Innovating Sustainability: A conversation with Envi Lodges' visionary co-founder, Noelle Homsy
Menia Voevoda, MBA
Founder & Managing Director @ Secret Treasures || Hospitality Transformation Expert
Menia Voevoda: Can you elaborate on the vision behind Envi Lodges and how it has evolved since its inception?
Noelle Homsy: ENVI Lodges began with the vision of bringing travelers closer to nature, akin to the immersive safari experiences in Africa. We recognized early on that our lodges must respect and minimize their impact on their environments, and in some cases, work to regenerate them, to ensure there is always something for guests to explore. This commitment to sustainability became a cornerstone of our mission.
Our lodges offer five types of experiences: environmental, wellness, agri-tourism, adventure, and cultural. As we explored these areas, we realized that wellness is an integral part of each, albeit interpreted differently. We understood that people are healthier and happier in nature, which led us to infuse wellness and wellbeing into all our lodges.
From the outset, our mission was to create sustainable and eco-friendly lodges. However, we soon realized that achieving true sustainability requires balancing eco-conscious practices with guest comfort and financial viability. This realization led to a pivotal shift in our approach: making informed trade-offs to ensure our projects are environmentally responsible, commercially feasible, and comfortable for guests.
In line with this philosophy, our lodges are designed to extend the ethos of sustainability into the experiences we offer. Through various activities, we aim to educate our guests and immerse them in the local environment and culture. We believe that fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world epitomizes luxury for today’s discerning traveler. This thoughtful integration of sustainability and experiential luxury defines ENVI Lodges and sets us apart in the hospitality landscape.
Menia Voevoda: Envi Lodges emphasizes creating a deep connection with nature. How do you ensure this principle is upheld across all your lodges?
Noelle Homsy: It all starts with respecting the nature and wildlife that host us, considering ourselves as guests in their habitat. We only undertake projects designed with this ethos in mind, utilizing low-impact construction methods such as luxury tented structures, modular pre-fab units on platforms, and biophilic pods that use natural, native materials and vernacular construction methods to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
Our operations adhere to high standards of sustainability, and we actively engage our guests in participating in our sustainability initiatives. Guest experiences are curated to bring people closer to nature, allowing them to appreciate even the smallest details. Activities include nature walks, bird-watching tours, organic farming, safari tours, yoga and meditation in nature, sound healing, marine education, and native tree planting.
Menia Voevoda: What role does sustainability play in your operations, and can you share some specific sustainability initiatives implemented at your lodges?
Noelle Homsy: Sustainability is our founding principle and the core of our mission is to foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment that hosts us. We understand that preserving these environments is essential, as there won’t be much left to explore or discover if we don’t.
Our CARE program is our comprehensive sustainability framework, detailing what an ENVI lodge should do across our seven sustainability pillars: respecting the land, protecting wildlife, eating responsibly, being mindful of resources, supporting local communities, designing with a sense of place, and most importantly, engaging our guests in our sustainability initiatives. Our design guidelines, technical standards, and operating procedures are infused with sustainability requirements. These standards were rigorously vetted, amended, and validated by Beyond Green, our certifying partner and the only global alliance of eco-hotels, resorts, and lodges. They assess lodges based on 50 sustainability indicators.
Specific sustainability initiatives we implement include utilizing solar power to meet energy needs, treating sewage water for irrigation purposes, and completely eliminating single-use plastics in favor of more sustainable alternatives. We filter water and bottle it in reusable glass bottles, source sustainable amenities locally, and grow some organic produce on-site to support local agriculture to achieve our targets for 0-km ingredients on our menus. We hire locals to support the community and ensure economic benefits are shared, infuse the guest experience with local culture, and collaborate with local communities to offer authentic experiences.
Additionally, we invite guests to participate in sustainability initiatives such as tree planting and upcycling of materials, fostering a hands-on approach to sustainability. We educate them, including children, on the importance of nature preservation and sustainable practices. By implementing these initiatives, we ensure that sustainability is not just a principle but a practical, everyday aspect of our operations, helping us preserve the natural environments we cherish and offering our guests meaningful, responsible travel experiences.
Menia Voevoda: What have been some of the most significant challenges in establishing and expanding Envi Lodges, and how have you overcome them?
Noelle Homsy: When we first started three years ago, responsible tourism was a relatively new concept, especially in the markets where we began our business development. We went through a phase of educating potential owners and investors, convincing them that this is the future of tourism, and that those who continue to do business the old way will be left behind. Making our case, both financially and ethically, was essential to gain their trust and support. It wasn’t easy going against the current when all the big players were still building traditional large hotels with hundreds of rooms in overcrowded destinations.
Today, both the public and private sectors have started to recognize that the landscape of leisure tourism has changed, becoming more receptive to investing in experiential ecolodges. Private owners now understand that travelers seek unique stays and that, unlike traditional real estate, the value of their properties lies in the experiences they provide and the reputation they build. We are also attracting the right partners who want to be part of the new generation of travel, making it less challenging to find like-minded collaborators.
