Sustainability is usually synonymous with environmental impact, but it’s far broader than that. How are hotels working to sustain local communities?
From a haven in the cradle of Incan civilisation to a lodge on land owned and protected by First Nations people in Canada, these hotels add another dimension to their sustainability efforts with programmes and initiatives that directly enrich and empower local communities.
In doing so, they hope travellers will also be inspired to love and care for their home away from home.
These five-star hotels around the world are making a meaningful impact on local communities, ensuring bright futures rooted in rich pasts.
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Nihi Sumba, Sumba, Indonesia
Sumba is the ace up Indonesia’s sleeve. This largely undeveloped island—where wild horses dart across white sand beaches and remote tribes continue to live as their ancestors did—is just a cheeky 30-minute flight from Bali.
Nihi Sumba’s original founders established the Sumba Foundation to preserve the island’s unique culture, while supporting village-based projects that impact health, education, clean water and income generation. Guests are encouraged to tour the foundation’s facilities or go a step further and get involved in community projects during their stay, to get a first-hand glimpse of life on the island and why Nihi Sumba works so hard to protect it.
Through donations from the hotel and its guests, the foundation has spent millions of dollars on locally sourced products used to build and supply the resort, helped more than 45,000 Sumbese gain access to clean water, and helped to reduce malaria infections byupto93percent,notto mention creating thousands of jobs on the island.
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