R+ founder Andy Goh is the new face of responsible travel in Asia

R+ also actively engages local communities to supply furnishing for its resorts. “For the structures, such as the ceiling and floor panels, we try to get the locals to fabricate them. The idea here is not to manufacture and buy everything from Europe or China and simply install them,” Goh explains. The majority of materials, including wood and aluminium, as well as the windows and doors, he shares, are locally sourced and installed. That said, he confesses that “30 per cent of our materials, [such as those used for] our connectors and cubes, are imported, as these would take longer for the locals to fabricate”.

Goh readily admits, too, that R+ is not seeking to be at the forefront of high‐tech solutions, but rather utilises readily available technology. Its resorts and farms incorporate a variety of renewable energy initiatives, such as rainwater harvesting for irrigation purposes and the use of solar panels to generate electricity. Citing a concrete example, he mentions the upgraded irrigation for mango plants on one of the farms, which involved moving away from a reliance on PVC pipes inserted into mountains and instead tapping into an aquifer through a tube well. This system, powered by a solar pump connected to solar panels, enables efficient water distribution across the farm, exemplifying the type of technological solutions R+ employs. “We go for simple, effective stuff. It’s not rocket science, and it’s easy enough for the farmers and my local managers to understand what’s going on,” Goh says.

The principles of simplicity and sustainability are actively embodied in each of the brand’s projects. A prime example is the R+ cabins, also known as Plot 91, in Phnom Thom in Kampot, Cambodia. Slated to launch this June, the property, transformed from an existing mango farm, comprises 80 per cent natural surroundings and 20 per cent built environment, reversing the typical development ratio.

Goh shares that initially, the approach taken on this project mirrored traditional development: land acquisition followed by construction, with an attempt
to reintegrate natural elements afterwards. However, upon recognising the importance of community integration, a new strategy was adopted to benefit local residents directly. For example, local community members with skills that extend beyond farming to include bricklaying were integral to building the cabins. “Before buying the land, we [also] ask the farmer where he sees his role next. We ask if he wants to take a salary, and continue with us as a farming partner,” says Goh. This promotes a more inclusive development ethos, where community collaboration is central.

Goh champions slow living and moving away from modern hospitality’s rapid conveniences. “We’re not the type of hospitality company that uses information from your profile to [predict and automate your preferences]. We’d rather ask you about them directly,” he says, stressing, too, that R+ attempts to “[convey] things as they are”, so as to create as genuine an experience for the visitor as possible. “More brands are trying to [cultivate] small, slow living spaces, [so people can] take time out to enjoy a place more authentically.”

R+ locations, Goh shares, are chosen for their “rich local narratives [that] visitors [can] immerse themselves in”. The aforementioned R+ cabins, for instance, are located in a premium plantation area that is home to lucrative crops such as Kampot pepper and durian. “The idea is for [visitors] to see the local production processes first‐hand, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the area,” he says. R+ Cafe Grains in Kampot similarly provides a unique blend of luxury and culture. The restaurant offers a gourmet dining experience for only 30 guests at a time, who will ride to it in a vintage 1975 Jeep and can tour its padi farm to observe the processing of padi into grain. Adding to its exclusivity is its transient nature: it changes its address after every year, preserving the novelty of the dining experience.

R+ also enables visitors to invest in the land, going beyond traditional real estate to deepen ties with the location. Visitors drawn to the Phnom Thom area, for example, can purchase land, reflecting the brand’s commitment not to profit but to foster a lasting connection with the land’s future. “Whether you’re interested in purchasing a unit, a plot of land or a single tree, we offer it all. Our motivation isn’t financial gain; rather, it’s about acknowledging your commitment. We aim to support that commitment by sharing our property with you,” says Goh.

He recognises that the primary challenge for R+ is more than just in terms of operations, but also in effectively communicating its unique approach, especially given its resorts’ remote locations. “We do everything we can to share the local narrative. It all begins with experiences, which is why we also operate a tour company, offering motorbike tours in countries such as Cambodia,” he says, in the hopes of inspiring visitors to consider longer stays. This connection initiates a journey into the R+ ecosystem, blending travel with deep cultural immersion. “[Spreading our message] is a very slow process,” he adds. “There’s no way to market the R+ ecosystem on Instagram. We’re trying to market it to different interest groups, whether it’s those who are interested in plants and farming, or travel.”

This year, R+ plans to expand with new sites: R+ Nantian in Taiwan and a project in Davao, Philippines, in addition to the R+ cabins in Phnom Thom. Goh is also eyeing a unique R+ location in Singapore, pending negotiations with the Singapore Land Authority. While details of the last remain under wraps, he teases: “All I can say is that if we secure this project, you’ll be floating on water.”

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