How these luxury resorts in Southern Thailand are building sustainability into guest experiences

The gorgeous resort employs local materials and traditional building techniques that reflect Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. This thoughtful integration with nature minimises environmental impact while providing guests with breathtaking views and an intimate connection to the landscape. The resort also actively engages with the local community through collaborations with local artisans that enrich guests’ experiences. Educational initiatives such as bird watching and garden tours further help visitors appreciate local culture and environment.

As for eco-conscious operations, the resort has implemented energy-efficient systems and harnesses renewable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint. Water conservation is prioritised through innovative measures such as rainwater harvesting.

Redefining sustainable travel

In 2023, Marriott International launched a “sustainability toolkit” initiative. Running for a year, it encouraged hotels and resorts to focus on 12 points from eliminating single-use plastics to switching to cage-free eggs. “Little things like that [can build up to] quite a big list,” Govil says. He explains how hotels have begun introducing sustainable practices “which guests can see” from making uniforms out of recycled plastic to composting.

When it comes to innovative sustainability practices, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa does it well. Redefining luxury travel, the resort takes large strides in employing comprehensive waste management strategies, recycling initiatives, sustainable material usage and more.

Today, the resort proudly repurposes 42 per cent of its food waste—what would have gone into the bins is now reused in one way or the other. For example, the Khao Lak resort repurposes leftover ingredients from vegetable scraps in stocks or sauces. Food waste is also monitored through systematic tracking and analysis, allowing the team to identify areas for improvement and implement effective strategies to further reduce waste over time.

The brand also features sustainable art by local artist Art of Trash, who collects trash from the resort’s beach and turns them into adorable art pieces. These decor pieces are featured prominently around the resort, and serve as a reminder for guests to be more mindful of the products they use and discard. 

The resort plays an active role in preserving native flora and fauna through the JW Garden. Govil explains how the garden was inspired by offering “experiences that will allow you to do good while travelling”. Located within the resort, the lavish garden spans 27-acres and is home to over 200 varieties of indigenous plants, fruits and herbs. Here, also find various animals from free-range chickens to buffalos. An on-site environmentalist, who goes by Joy, leads daily tours around the garden, educating guests on its sustainable farming practices and the importance of conservation.

Govil shares how a number of resorts have also introduced activities where “you can work or do something positive for the local community or environment and feel good about it.” For example, JW Marriott Khao Lak is also home to a bamboo shark nursery and conservation centre, educating guests on the species and where they can watch baby bamboo sharks being released back into the ocean.

In Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, guests are also encouraged to participate in conservation activities, providing them with unique opportunities to engage with nature. For one, guests can visit an elephant sanctuary, helping to feed and bathe the elderly elephants. Various educational programmes about the local ecosystem further foster a sense of stewardship, empowering them to make informed choices during their stay.

Balancing luxury and sustainability

Prioritising eco-friendliness doesn’t mean compromising on comfort and luxury. In Krabi, Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve offers an exclusive and serene escape while integrating a range of sustainability practices into its operations. Here, find luxurious villas and private pavilions that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Each guest is also paired with a dedicated butler—some of whom have been with the resort since the beginning.

Guests can indulge in dishes featuring organic and locally sourced ingredients that don’t compromise on flavour. Take the resort’s restaurant Lae Lay for example. Helmed by executive chef Christian Herrgesell, the contemporary dining destination offers plump and juicy lobsters obtained from a nearby lobster farm, accompanied by fresh vegetables from the resort’s farm.

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Understanding the ‘why’

In 2017, Marriott International launched Serve 360, the brand’s sustainability and social integration platform guiding the brand’s efforts in environmental stewardship, community engagement and ethical governance. The initiative was launched in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on four key areas: nurturing our world, sustaining responsible operations, empowering through opportunities, and welcoming all and advancing human rights.

Govil adds that sustainability starts within, by first educating the “workforce as to why we’re doing what we’re doing”. He continues: ”I think it’s important for people to understand the why so they will feel like they’re part of the movement instead of just [working towards] a goal.”

Sustainability initiatives are easily perceived as greenwashing. Govil explains how the luxury hotelier takes steps to ensure that this is not the case in its properties. “A big part of climate fluency is stressing that we should not be doing this for the wrong reasons,” he says, adding how it’s important to have the correct mindset through education training.

He believes that sustainable tourism is a journey. “Sometimes, a company tries to push too fast, too hard. And one of the things we’re doing is that we’re not rushing things,” he explains, adding that the brand is ensuring authenticity in everything they do.

The future of sustainable travel

When it comes to sustainable travel, Govil shares how everyone in the industry is “very focused on this”. He continues: “Broadly, the industry is making a lot of progress.” The three resorts exemplify how luxury can harmoniously coexist with sustainability.

What does the future of sustainable travel look like? Govil notes a change in the mindset of the luxury traveller. The narrative changed from merely doing less harm to doing something positive while travelling. By adapting to suit the needs of these travellers, he shares that the result has been “overwhelmingly positive”.

By embracing eco-friendly practices and engaging with local communities, Marriott International hotels and resorts not only enhance guest experiences but also contribute positively to the environment.

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