In a media statement, the group said the “brand shift reflects the group’s evolution into multi-brand hospitality powerhouse.”  

Since 2019, the Banyan Tree Group has doubled its brand portfolio with properties in new destinations such as  Banyan Tree AlUla in Saudi Arabia, Garrya in Kyoto and Folio in Osaka, Japan, Dhawa in Ho Tram, Vietnam, Homm in Huzhou, China and Banyan Tree Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 

2023 also marked a year of strong and steady business performance that has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

Expansion continues in 2024 

“As we celebrate the Group’s 30th anniversary and its evolution into Banyan Group, this milestone is not only a testament to the Group’s enduring success in the hospitality industry but also sets the stage for an exciting future,” said Banyan Group president and CEO Eddy See

“This brand evolution reflects our portfolio transformation from a single luxury brand to our diverse offering. With a keen eye on expansion, we are seizing new opportunities with our distinct brands, designed to meet evolving traveller preferences and needs in these dynamic markets.” 

Banyan Group manages 12 global brands, 75 hotels and resorts, over 60 spas and galleries and 14 branded residences across 22 countries. As part of a robust pipeline of properties, the Group’s expansion in 2024 will include 19 new properties and residences in Cambodia, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Mexico. Here are the highlights:  
The Group’s first property in Cambodia will debut with Angsana Siem Reap.
The first Banyan Tree property in Japan, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. 
Further enhancing Banyan Group’s multi-brand presence, additional brands are set to debut in Vietnam – Angsana Quan Lan in Halong Bay and Garrya Mu Chang Chai, as well as in South Korea with Cassia and Homm Sokcho.
Suzhou, approximately 2 hours away from Shanghai by train or car, will feature two complexes – The first, in Shishan, will include Banyan Tree and Angsana, while the second, by Yangcheng Lake, will include Banyan Tree and Garrya. 
Angsana Tengchong marks the Group’s fifth property in the Yunnan province of China. 
In North America, Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe marks the debut of the first full-fledged Banyan Tree Veya in Mexico. 

30^th anniversary year 

During its 30^th anniversary in 2024, Banyan Group will launch Beyond, a new digital companion that offers a holistic experience across its codified wellbeing framework, and ‘withBanyan’, an experiential members programme that rewards engagement, interactions and actions. The celebration extends globally with 11 trade pop-ups, engaging global consumer campaigns, the launch of eight signature scents inspired by the Group’s eight pillars of wellbeing and limited edition artisanal anniversary gifts, all crafted in collaboration with the communities where the Group operates.  

For more information about Banyan Group, visit www.groupbanyan.com. 

(SOURCE: Banyan Group)

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 The invite from the Banyan Tree Group’s multi-brand hotels and resorts offers Spa experiences and discounts on stays. 

• Stay longer to explore some of the world’s most spectacular locales with up to 40% savings at select accommodations, ensuring exceptional value and creating unforgettable experiences.

• Rejuvenate between adventures with 35% off à la carte Spa treatments with 35% off (excluding beauty and facial treatments and other promotional treatments).

• Support artisan communities and gain an appreciation for indigenous crafts with 35% off retail items (excluding consignment and other promotional items) at Gallery.

This multi-brand campaign highlights the group’s commitment to prioritising wellness across all its offerings. For more information and reservations, visit www.banyantreegroup.com/offers/live-well-travel-well.

(Source: Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts)

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Buahan unveils its latest collaboration this December, an exclusive two-night nature creative retreat led by Singaporean Botanical Artist Lucinda Law. The Beauty of Nature Creative Retreat takes place from 7 to 9 December and is the Singaporean artist’s first-ever retreat hosted in Bali. The curated itinerary aims to promote a nature-sensory transformative experience for guests to connect with themselves and like-minded attendees to awaken their senses to the beauty of nature.

The nature-sensory retreat is a collaboration between Lucinda Law and Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, and the outcome of a mutual consideration to bridge city-dwellers to access the beauty of nature. Focused on three main aspects of nurturing the participants’ creative processes, the technicalities and hands-on teaching will be weaved into the Creative Awakening, Creative Restoration and Creative Expression segments from Lucinda’s new creative guidebook.

Guests can use creative tools such as botanical art, travel sketching, reflective journal and poetry expressions to frame their artwork activities. This will encourage guests to form various ways of creative expressions inspired by nature to create their work from the techniques that will be taught by Lucinda herself and takeaway tips to continue using them in their personal lives and creative practices.

Lucinda Law comments: “The retreat programme, ‘nature-naked’ experience and principles upheld by Buahan, come together seamlessly to make this retreat a powerful catalyst for the transformative effects the beauty in nature has on our well-being.”

Puspa Anggareni, Resort Manager at Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, comments: “We are delighted to host the nature-creative retreat led by Lucinda Law, which closely aligns with Buahan’s vision to create immersive experiences, combining human connection and nature to bring harmony from within.” To book The Beauty of Nature Creative Retreat with Lucinda Law at Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Ubud, Bali, visit here.

