Taking a step beyond luxurious stays and localised experiences, Marriott International has launched “Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy”, a new program that encourages meaningful travel across Asia Pacific. If your goals include connecting with the locals and leaving a positive impact on the places you’ve visited, this will be right up your alley.
Themed across three pillars—environmental protection, community engagement, and marine conservation, the program features purpose-driven experiences in 15 Marriott International hotels across Asia Pacific. Guests can look forward to supporting the resilience of the natural environment, participating in cultural education or volunteerism, or helping to restore and preserve the marine ecosystems.
Bart Buiring, chief sales and marketing officer of Marriott International Asia Pacific, said: “One of the growing trends we’re observing is how conscious guests are of their personal impact on the destinations they visit. The launch of Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy aspires to shift the way vacations are perceived – from pure leisure to value-adding opportunities to learn more about the natural environment and forge new connections with the local community.”
At Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa in Fiji, guests can tour the local Denarau Farm to learn about the cultivation of organic fruits and vegetables which are used at the hotel. In addition, the farm serves as a training centre for local farmers to learn about organic farming. Meanwhile, Sheraton Tung Chung in Hong Kong has partnered with Mui Wo Lychee Hill Holiday Farm to let guests experience being a “beekeeper” and learn about the importance of bees to biodiversity.
Lovers of marine life can check out JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa’s turtle shelter, which is part of the National Reserve at Mai Khao Beach in collaboration with the dedicated Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation team. Here, they will learn about sea turtles, environmental issues that impact their survival, and how to take care of them.
In Indonesia, W Bali, Seminyak is working with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) on a regular food donation initiative that delivers surplus food to local organizations such as orphanages, foundations, churches and other community enterprises in need. Guests can contribute by helping hotel staff to prepare nutritious meals from leftover food and unused ingredients that is then delivered to those in need across Bali.
More information here.
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