As the year-end holidays approach, we’re all starting to daydream about the vacation(s) we’ll take. Yet it cannot be denied that the tourism sector is one of the planet’s most harmful polluters. Between flights, hefty laundry, and single-up plastics, if things aren’t handled appropriately, our vacations can seriously harm local ecosystems and habitats.
In light of this, Marriott Bonvoy Hotels and Resorts (hereafter referred to as Marriott Bonvoy) is diversifying and reorienting its own sustainability efforts with aims to decrease its environmental footprint, build and operate sustainable properties, and source responsibly, in addition to integrating sustainability across its value chain and decreasing climate-related risk.
With a commitment to conserving the world for future generations, Marriott Bonvoy has set out on a sustainability path. Numerous eco-friendly tourism measures have been put into place, including reducing the negative effects on the environment by using renewable energy sources more frequently and managing water and energy use responsibly.
Here’s how Marriott Bonvoy is putting green initiatives into practice in Malaysia.
The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa
BoomGrow, a technology firm that revolutionises farming by growing only pure, nutrient-rich greens, has teamed with the Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa to implement a cutting-edge, island-first technological Machine Farm, furthering its commitment to sustainability.
The Machine Farm uses AI and predictive technologies to set up a hyper-local supply chain, which helps the resort keep tabs on output in real time and educates visitors about the farming process. The Machine Farm is equipped to resist extreme weather conditions, can easily increase or decrease production in response to fluctuating demand, and is data-savvy enough to control the flow of light, water, and electricity.
The partnership also puts an emphasis on improving general wellbeing and minimising environmental effects without compromising the food’s nutrient content, freshness, or flavour. The greens grown at the Machine Farm are used in all of the restaurants and bars at the Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa to create a farm-to-table atmosphere.
Address: Jalan Pantai, Jalan Dato Syed Omar, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Phone: +604 960 8888
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
The Westin Kuala Lumpur places a strong emphasis on sustainability in all aspects of service to guests. It’s also the first Marriott International property in Malaysia to use glass bottles instead of plastic. With these chemical-free, washable, and reusable glass bottles, the hotel can reduce its annual plastic bottle waste by over 400,000 units!
Guests at the Westin Kuala Lumpur will be pleased to know that the hotel doesn’t give out plastic straws, but rather paper ones upon request. The 5-star property located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur also collaborated with EcoPure Waters and developed a superior water filtration system so that the business could purify its own water and make it drinkable for visitors, in addition to encouraging guests to ‘Eat Well’ with sustainably-grown greens.
Address: 199, Bukit Bintang St, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603-2731 8333
The St. Regis Langkawi
Through three unique pillars — environmental protection, community engagement, and marine conservation — Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM gives guests the opportunity to build meaningful connections with the places they visit while also positively impacting the local community and environment.
Guests at The St. Regis Langkawi who are interested in having a more meaningful vacation have the opportunity to participate in a new customised experience called the Mangrove Conservation programme.
Mangroves abound in Langkawi, making it one of the best places in Malaysia to see them. The mangrove environment of Langkawi, however, is in jeopardy due to expanding coastal development and other issues. Visitors will learn about the importance of protecting and expanding the island’s mangrove forests through this experience.
An educational boat tour of the mangrove forests with a naturalist to see the range of exotic plants and animals follows the hands-on planting of mangrove seeds. The experience is open to visitors every day, and reservations may be arranged through the resort’s concierge. Visit Experience Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy to find out more about mangrove conservation with the hotel.
Address: Jalan Pantai Beringin, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Phone: +604-960 6666
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi
As part of its Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy initiative, The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is presenting the Sea Cucumber Reproduction Project. People in Langkawi have historically used sea cucumbers as medicine. Nevertheless, over-aquaculture is harming the local marine environment and causing more coral bleaching. Learn how asexual reproduction directly boosts local sea cucumber populations in the Andaman Sea with the help of the resident marine biologist, Mr Fadzli Luqman, and extend the lives of these fascinating organisms.
Guests will have the chance to learn more about the asexual approach and the release of mature sea cucumbers during their time spent kayaking out in the open sea. Young visitors will also have a greater understanding of the importance of this marine species and its ecology. Vacationers staying at the resort can take advantage of this service between the hours of 11am and 12pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for free.
Address: Jalan Pantai Kok, Teluk Nibung, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Phone: +604-952 4888
Element Kuala Lumpur
In honour of Element Kuala Lumpur’s fifth anniversary, the hotel just opened a new restaurant called TRACE Restaurant and Bar, which features a menu centered on health and wellbeing. TRACE strives to bring healthier options in its a la carte and buffet menu while preserving some of its popular favourites and sticking to Element’s brand value of balance, which delivers healthy and pragmatic choices for on-the-go guests.
The hotel also offers fresh, wholesome ingredients that complement a wide range of dishes thanks to its partnership with BoomGrow. The greens are freshly selected from the heart of Kuala Lumpur before being served, reflecting the recently added ‘Flavours at 40’ buffet line.
Using BoomGrow’s ‘Seriously Great Greens’ and a selection of locally-sourced toppings such cherry tomatoes, cucumber, capsicums, and purple cabbage, diners may design their own poke bowl. The rest of the sustainable menu consists of appetisers, two main courses, soup, and dessert.
Address: IB Tower, 8, Lrg Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603-2771 3388
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
BoomGrow’s tray-based growth method is used in Quan’s Kitchen at the Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown to bring you the freshest, tastiest, most distinctive and highly flavoured vegetables available.
When dining in for breakfast or the recently-introduced FUIYOH Nostalgia weekend buffet at Quan’s Kitchen, guests can pick and choose their own assortment of fresh greens and eat with confidence knowing that there are no chemicals or pesticides involved.
Address: 2, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603-2035 7333
