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LEADING ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Francois Huet, Area General Manager of Banyan Tree Phuket, describes how hoteliers can protect the environment and the local communities in which they operate. He also traces his journey of discovery.

Coming from Barbizon in France, living close to one of France’s biggest forests in Fontainebleau, I’ve been lucky enough to have received an education which taught me how to live, appreciate and welcome the seasons and to understand their role in the environment through gastronomy.

After spending the first part of my career in City hotels, I found myself managing my first resort in Bora Bora. There is no better place in the world to renew one’s closeness to nature while learning and enjoying Polynesian culture and history. During that time, I had the good fortune of interacting with Humpback Whales on a daily basis during their migration period. Every day I would go out at 4pm to look out for them, together with 2 hotel guests and a bottle of champagne. Just in case we weren’t so lucky to see the whales, at least we could still enjoy a glass of champagne at sea, watching a beautiful sunset.

A growing passion

Growing more and more interested in whales, I started to search for a scientist based in French Polynesia. Mr Michael Poole and I shared data, knowledge and a passion for these amazing Humpback Whales. A year later this led me to go to San Juan Island in the United States to join The Center for Whale Research for 10 days. There I realized how fragile the environment is, how much impact we humans have on it and the responsibility we have if we want our children to enjoy similar experiences or simply walk in the forest picking up wild mushrooms to cook a freshly homemade omelette.

In 2002 after a year and a half’s break from the industry, I was not only looking for a job as General Manager but for a company that gave importance to being involved with the protection of the environment and local communities. An opportunity came up from Profile through Liz Hartstone for a position in the Maldives looking after 2 resorts. They had the added bonus of having on their payroll a local environmentalist and 2 marine biologists. What hotel company on earth would be ready to have on their payroll such a position? Banyan Tree Hotels and Spa.

I accepted the offer and joined as Area General Manager for Banyan Tree in the Maldives. During these 3 years in the Maldives the experience was amazing. We invited scientists to help us in starting a scientific program, opened our first marine lab in the Maldives, documented for the first time in the history of Maldives coral spawning, and helped to rebuild an entire island after the tragic Tsunami in 2004. We’re still involved with community work to this day.

A learning environment

We can’t protect what we don't understand; therefore Banyan Tree has decided to facilitate learning by creating more awareness through sharing knowledge with local communities, our staff and guests, working closely in collaboration with scientists and local authorities. This has made a huge impact on my life and given a different meaning to my role as a General Manager. I always believed we were far from being perfect and there is always space for improvement. In the last 5 years, Banyan Tree has encouraged me to become a more responsible hotelier and together as a company and a team we are working at making a difference.

From 2005 to 2007, I was looking after Banyan Tree Bintan and Angsana Bintan, a beautiful island located only fifty-five minutes away from Singapore. The fauna and flora are so rich with these beautiful coastal rainforests; there is so much to learn and share. Banyan Tree decided to carry the experience learned from the Maldives and opened the first Wildlife Conservation Lab in Bintan in June 2007. A team comprising a naturalist and two rangers has already started some conservation programs.

Today we all have a responsibility to be involved in saving our source of income, Planet Earth. It’s no longer just a debate; it’s a fact. It’s not only the responsibility of governments or corporate organisations; it’s also ours. General Managers are great leaders; they have the power to make a positive difference in today’s environment. Let's be a driving force for the next generation to enjoy the beautiful environment as much as we do today. This is also the same environment that the tourism industry so relies on.