Bill Bensley: Designing a Sustainable Future in Hospitality
Written by: Rhea Vitto Tabora
In the vibrant world of sustainable travel, few names resonate as powerfully as Bill Bensley. Known for his extraordinary, award-winning hotel and landscape designs, Bensley's work is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation. Yet, beneath the surface of his architectural masterpieces lies a deeper narrative, one of a dedicated conservationist, a fervent philanthropist, and an unyielding eco-warrior.
A Harvard graduate who left for Asia immediately after graduating from college, Bensley's journey from the self-sustaining farm of his childhood in California to the helm of his own design studios in Bangkok and Bali is a story of passion and purpose. His upbringing, steeped in the principles of sustainability, has shaped his approach to design, infusing each project with a profound respect for the environment and local communities.
Celebrating over three decades of BENSLEY Design Studios, Bensley's legacy is not only etched in the stunning aesthetics of his creations but also in the positive impact they have had on the environment and communities they inhabit. His commitment to sustainability, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence, has earned him a place among the most influential figures in the travel and hospitality industry.
His designs, much like his life, are a testament to the beauty of exploration and the power of sustainable hospitality and travel. Today, with over 200 projects across 30 countries, Bensley continues to inspire, innovate, and lead the charge towards a more sustainable future in travel.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into his journey, his philosophy, and his vision for the future of sustainable travel.
Join us as we uncover the story of Bill Bensley, an ASTB Asia's Sustainable Travel Changemaker, a man whose designs are not just structures but also powerful statements of conservation and sustainability.
What inspired you to focus on sustainable design in the hospitality industry, and what motivates you to keep creating new and unique designs?
My first degree in landscape architecture taught me the fundamentals of creating sustainable environments for living, growing food, and harnessing energy. It was instilled in me as a common sense rather than a revolutionary concept.
As my clients became more sophisticated over time, I felt inspired to stay ahead of them. Witnessing the impact of my designs on the environment and the positive feedback from guests has motivated me to continually push boundaries and create new, unique, and sustainable designs.
Shinta Mani Wild – A Bensley Collection in the South Cardamom Wilderness in Cambodia is a stunning example of a hotel that protects nature and wildlife in a fragile wilderness. Can you discuss the challenges of designing such a hotel and how you were able to achieve a low environmental impact?
Designing Shinta Mani Wild was a challenging endeavor. It required 17 trips to the site to determine what should go where. However, just when I thought we had it figured out, a one in 50-year old flood washed down the Tmor Rung River, and it forced us to reevaluate our plans.
I was determined not to cut down a single tree, and this commitment led us to search for natural openings in the dense jungle, which coincidentally occurred next to the river on top of huge boulder outcrops.
With vast land available, the impact of the 15 tents we constructed was negligible, providing ample space per tent. There is one tent per forty acres at Shinta Mani Wild. This approach allowed us to minimize the environmental footprint while creating a unique experience for guests.
Photos by: Shinta Mani Wild - A Bensley Collection
“Witnessing the impact of my designs on the environment and the positive feedback from guests has motivated me to continually push boundaries and create new, unique, and sustainable designs.”
How do you collaborate with local communities and stakeholders when designing and building hotels and resorts, particularly in areas with fragile ecosystems - or cultural heritage sites, to ensure that your designs are socially and environmentally responsible?
At Shinta Mani Wild, the poachers became our rangers, and we established a strong bond with the local community.
Shinta Mani Wild rangers
Currently, we are designing five camps in the rainforest of the Republic of the Congo, in one of the world's most remote wildernesses. The area has a minimal human presence, with more gorillas than people.
We have to be very, very sensitive.
We take precautions such as wearing masks to avoid infecting gorillas and avoiding motorized vehicles that could startle elephants. I have to walk 52 kilometers to get to the site. It takes more than three days to get there. Pygmies act as our guides, and their charming presence adds to the experience.
At the Congo Conservation Project, collaboration and sensitivity to the local environment and community are key considerations.
The project involves the renovation of two existing camps/lodges and the creation of two or three more in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park and Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo. The objective is to enable the preservation and study of the pristine forest while allowing a limited number of visitors to explore the area respectfully.
Ndoki site plan. Photo by: Congo Conservation Company
Nouabale Ndoki. Photo by: Scott Ramsay WCS
How do you balance the need for profitability in the hospitality industry with your commitment to sustainability and philanthropy?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to our Shinta Mani family and projects took precedence. With tourism at a halt, Sokoun, the founder and co-owner of Shinta Mani Hotels, and I personally provided salaries and food.
The Shinta Mani Foundation, which lies at the heart of our work, continues to drive our philanthropic efforts. In line with our commitment, the exhibition of my paintings raises funds for community outreach and conservation projects.
Bill Bensley in his painting studio
Are there any stories that stand out to you that illustrate how sustainability can make an impact on people's lives and/or communities?
In my vision for a prosperous Cambodia, I see a society where every individual has access to education and opportunities that can transform their lives.