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Taken from the root word “to weave”, Veya is mindful that wellbeing is a lifelong journey, and each path is different. This inspired the resort brand to curate personalised and bespoke experiences for guests built on Banyan Tree’s proprietary eight pillars of wellbeing; Sleep & Rest, Dietary Awareness, Bonding & Connection, Physical Vitality, Cultivate the Mind, Learning & Development, and Harmony with Nature and Sustained Practices.

“With our hyper-stimulated modern life, our nervous systems cannot truly relax and, therefore, rest; chronic stress erodes our natural immunity and regenerative capacity. Our ethos #OwnYourPresence guides our mission of inspiring individuals to travel inwards and become conscious of how their daily actions, thoughts, and emotions interact with their physical being,” says Banyan Tree Group Senior Vice President, Brand and Commercial Ho Ren Yung.

Banyan Tree Veya marked its debut with the recent opening of Banyan Tree Veya Phuket and with upcoming resorts planned in Vabbinfaru, Maldives and Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique.

Banyan Tree Veya Phuket is a 23-villa resort offering a serene enclave within Laguna Phuket, a distinct and tranquil location within the Banyan Tree Phuket resort and a few minutes’ walk from Bangtao Beach.

Veya guests can enjoy exclusive access to a Wellbeing Centre featuring Thailand’s first-ever White Room for sensory detox and meditative practice and a traditional herb farm-pharmacy workshop options for spa, private classes, dining and retail products. A journey reflection consultation is offered before departure, followed by personalised programmes and lifestyle practices to continue their wellbeing journey in their daily lives.

Three Step Wellbeing Experience

The journey at Veya is led by certified multidisciplinary wellbeing hosts, who are certified and trained in eastern medicine, naturopathy and coaching, around a three-step protocol of Awareness, Discovery and Sustenance.

Before arrival, guests will have a private consultation with the wellbeing hosts to determine their needs and priorities. After assessing the brand’s codified wellbeing approach, a personalised itinerary is created to align with the needs and priorities, centring on embodiment therapies and somatic practices allowing guests to centre the mind and body.

Mindfulness practices at Veya include classes such as Ocean Breath and Conscious Grounding, which aim to raise sensory awareness through breathwork, sound therapy and guided imagery meditation techniques in natural environments. The somatic movement consists of intuitive forms of dance, yoga and classes such as Balance and Stability that focus on the internal experience of movement to release chronic tension patterns and calm the nervous system. While weightless, a new range of signature therapies unique to Veya, combines rehabilitative floatation with body stretch massage techniques and meditational sound therapy into a restorative sensory experience. Lifestyle learning is a series of workshops to introduce wellbeing rituals into daily life, including creative therapies, integrative nutrition, and classes such as Positive Resilience to help guests bring the retreat experience home.

A stay at Banyan Tree Veya includes accommodation in the Veya Pool Villas, well-designed for rest and restoration, a private wellbeing assessment before the arrival with mapping and consultation, a bespoke wellbeing itinerary from the curated group wellbeing activity calendar, daily rituals, and mindful practices. Flexible Veya credits allow guests to choose the preferred private sessions, spa treatments, retail purchases and outlet dining, end-of-stay reflection and consultation, allowing guests to weave new learnings and practices and continue the path of wellbeing upon returning home as well as a personalised guide to take home to support personal practice.

Banyan Tree Veya caters to guests 13 years and above. For more information and reservations, visit www.veya.banyantree.com

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It invites travellers to book stays with up to 33% savings on stays and spa experiences across 23 countries.

Banyan Tree Group’s 60 properties are participating in the campaign that covers four established brands; Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia and Garrya, plus the newest brand addition, Banyan Tree Escape. The campaign runs from 14 September to 4 October 2022 for stays until 30 September 2023.

Bookings are available now via: www.banyantree.com/live-well-travel-well

(Your Stories: Banyan Tree)

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This year’s annual Time list of the World’s Greatest Places highlights 50 extraordinary travel destinations worldwide. To compile this list, TIME solicited nominations of places – including countries, regions, cities and towns – from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.

In Bali, Indonesia, Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape was mentioned for its pioneering “no walls, no doors” concept in its bales (villas) and throughout the secluded property. Situated in a quiet enclave north of Ubud, Buahan is surrounded by rice paddies and jungle, next to the Ayung River and waterfall, and offers a sweeping view of Bali’s seven majestic peaks. Each of the resort’s 16 specious bales is designed to blend indoor and outdoor areas, where only a thin veil separates guests from nature.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Angsana Saranam Wellness Resort, launching at the end of 2022, was also cited, indicating the continued interest in wellbeing offerings for leisure travellers. Nestled in the mountains of Bedugul in the central highlands of Bali, the resort will feature private villas with outdoor pools and spa and wellbeing amenities.

