Laguna Lang Co gains silver EarthCheck certification for third year

Gavin Herholdt, managing director of Laguna Lang Co, said: “Banyan Tree Group has always prided itself on its commitment to environmental protection and emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR)."

“It is, therefore, especially meaningful that Laguna Lang Co receives this certification–and that we are the first resort in Vietnam to be recognised in this manner. It is an endorsement of all the hard work and planning that takes place behind the scenes and also demonstrates Laguna Lang Co’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and natural surrounds.”

Herholdt added: “Laguna Lang Co has had sustainability at its core since the very first days, from its planning and design to its daily operation.

We are proud to be a resort well-known for its socially responsible practices with our wide variety of programmes, from group initiatives like Greening Communities and Seedlings Mentorship, to Laguna Lang Co's own special projects such as the popular English Is Fun programme for local children. These long-term programmes not only sustain the resort’s position as a leading CSR practitioner in the hospitality industry, but also ratifies Banyan Tree’s long-held values of being a responsible world corporate citizen."

“It is my hope that Laguna Lang Co will continue to develop and grow in harmony with the surrounding environment and community where our resort is located, and all these efforts will have long-standing effects in the next 10, 20 years, turning Lang Co into a vibrant and engaged world-class holiday destination in Central Vietnam,” he added.

Since 1987, EarthCheck has helped businesses, communities and governments to deliver clean, safe, prosperous and healthy destinations for travellers to visit, live, work and play.

The assessment is carried out annually and is based on criteria set by EarthCheck. A total of 10 Key Performance Areas are addressed in this standard–Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Management; Management of Freshwater Resources; Eco-system Conservation and Management; Social and Cultural Management; Land Use Planning and Management; Air Quality Protection; Wastewater Management; Solid Waste Management and Environmentally Harmful Substances.

EarthCheck science and products were developed by the Australian Government Sustainable Tourism Co-operative Research Centre (STCRC), over a 10-year period. “Our science is reviewed annually to ensure that it meets international standards relative to greenhouse gas protocols, responsible tourism and certification,” said a spokesperson for EarthCheck.

EarthCheck products and services are built on the Agenda 21 principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 Heads of State at the United Nations Rio De Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992.

The spokesperson said: “Our certification programme provides a framework to achieve the desired outcomes for sustainable development as set out in the final report of the World Summit for Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. It also complies with the Mohonk Agreement which outlines the guidelines and principles for an international sustainable tourism certification programme."

“EarthCheck Certified is Certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and has been approved by the CDP. Tourism operations who display the EarthCheck Certified seal, can clearly demonstrate their environmental and social performance and provide confidence for consumers that they are walking the talk,” he said.