Thirty-three year old conservation-led experiential company andBeyond has tasked itself with an ambitious project to double the impact of its project work globally, in one-third of the time.
Speaking to travel partners in Sydney last week, Johannesburg-based Izak de Villiers, Africa Sales Manager, revealed andBeyond’s ‘Impact Strategy 2030’ remains centred on conservation work “first and foremost”, and to double its results in just seven years.
de Villiers, a former safari guide, said andBeyond’s conservation work started 33 years ago at Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Formerly a pineapple farm, andBeyond converted, or “re-wilded” the land, into a conservation area of almost 70,000 acres.
“The company started operating lodges and destination management companies to fund its conservation “habits”, which now number 29 luxury lodges in Africa, Asia and South America, and one expedition yacht which launched in the Galapagos in recent weeks – andBeyond Galapagos Explorer.
“Part of that will be influencing the natural areas that we are in by increasing massively the land that we directly influence in, and also where we have indirect influence in – both from a conservation-side as well as a community-side,” de Villiers added.
“Based on the line of ‘if it pays, it stays‘, and if it pays for the local communities they will look after it, and that is what we set out to achieve.”
What that means for guests, says de Villiers, is that the contribution that andBeyond makes to the communities in which it works equates to $125, per guest night. “And we want to double that amount to $250 by 2030.”
“Every lodge and property and new experience that we talk about is based on that perspective.”
“Yes, we are a company that obviously wants to make money, but all of it is done with a purpose. And we don’t just greenwash. We don’t just talk about it. We release an Impact Review every couple of years which explains where every single dollar we receive gets spent in communities, etc.
“It is a very important part of our business. That we don’t just talk about it. We do,” de Villiers remarked.
In terms of growth and new projects for andBeyond, de Villiers said “expansion is probably going to be less about Africa in the next couple of years,” with the company being “more selective” and locations it may move into.
“We want to go into areas where we can really make a difference.”
Among new properties that are already locked in for Africa is andBeyond Suyian Lodge in the Suyian Conservancy in Laikipia, a property in Kenya named after the wild dog and the large packs that roam the 18,000 hectare concession, which andBeyond has a 40 year lease.
andBeyond has also renewed leases at a number of its African properties. In Zanzibar, andBeyond Mnemba Island is currently closed for a two-year upgrade. That project is earmarked to be completed in the coming months, with the view of reopening from 1 October 2024.
andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge‘s lease has also been renewed. de Villiers confirmed the property will be closed for two years, in which time “we will build a more ecologically sound lodge”.
Similarly at andBeyond Ngala Private Game Reserve on the Timbavati River, the conservation-led firm has re-acquired the lease on the private concession. If comprises just nine intimate and luxurious tented suites and is slated to reopen after an extensive refurbishment in October this year. Work has involved increasing the size of the rooms.
de Villiers explained that andBeyond’s strategy over the last 10-12 years has been to create a DMC in countries to “see the lay of the land, see where we can make an impact.”
That action plan is currently being used in Rwanda where andBeyond has its own office, guides and vehicles. And the next step will be an andBeyond lodge, located on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. andBeyond has purchased six properties which will be spread across 91 hectares, some of which will be re-wilded.
Cristobal Urzua, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, South America highlighted andBeyond’s new intimate yacht, which has a capacity of 13 guests.
Urzua said one key aspect of andBeyond Galapagos Explorer is that three cabins on Deck 1 are all located within very close proximity to each other, and can accommodate a small group of seven guests – between one Super Suite and two Luxury Cabins.
“This is a perfect for a family or a group of friends where they can have their own private guide and experiences.”
On the land, and a long way from the Galapagos, andBeyond has andBeyond Vira Vira in the Chilean Lakes District. Urzua said its proximity to Santiago, often the departing gateway from South America for Australian travellers, made it an ideal last night accommodation for travellers.
“Just one hour’s flight from Santiago, and with three flights daily to connect to your international flight, your clients are avoiding an extra night in Santiago.
In Asia where andBeyond launched andBeyond Punakha River Lodge in Bhutan last year, Anubhav Sawhney, International Sales Manager told LATTE that Sri Lanka would likely be the next country it will launch projects. Rather than lodges, Sri Lanka would be better suited to tented canvas camps, similar to a mobile camp.
Sawhney said that before the COVID pandemic andBeyond was eyeing growth in Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia, Bali, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Those aspirations are now on pause, however he hinted at the possibility of a new project in Nepal.
The andBeyond trade roadshow visited Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Auckland.
Lead image: The andBeyond team at Capella Sydney last week, from left are Cristobal Urzua, Izak de Villiers, Norman Harper, Sales Representative, Australia and New Zealand and Anubhav Sawhney.