“Banyan Tree Group had just launched the brand extension, Banyan Tree Escape, this year, with the intent for our guests to commune with themselves, others and nature at their own pace. And while we have yet to unveil our new wellbeing- focused Angsana resort in Bali, this double recognition serves as a testament to our purpose of offering exceptional, design-led experiences rooted in sustainability and wellbeing through our multi-brand ecosystem,” explained Banyan Tree Group senior vice president, brand and commercial Ho Ren Yung.“

(Your Stories: Banyan Tree)

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But the return of airline services is vital to deliver the rebound in bookings and the island’s hospitality leaders need to determine the sales strategy and direction going forward while possibly addressing the need to refine hotel products and services to meet new market requirements. 

Angsana Laguna Phuket, Senior Area General manager Michal Zitek said that the hotel has been focusing on human development to prepare skilled and experienced staff for the comeback of Phuket’s tourism following the recent easing of travel restrictions. 

“During 2020-2021, when tourism in Phuket was dramatically hit by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, some skilled staff decided to leave the hospitality industry because of the uncertainties in tourism and hospitality. Now, tourism and hospitality started to demonstrate stability, and the service charges are returning to sustainable levels. At Angsana Laguna Phuket, we expect to see skilled and experienced staff coming back to us. At the same time, we will do our best to develop and motivate the new generation joining the hospitality industry,” said Zitek. 

“When it comes to people, we need to ensure that we have enough skilled, qualified, and motivated associates to deliver the services we promise to our guests”

At the end of last year, amid the ongoing challenge for skilled labour, the hotel and its sister brands in Phuket conducted mass recruitments and welcomed new staff to the hospitality industry.

“When it comes to people, we need to ensure that we have enough skilled, qualified, and motivated associates to deliver the services we promise to our guests. Therefore, we signed MoU with the Prince of Songkla University to work on human development and management programmes. We also established in-house training facilities in conjunction with Banyan Tree Management Academy so that we can re-develop the quality of the hospitality industry in Thailand.” 

Zitek said that although some source markets that delivered robust bookings in the pre-Covid-19 era have still not fully recovered there is plenty of evidence to show new markets are emerging post-Covid.

“This means we have to keep up with the latest trends and respond quickly in the markets that are being served by airlines.”  

“One area that we’re focusing on is our language skills. Besides global languages, we are also looking for specialists in other languages, such as Arabic or Russian, to cater to the latest booking trends from the Arabic or Russian-speaking markets. At the moment, we’ve seen a lot more Middle East travellers. And they are not the typical Middle East travellers we welcomed before such as from Dubai. We are finding that other markets are opening up, and we have received guests from Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. So, there’s an extension of the business that’s coming through from Arab states rather than just the Gulf States,” Zitek explained. 

Currently, Indian travellers have become a major source of inbound arrivals to Phuket thanks to direct air links from Indian cities, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Delhi.

“When there’re flights, there’re guests. Leisure and wedding groups from India are now becoming popular again in Phuket. Based on the requirement of these markets, we still engage our Indian chef and serve authentic Indian food to guests.

“Next on the horizon is the South Korean market, which has a holiday period from July to October. Again, this allows us to look more closely at our products and services offered in the Korean markets, especially family and honeymoon travels. Angsana is already established to cater to both markets’ needs, whether it’d be our stunning one-bedroom suites for honeymoon couples or two-bedroom suites for family markets.” 

For the Russian market, he said that the hotel is monitoring the situation and looking at various outcomes that could materialise toward the end of the year. “Like everything in Phuket, we’re determined by the airlift. So, it depends on whether the Russian airlines, including charter operators, can fly from Russia without restrictions.” 

Currently, Angsana Laguna Phuket is offering 381 guest rooms in a spacious seaside property on the west coast of Phuket. The hotel has a strong history as a leisure hotel, while in 2019, it added a 1,500-sqm Angsana Convention and Exhibition Space (ACES) that gives an opportunity for the hotel to diversify and expand the market into meetings and convention businesses.

With the opening up of Thailand’s tourism, the hotel was selected as the venue for the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) from 8 to 10 June 2022. 

“Typically, we are sitting above 60% even without meeting groups. With the exhibition and meeting groups, we would sit around 90% plus. We’re expecting to see 100% in some weeks in the coming months this year. It’s promising for Phuket that we have those occupancy levels coming through, and of course, it also helps other industries in Phuket, including restaurants, transportation, and food suppliers, get back to business.” 

In terms of the MICE markets, Phuket benefits from direct flights from Israel which also includes incentive groups visiting Phuket. “On the radar, we’ll see incentive groups from long haul markets including the UK, Australia, and the USA. Air access to Phuket is still better than many other destinations. We still have flights from Singapore and hope the route from South Korea will re-open soon. So, we’ve seen that the airlift and flight connectivity make a big difference in convincing corporations to select Phuket as a meeting and incentive destination,” Zitek concluded. 

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