Natural luxury resort, The Datai Langkawi, has been honoured with EarthCheck Gold Certification in recognition of its robust regenerative tourism and sustainability initiatives. Having achieved EarthCheck ECO Certification – Silver for four consecutive years (2019–2024*), and undergoing EarthCheck’s rigorous auditing, the resort completed the five-year pathway to Gold certification. The Datai Langkawi is also the first and only resort in the world certified under the EarthCheck ECO Terrestrial Standard.
Trusted by travellers, brands, and destinations across the globe, EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism, which helps consumers make informed decisions about the tourism experiences they choose. The EarthCheck ECO programme certifies ecotourism businesses, specifically terrestrial and marine parks. This certification is aligned to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Sustainability Criteria and is recognised by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS).
This latest recognition reinforces The Datai Langkawi’s position as one of the world’s foremost sustainable tourism operators, highlighting its ongoing collaboration with EarthCheck in setting KPIs, benchmarking progress, and embedding sustainability across every aspect of its operations.
“This achievement is not just a badge, it is the culmination of years of scientific rigour, alongside continuous, ever-evolving efforts in sustainability and community conservation,” said Arnaud Girodon, Chief Executive Officer of Datai Hotels and Resorts. “We are honoured to receive EarthCheck Gold Certification, and to remain the only resort globally under the EarthCheck ECO Terrestrial Standard. It’s a true testament to our long-standing commitment to sustainability, not only in terms of the environment and wildlife, but also for local communities. Each of our initiatives under The Datai Pledge are driven by data, integrity, genuine care and passion, aiming to deliver tangible results and ensure long-lasting positive impact on the island’s biodiversity and communities”.
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The Datai Langkawi’s commitment to sustainability is further validated by a dedicated EarthCheck case study, which positions the resort as a benchmark for environmentally responsible luxury hospitality. The study showcases how sustainability is not treated as an add-on but is fully integrated into the resort’s operations, supported by science-based targets and third-party verification. From waste management to resource efficiency, every aspect is guided by a long-term vision for positive environmental and social impact.
Among the key highlights, the resort has achieved a 96% waste diversion rate, significant reductions in both energy and water consumption per guest night, and meaningful community engagement through its flagship initiative, The Datai Pledge. These outcomes not only reflect operational excellence but also demonstrate how a luxury resort can deliver measurable impact without compromising guest experience – setting a new standard for sustainable tourism in the region.
This latest achievement comes as The Datai Langkawi celebrates five years of its environmental and community impact initiative, The Datai Pledge, which was launched in 2020 to formalise its deep commitment to the protection of the surrounding flora, fauna and local community.
The resort recently shared The Datai Pledge’s fifth annual Impact Report, a detailed, transparent and data-rich publication that captures the measurable change achieved through this pioneering nature-positive programme. In its pages, it details wide-reaching sustainability, wildlife and community support projects, which have achieved significant goals across its four pillars that aim to support marine life, terrestrial wildlife, and local youth, as well as integrating sustainability across the resort’s business operations.
The report showcases how each of the four pillars is driving measurable, transformative outcomes. In 2024, positive impact highlights included:
– Fish For The Future: 253 coral nubbins were planted in Datai Bay and 23 house reef surveys conducted by the resort’s marine biologists
– Pure For The Future: 96 % of solid waste processed on site, 9,588 kg of used cooking oil converted into biofuel, 147 tons of food waste was donated to local farmers as feed, 187 metric tons of CO₂ was avoided through waste management and 10,862 recycled candles were created by The KanshaLife Project – a 111% increase from 2023
– Wildlife For The Future: 153 tree species recorded (excluding figs and palms) and 1,500 mangrove saplings were planted at the Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail
– Youth For The Future: 192 students and 53 teachers engaged in six UN-endorsed Eco-Schools projects, reflecting the programme’s unwavering commitment to transparency
The fifth annual Impact Report not only documents ongoing progress but also marked the official launch of The Datai Pledge’s solutions-led storytelling campaign, which reframes traditional environmental and sustainability narratives into practical illustrations. By framing global challenges within the immediate context of The Datai Langkawi’s natural and community environment, the campaign highlights local solutions led by its team – demonstrating how meaningful change can begin right at home and inspiring others to act within their own surroundings.
In recognition of its efforts in the framework of The Datai Pledge, The Datai Langkawi has also achieved ASEAN Green Hotel Standard Certification 2022-2024 by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC); the Malaysia Green Hotel award by MOTAC (2019-2026), and the 2024 accreditation by Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR facility.
