Guests to experience “Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure” of BMW iX car courtesy of collaboration with BMW Group Malaysia and Tian Siang Premium Auto
The Datai Langkawi has taken a further pioneering step towards the ambitious sustainability goals of The Datai Pledge, with the installation of two EV charging points in its grand lobby driveway. Anchoring a partnership with BMW Group Malaysia and Tian Siang Premium Auto, the new BMW i Charging points enable guests of The Datai Langkawi to explore the island of Langkawi in an environmentally friendly way – and, for a limited period, to experience the ‘Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure’ of BMW’s cutting-edge iX range of all-electric Sports Adventure Vehicles.
Pictured (l-r): BMW i Charging Station and BMW iX electric car; Official Ribbon cutting with Mr Sashi Ambi (Head of Corporate Communications of BMW Group Malaysia); Mr Arnaud Girodon (General Manager of The Datai Langkawi), Mr Tan Ka Kin (Managing Director of Tian Siang Premium Auto); Mr Tan Ka Kin and Mr Sashi Ambi explore The Lab at The Datai Langkawi
Following an official inauguration on 13 October 2022, guests of The Datai Langkawi can now charge their electric vehicles right at the entrance of the resort, and explore the entire island without worrying about running out of battery. To celebrate the initiative, a BMW iX car will also be available for a limited time for guests of The Datai Langkawi to experience the brand’s signature ‘Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure’.
The Datai Langkawi is constantly evaluating potential partnerships that can support its endeavours to reduce its carbon footprint and work towards enhanced operational sustainability. Arnaud Girodon, General Manager of The Datai Langkawi, commented, “Sustainability and conservation are at the core of our business strategy, and we integrate these values into all aspects of our company ethos, operations, and guest experiences at the resort. Offering this BMW i Charging station to our guests is just one of our many efforts in moving towards cleaner air and regenerative travel, to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rich biodiversity of Langkawi for generations to come.”
“BMW Group Malaysia has always believed that sustainability is a shared responsibility. As we continue to realise our vision of carbon-neutral mobility in Malaysia through our premium fully electric BMW i vehicles and the expansion of our comprehensive BMW i Charging network, we are pleased to work with likeminded partners, such as The Datai Langkawi. Through this partnership, we hope to provide a premium experience to all guests at the resort, that is both sustainable and responsible.” said Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications of BMW Group Malaysia.
"With the introduction of our new BMW i Charging facilities at The Datai Langkawi, we are thrilled to be able to bring greater access for electromobility to the island, continuing our efforts of establishing premium charging facilities across the northern regions of Malaysia. The rising interest in electric vehicles and sustainability as a whole, alongside this partnership with The Datai Langkawi, are testament to the viability of Electrified Mobility, no matter where you are." added Tan Ka Kin, Managing Director of Tian Siang Premium Auto.
Pictured (l-r): Sustainability facilities at The Datai Langkawi: The Lab made from upcycled glass; The Permaculture Garden; Stingless beehives
The partnership between BMW and The Datai Langkawi is part of the ‘Pure For The Future’ pillar of The Datai Pledge, which aims to place sustainability at the heart of The Datai Langkawi’s business operations. Conceived in 2019 as an effort to embrace the precepts of interconnectedness and interdependence between community and ecosystem, one of the goals of The Datai Pledge is continued evaluation of carbon stock as part of the resort’s ambition to achieve Carbon Neutral status by 2024. In 2021, The Datai Langkawi laid the foundations for becoming a Carbon Neutral destination, setting up the required assessment process in partnership with EarthCheck and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The first part of this project comprises a cross-pillar initiative in which the carbon stock of the surrounding rainforest (i.e. the amount of carbon stored in the forest ecosystem, mainly in the living biomass and soil) is measured. The Datai Langkawi achieved zero waste-to-landfill for the first time in December 2021 and has maintained this for more than 120 days in 2022 up to today; the resort’s carbon footprint negativity efforts also led to 177 metric tons of CO2 prevented from polluting the environment.
Within the framework of the ‘Pure For The Future’ pillar, guests can also join upcycling workshops at The Lab - a building constructed from crushed glass and 7,968 spirit bottles upcycled from the resort’s operations – and learn how to make candles, soap, beeswax wraps and more. The resort also offers guests the opportunity to explore its permaculture garden, where herbs and spices for the kitchen are grown, and the resident beekeeper tends to stingless beehives that produce Trigona Itama honey, renowned for its strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties.