This vision began to take shape in 2004 with the establishment of the Shinta Mani Hotel and our own Hospitality School Siem Reap. We initiated an innovative program that trains underprivileged Cambodians in hotel operations, free of charge.
Since its inception, we've seen 297 Khmer students graduate, all of whom have found employment in the hospitality industry. This success led us to expand our programs in 2006, focusing on empowering families through education, health, and development initiatives.
Today, the Shinta Mani Foundation operates with the goal of transforming Cambodian families and communities into thriving centers of life and activity.
Our programs have had a measurable impact on the community. We've built 1,755 wells, provided 1,700 water filters, constructed 123 homes, and given out 79 microloans. We've also seen 297 hospitality graduates, conducted 14,932 dental check-ups, and distributed 3,600 bicycles.
These numbers represent real, meaningful changes for families and the local community. Our education program, for instance, provides free tuition, uniforms, materials, meals, and even housing for students from distant villages. Over a ten-month period, these students learn English, computer skills, and life skills, and intern in various departments of the hotel.
In addition to education, we also focus on farming and micro-finance. Recognizing that farming is essential to Cambodian life, we've initiated a program that benefits both farmers and hotels. Farmers earn better returns on their crops, and hotels receive fresh, locally grown produce.
Our interest-free micro-finance program provides loans to local entrepreneurs, helping them start businesses and create income to support their families and fund their children’s education. Repayments are then used to fund new entrepreneurs, creating a cycle of development within the community.
Healthcare, clean water, and direct assistance are also key areas of our work. We partner with national health centers and international health workers to bring health education and screenings to villages.
We have committed to building water wells and securing filtration systems for families without access to clean water. We also provide necessities like food, shelter, and clothing for families suffering from sudden disasters or emergency needs.
All of this is made possible by the generous support of the Shinta Mani Foundation and our donors. Every single donation goes directly to assist underprivileged Cambodians. This is the impact of sustainability on people's lives and communities, and it's a story that continues to unfold every day.
Shinta Mani Foundation - Bill Bensley - Kohler water filter donations
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in creating sustainable hospitality projects in Asia, and how have you overcome them?
While creating sustainable havens like Shinta Mani Wild, our greatest challenge has been safeguarding the region from poachers and illegal loggers. In March, we recovered over 10,000 snares from the jungles. A snare is a wire tied to sapling trees that can kill an elephant, a haunting reminder of the grave threats to wildlife and ecosystems.
Overcoming this obstacle requires relentless efforts, including transforming former poachers into rangers and establishing a united front against environmental destruction. By partnering with local communities, we work hand-in-hand to combat these challenges and protect the fragile wilderness we cherish.
How do you measure the sustainability and environmental impact of your designs, and what metrics do you use to track progress?
At Shinta Mani Wild, we believe in tangible results that reflect our commitment to sustainability. That's why we have a stats board that is updated every day. This board serves as a visual representation of our ongoing efforts.
It tracks critical data, such as the number of animals released from snares, confiscated bird nets, chainsaws, guns, illegal logging trucks, and the unfortunate tally of deceased wildlife. It provides real-time insight into the impact we are making and acts as a powerful motivator for continuous improvement.
The stats board at the Headquarters Restaurant in WILD is updated daily with the results of the rangers' patrols to give a live update of their achievements.
What advice would you give to hospitality and travel industry players who are interested in adopting more sustainable practices but are unsure where to start?
Come to Shinta Mani Wild and learn first-hand how we do it.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the future of sustainable hospitality and the role that design will play in shaping it?
I think there will be a huge movement to travel only to places that take proper measures to protect Mother Earth... At least, I hope so.
People are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint and are actively seeking out sustainable options. This shift will drive the hospitality industry to redefine luxury, emphasizing responsible practices and immersive experiences that harmonize with nature. Design will play a pivotal role in shaping this future, as it acts as a catalyst for innovation and showcases the extraordinary possibilities of sustainable hospitality and sustainable travel.
“People are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint and are actively seeking out sustainable options.
This shift will drive the hospitality industry to redefine luxury, emphasizing responsible practices and immersive experiences that harmonize with nature.
Design will play a pivotal role in shaping this future, as it acts as a catalyst for innovation and showcases the extraordinary possibilities of sustainable hospitality and sustainable travel.”
Photo by: Shinta Mani Wild
During his captivating keynote address at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2020 when Bill Bensley launched his open-source Sensible Sustainability Solutions white paper for the global hotel industry, he echoed these words:
“I am done with designing lavish hotels just to put heads on beds. Every hospitality project that we have on the drawing boards right now has a purpose and a candle to light.
Those of us in hospitality – be it designers, owners, or operators – have the power of reaching thousands of people through our hotels and spreading this message of purpose.
We should shoulder more responsibility concerning issues such as education, clean accessible water, alternative energy, energy consumption, food waste, wildlife protection, and conservation, he said. Let’s all lose the greenwash[ing] and do something real.”
Capella Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos
MGallery Yen Tu, Vietnam
Intercontinental Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
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