Earth Day 2009

2009
In 2009, Banyan Tree Group returned with the anticipated Better World packages as part of its celebrations and outreach to guests. First introduced in 2008, Better World packages combine a holiday with an environmental/community support awareness activity.

In Thailand, guests could choose Banyan Tree Phuket for a trekking adventure tour that brought them on a tuk-tuk ride to one of Phuket’s hidden secrets, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary. Meanwhile, the green oasis in the Thai capital, Banyan Tree Bangkok offered tree planting activities and an educational visit to one of its many partners in Thailand, including the Women’s Foundation, Thai Red Cross, United Nations, Think Earth Foundation, or Kasetsart University.

On the Indonesian island of Bintan, Banyan Tree Bintan and Angsana Bintan offered an insightful nature walk amongst 100-year-old trees and other fascinating flora and fauna; while marine enthusiasts opted for a snorkelling safari.

Two-night Better World packages in the Maldives tempted guests to dive in with the marine world. At Banyan Tree Madivaru, the first to offer Tented Pool Villas in the Maldives, participants conducted reef surveys, guided snorkelling trips, as well as a dolphin cruise. Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, which celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab in 2009, offered a special ecology session with its marine biologist. Angsana Velavaru, located in the South Nilandhe Atoll, and Angsana Ihuru in the North Male Atoll, offered a marine biology and ecology session, coral planting and guided snorkelling trip to house reefs, led by the respective Marine Lab’s resident Marine Biologist.

A highlight of any visit to the idyllic nation of Seychelles includes a visit to the wetlands, which was on the activity list at Banyan Tree Seychelles. An alternative tour to the Botanical Gardens to see local flora and fauna allowed glimpses of the famed Giant Tortoises, each one weighing up to 100kg.

With three locations in China, guests were spoiled for choice when choosing Banyan Tree as their retreat. When in Banyan Tree Ringha, a Shangri-la Cultural Trek is the best way of experiencing the pastoral lifestyle. This was complemented by a tree planting session amongst the high mountains in the pristine destination. Banyan Tree Lijiang offered a unique way of traversing the historical old town of Lijiang – via the Shuhe Old Town horse-carriage tour. Meanwhile, on the tropical island of Hainan, guests chose between diving amidst the vibrant reefs and taking a stroll amongst mangrove trees to see aigrettes at Banyan Tree Sanya.

Angsana Riads Collection Morocco incorporated fascinating cultural insights with a trip to a handicraft shop to customise a souvenir of a unique traditional Moroccan product, completed by a cultural tour of the fascinating “Red City” that is Marrakech.

In Australia, Angsana Great Barrier Reef offered guests a rare opportunity of planting a tree in the famous UNESCO World Heritage Daintree Rainforest. The Daintree Rainforest, spanning approximately 1200 square kilometres, is home to the highest number of plant and animal species that are rare, or threatened with extinction, anywhere in the world.

Managed under the Angsana brand, Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel, a charming boutique accommodation located in the heart of Luang Prabang, Laos, lived up to its cultural location by offering a specially organised vegetarian dinner, along with a half-day World Cultural Heritage tour to see the best of the tiny, picturesque city.