Banyan Group establishes its Rewilding Banyan Fund

To commemorate its 30th anniversary, sustainable hospitality pioneer Banyan Group announced the establishment of its Rewilding Banyan Fund. 

As of 1st November, USD $1 from every direct booking of Banyan Group’s hotels and resorts will be pledged to the new fund, supporting long-term rewilding efforts to restore natural habitats in destinations where the Group operates.  

Building upon the success of the rewilding initiative piloted at Laguna Phuket in 2023, where 7,500 saplings from 84 native species were planted to create high-density, self-sustaining bio-diverse pocket forests, the new fund will drive the expansion of the Group’s rewilding efforts to at least 10 more destinations.

Banyan Group will continue working with rewilding specialists, SUGI, as a partner for various pocket forest projects in the pipeline.

Part of the brand’s history

According to Banyan Group deputy CEO Ho Ren Yung, rewilding is deeply rooted in the hospitality group’s history. 

Ho said: “The land of our flagship Banyan Tree resort in Phuket was rehabilitated from a barren tin mine into a lush sanctuary through an extensive clean up and tree planting efforts, laying the foundation for our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

That said, the Rewilding Banyan Fund now gives Banyan Group the opportunity to do the same with even more communities around the world, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the beauty and wonder of our natural world for a long time to come.

SUGI founder and chief executive Elise Van Middelem added: “Banyan Group’s commitment to responsible stewardship is closely aligned with SUGI’s goal to build biodiversity, climate resilience and wellbeing in communities. Following the successful pilot at Laguna Phuket, we are hopeful that our collaborative effort will drive lasting, positive impact on the environment and communities around the world, one pocket forest at a time.”

The Rewilding Banyan Fund joins Banyan Group’s collection of sustainability initiatives, among them, the Green Imperative Fund, which was established in 2001 to support environmental and community projects across the Group’s global portfolio. Together, both funds will support Banyan Group’s founding ethos and commitment of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People.

(Images all courtesy of SUGI)