In recognition of its efforts in the framework of The Datai Pledge, The Datai Langkawi has achieved Asean Green Hotel Standard Certification 2020; EarthCheck Silver Certification 2019 & 2021 (the first hotel to achieve this); and the Malaysia Green Hotel Certification 2019.
Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a seven-night private journey in Malaysia from £3,600 per person, including seven nights on bed and breakfast basis at The Datai Langkawi in a Canopy Deluxe Room; return flights from London Heathrow to Langkawi via Kuala Lumpur in Economy; and private return airport transfers.
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Notes to Editors:
For high-resolution photos of the Partnership Launch Event, please click here
For high-resolution photos of The Datai Pledge, please click here.
For high-resolution photos of The Datai Langkawi, please click here.
ABOUT THE DATAI LANGKAWI
One of the world’s most stunning resorts, The Datai Langkawi, is situated on the northwest tip of the island of Langkawi in Malaysia. Located in an ancient rainforest rich in wildlife and overlooking the tranquil Datai Bay, awarded by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 Beaches worldwide, the iconic property enchants with mesmerising nature, visionary architecture, understated elegance and Malaysian hospitality. All the 121 rooms, villas and suites at The Datai Langkawi, including the five-bedroom The Datai Estate Villa, offer breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. Elevated among treetops, set in the very heart of the rainforest and located directly on the coastline, the dining outlets, which include the award-winning The Gulai House, The Pavilion, The Dining Room and The Beach Club, pay homage to the exotic flavours and culinary traditions of the region and beyond. Bespoke facilities include The Nature Centre, an educational facility and home to resident naturalists and marine biologists, and The Spa featuring Ramuan treatments, its own Akar retail range and Voya facials. Leisure facilities include three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness centre at The Health Club; an array of wellness activities including silat and yoga, retail outlet The Boutique, a reserved space to showcase local arts and talents at The Atelier, as well as one of the most scenic golf courses in the world designed by golf legend Ernie Els, The Els Club Teluk Datai. The resort founded The Datai Pledge in 2019 - a sustainability and conservation trust that supports Langkawi’s unique fauna, flora and communities. All proceeds from The Datai Pledge aid this work and contribute to local non-profit organisations.
The Datai Langkawi is managed by Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd, an investment holding company incorporated to develop, manage and operate hospitality and attraction destinations.
ABOUT THE DATAI PLEDGE
In 2020, The Datai Pledge was established as a Private Trust. It is founded on the belief that travel has the potential to be transformative; not only for the traveller but also for the host community. The Datai Pledge was created on the premise of protecting the biodiversity and supporting the local community of Langkawi, for today and the future. It comprises four pillars: Pure For The Future, Fish For The Future, Wildlife For The Future, and Youth For The Future, working to make the resort’s business operations more sustainable, support marine life, terrestrial wildlife and local youth, respectively. For guests of The Datai Langkawi, The Datai Pledge aims to create educational experiences that inspire and uphold our collective role in responsible living on a wider global level. The Datai Pledge’s vision is to integrate conservation and sustainability into the business operations, company ethos and guest experience of The Datai Langkawi and future properties, in order to protect and help regenerate the rich biodiversity and enable the local community to thrive. The Datai Pledge is working towards this goal through developing a robust programme in conjunction with local NGOs, social enterprises and community partners.
ABOUT BMW Group Malaysia
BMW Group Malaysia is the representative of Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG in Malaysia with activities that cover the wholesale of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles, spare parts and accessories as well as the overall planning of sales, marketing, after-sales, and other related activities in Malaysia. The organisation’s presence in the country includes its National Sales Centre (NSC) in Cyberjaya and BMW Assembly Facilities at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah which supports the Malaysian region as well as the BMW Group Data Centre (GDC), BMW Group Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Cyberjaya and BMW Group Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at the Free Industrial Zone of the Senai International Airport in Senai, Johor which supports 22 markets in the Asia-Pacific region. BMW dealership network covers 39 outlets in various cities in Malaysia.
For further press information and images, please contact:
Sarah Harvey (sarah@frogandwolfpr.com), Nat Frogley (nat@frogandwolfpr.com) or Flora Gandolfo (flora@frogandwolfpr.com) at Frog & Wolf PR
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