotels also believes in giving back to the local community while also aiming for zero food miles. For
this reason, they use vegetables and ingredients cultivated in-house and buy seafood from local
fishermen to incorporate in their delicious cuisines. All packaging in the hotel is plastic-free, and
refillable water bottles are used to minimise waste.
