Leadership Statements
As a publicly traded company, our Board of Directors and Management team are both committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance based on the recommendations of the Code of Corporate Governance.
Sustainability leadership within Banyan Tree is supported by a group CSR committee implemented since 2004. Each property has a designated CSR representative and CSR committee that meets regularly. Compliance to Banyan Tree’s sustainability standards is assessed annually with an online CSR audit.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requires good leadership, we must be proactive, accept and adapt to inevitable global societal and environmental change. This requires prediction through complexity with a pragmatic, holistic and results oriented approach, supported by good leadership and governance that connects on a personal level.
We strive to create an ethical culture to do the right thing, to motivate and inspire, and protect the long term by making tough decisions in the short term.
Banyan Tree Global Foundation Chairperson’s Message
In a rapidly changing world, collective action is required to address daunting global challenges. 2017 was designated the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development. We took this opportunity to review our sustainability approach and identify contemporary salient issues.
We accept our responsibility to take global action and the challenge to conserve and safe guard cultural and natural heritage, promote responsible behaviour, develop stewardship and strengthen resilience in the face of unprecedented global change.
Sustainability to us remains more than an aspiration, more than operational targets, marketing or philanthropy. It is a mindset rather than a choice; it is the right thing to do. It is something that we can achieve through a proactive, progressive and innovative approach, and we thank our stakeholders, internal and external, for their continued collective effort.
Yours Sincerely,
Ms Claire Chiang
Chairperson, Banyan Tree Global Foundation
Executive Chairman’s Message
The private sector has a key role to play if we’re to transform our world. Sustainable tourism can be a positive instrument, and it has been our core value since Banyan Tree’s inception. Tourism remains one of the fastest growing global industries, and this should be matched by our responsibility to people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
This year we aligned our sustainability efforts with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although specific calls were made to tourism under the SDGs [hyperlink – sustainable development], we believe we should not limit our efforts or constrain our vision: ambitious targets drive positive change.
The lack of an industry wide approach to tackle these goals is not a hindrance; it supports diversification, increasing our collective chance of success. We remain dynamic in our approach, accessing our competencies, while creating partnerships to bridge sectors, seek solutions and effect change, and to contribute towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Ho Kwon Ping
Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings Limited
