21 Jul 2023
Since its establishment, which commenced with a seven-year rehabilitation journey from a tin mine to the integrated resort destination it is today, Laguna Phuket has remained committed to safeguarding its natural environment. Building upon this dedication, Laguna Phuket has now partnered with rewilding specialists from SUGi to reintroduce native wild species into the surrounding landscape. This visionary initiative begins with the creation of several planned 'pocket forests' within the destination, recognized as Asia's premier integrated resort, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea.Under SUGi guidance, the Laguna Phuket team adopted a multi-faceted and multi-phase approach to rebuilding the symbiotic web of Phuket's rainforest. Following the Miyawaki method of afforestation that mimics the way a forest would recolonise itself if humans stepped away, the team selected several secluded areas within Laguna Phuket with a goal of turning it into self-sustaining 'pocket forests' in a year's time.
To that end, the team selected 84 species of native trees based on a survey of the last remaining virgin rainforest Khao Phra Thaew, focusing on those that would occur naturally in that particular area without humans, to build a site that is more responsive to climate change. During the recently completed first phase, a total of 7,500 saplings across Open Kitchen and Veya Grove were planted with the help of children from the neighbourhood and Laguna Phuket Kindergarten who had the chance to learn about local ecosystems as part of Laguna Phuket's commitment to inspire the next generation to become stewards of the planet.
Quick to establish and maintenance-free after the first two-to-three years, Miyawaki forests grow ten times faster and are thirty times as dense as alternative reforestation solutions, providing a greater amount of forage for pollinators, refuge for birds, and a cool home for insects.
“This rewilding project with SUGi is about creating spaces where people fall in love with nature in a different way. It is the beginning of our next chapter of bringing communities and rewilding all our properties around the world. We decided to start here, where everything began in 1994 with the first Banyan Tree. This place was a tin mine and we transformed it into what you see today. Now we are going through the next transformation, where we are bringing back an ecosystem of native flora and fauna,” said Ho Ren Yung, Head of Brand HQ at Banyan Tree Group. “Sometimes starting from the beginning can help shape where you want to go in the future,” added Ho Ren Yung.
“Every resort we have is about experiencing nature in a way that really connects you to your soul. Bringing nature in and
inviting people to create their own sanctuary in connection with nature.”
As part of its commitment to develop sustainable communities, Laguna Phuket has been focused on creating public green spaces, including parks, meditation paths, mazes and the newly rebranded SEED organic farm. With over 120 bird species observed in the destination, Laguna Phuket is not only home to a diverse avian population but also dedicated to fostering their habitat and preserving their natural surroundings. Given space and time to thrive, the Open Kitchen and Veya Grove plots at Laguna Phuket will become biodiversity hotspots as well as serving as a blueprint for the Banyan Tree Group's future reforestation initiatives in partnership with SUGi. By implementing a dynamic, innovative approach that benefits both the local community and visitors, the two parties hope that the resulting tranquil sanctuary will help promote interaction between people and nature.
“Projects such as the collaboration with Laguna Phuket allow rewilding to be an interactive sensory experience - bringing a glimpse of nature back into people's lives. We are all instinctively drawn to seek out nature and travel is becoming more and more about people looking for the beauty, peace and healing qualities nature provides as an antidote to the stresses
of modern life,” said James Godfrey-Faussett, the Lead Forest Maker of SUGi. “Projects such as this initial one in Laguna also bring the ecological ancestry of the area alive again - a glimpse of the lush forest that once covered much of this beautiful island.”
Joining the ranks of Laguna Phuket's existing sustainability initiatives, the new partnership with SUGi offers a viable means to regenerate an indigenous ecosystem, benefiting human and planetary health. This win-win solution for both people and nature brings the Banyan Tree Group one step closer to achieving sustainable development goals, while promoting the restoration of the ecosystem with increased biodiversity.
– END –
ABOUT LAGUNA PHUKET
Laguna Phuket is Asia's premier integrated destination. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea, on a 3km stretch of pristine beach, Laguna Phuket is home to seven world-class hotels, premium facilities and a branded residences and property division. Spanning over 1,000 acres of lush parkland and beachfront and located just a 25-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, Laguna Phuket offers an award-winning
18-hole golf course, luxury spas, exceptional dining options, and countless activities to create unforgettable experiences.
With more than 1,400 rooms, the destination offers accommodations that suit all, from families with young children to intimate, luxurious stays. Hotel guests staying within Laguna Phuket are welcome to visit and enjoy facilities at all the resorts and use the destination's complimentary shuttle bus and boat services. On top of the 7 Hotels, Laguna Phuket has a Branded Property division that offers sales and rentals of a variety of residences, apartments and villas for guests who wishes to live or invest in a holiday home within our integrated destination.
ABOUT BANYAN TREE GROUP
Banyan Tree Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group”) is one of the world's leading independent, multi-brand hospitality groups centred on stewardship and wellbeing while offering exceptional, design-led experiences for the global travellers of today and tomorrow. The Group's diversified portfolio of hotels, resorts, spas, galleries, golf and residences is centred around an ecosystem of 10 global brands, including the award-winning Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa and Laguna, as well as the highly anticipated new brands of Homm, Garrya, Folio and two new Banyan Tree brand extensions, Banyan Tree Escape and Banyan Tree Veya.
Founded in 1994 on the core concept of sustainability, Banyan Tree Group seeks to create long-term value for all stakeholders and destinations across its
network of properties, products and brands, through a purpose-driven mission. With 8,000 associates across 23 countries, Banyan Tree Management Academy (BTMA) was established in 2008 to support the Group's goals through advancing people development, management excellence, and learning with integrity and meaning.
Banyan Tree Group has received 2,921 industry awards and accolades since inception over 25 years ago, most recently being named among the Top 25
Hotel Brands in the World by Travel + Leisure. It has also received recognition for its commitment to environmental protection and community development
through its Banyan Tree Global Foundation (BTGF), which aligns the Group's efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
ABOUT SUGi
SUGi is a global platform fully dedicated to biodiversity building, ecosystem restoration and reconnecting people to Nature, through the creation of ultra- dense, biodiverse forests of native species in urban areas. We are among the few rewilding organizations to offer a simple and authentic way of making visible change with radical transparency to anyone, anywhere as an antidote to current climate issues and biodiversity loss. With so far over 150 pocket forests planted in 28 cities, we have reconnected over 40,000 youth & community members to Nature.
The social impact of creating forests in cities is considerable, as are the environmental benefits, yet there is much more that can and must be done to grow this effort exponentially. SUGi has evolved from a grassroots movement to become a leading voice on the global stage, from the World EconomicForum,
1t.org and UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration to numerous highly visible public projects and iconic brand collaborations. We are poised to scale the creation of our forests to achieve even greater environmental, social and economic impact.
MEDIA CONTACT Giulia Bossi
Director of Marketing – Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Group