At a property level, the most difficult challenge has been balancing three critical factors. First, guest comfort is paramount, especially since we operate in the luxury space, where there are certain guest expectations that can compromise our sustainable endeavors, such as running air conditioners 24/7 in hot climates. Second, the availability of sustainable materials and products, and their origins, poses a challenge. For instance, while we can find recycled wood certified to be from sustainable sources, it might come from Australia. This raises the dilemma of whether to use it for a lodge in Saudi Arabia or opt for less sustainable materials available locally. Third, sustainability is unfortunately expensive, and as for-profit businesses, we need to ensure a minimum return on investment.
Our journey has been about seeking a balance among financial viability, environmental sustainability, and guest comfort. Finding solutions that align these three aspects remains our ongoing challenge as we move forward with our projects.
Menia Voevoda: What qualities do you seek in potential partners or communities that focus on providing authentic local experiences and enhancing the sustainable development of destinations and properties?
Noelle Homsy: We always look for partners who are genuinely committed to making a positive impact, aligning with our core values of sustainability and authenticity. It is crucial that our partners share our vision of avoiding greenwashing and gimmicky cultural performances. Instead, we seek collaborators who are dedicated to providing real, meaningful experiences for our guests.
We aim to curate experiences that reflect the true essence of the local culture and environment. Our ideal partners are those who possess a deep understanding and respect for their community’s traditions, practices, and natural surroundings.
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Menia Voevoda: How does Envi Lodges contribute to the local communities and cultures where your lodges are located?
Noelle Homsy: Supporting local communities and celebrating and protecting their cultures is one of our seven sustainability pillars at Envi Lodges. We integrate this commitment at multiple levels throughout the project lifecycle, from design, construction, and furnishing to daily operations.
For example, our lodge in Arusha, Tanzania, is being designed with inspiration from the Maasai tribes, incorporating circular walls to protect against wild animals. At our upcoming lodge in Jabal Akhdar, Oman, we have allocated a special area in the master plan for a souk or farmers’ market, where local farmers, craftsmen, and artisans can display and sell their goods to guests and visitors.
In our Omani beach property, we’ve included traditional elements such as an Omani firepit and floor seating with beautiful, colorful cushions. We source artwork and most guest amenities from the local market in all our properties, ensuring that we support local artisans and reflect the region’s cultural heritage.
Food is another vital aspect, rich in untold stories and cultural significance. All our menus are seasonal and infused with local recipes, offering guests an authentic taste of the region. We invite local chefs for cooking workshops. We facilitate direct interaction between guests and locals by hiring local residents to lead hikes, fishing trips, farm visits, and storytelling sessions, thereby sharing their authentic culture with our guests.
Through these initiatives, we ensure that our lodges contribute to the sustainable development of local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and provide our guests with genuine, immersive experiences.
Menia Voevoda: What are your long-term goals for Envi Lodges, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Noelle Homsy: Our organizational structure is designed to facilitate swift expansion, even across multiple continents. We are actively growing our team to effectively execute our current projects. We will continue to be selective in our expansion efforts, focusing on projects that bring substantial value to our portfolio or are situated in locations where we can create a meaningful and positive impact. Our commitment to quality and sustainability will always guide our decisions when considering new properties.
We have announced the opening of ENVI Sisini Serengeti earlier this month, and we have several exciting openings on the horizon. Towards the end of 2024 and in early 2025, you can look forward to experiencing ENVI Al Nakheel in Al Ahsa and ENVI Paje in Zanzibar. Additionally, we plan to unveil two ecolodges in Oman, one in Jabal Akhdar and the other on Al Sifah Beach, set to welcome guests in 2025. ENVI Kili in Arusha is also planned to open by the end of 2025. Keep an eye out for ENVI The Islita in Costa Rica, projected to open in 2026.
Our long-term goal is to become a global brand known for offering guests unique, immersive experiences in remote destinations. We aspire to reach a point where guests seek to book an ENVI Lodge before deciding on their destination.
Menia Voevoda: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a positive impact in the hospitality sector?
Noelle Homsy: To aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a positive impact in the hospitality sector, I offer this advice based on my own journey. First and foremost, recognize that no one achieves greatness alone; there is no shame in seeking help. Speak to as many people as you can, even those you consider competitors. The purpose of creating a positive impact requires as many players as possible.
Secondly, embrace calculated risks. The hospitality industry thrives on innovation, which often requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s pioneering a new service or adopting an unconventional approach, these risks are what propel us forward.
Lastly, shift your focus from big challenges by breaking them down into smaller tasks. It’s easy to internalize barriers, but it’s crucial to recognize that they often appear larger in our minds than in reality. Draw inspiration from the success stories of other professionals, and remember that every small step counts towards making a significant impact.
Bio Noelle Homsy
Imagining she would one day design her own little hotel and retire on a Greek Island, Noelle studied architecture and ended up building an unconventional career. Starting with architectural design and construction project management, she later handled claims, risk management and arbitration cases for real estate projects in the Middle East. A born multitasker, she also earned a Masters in Engineering Management from the American University of Beirut and a certificate in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Harvard University --all the while, Noelle was still looking for a way into the hotel world.
In 2017, Noelle moved to Singapore for her MBA, and travelled all around South East Asia, visiting multiple eco-luxury camps in the region. After graduating from INSEAD, Noelle jumped at the opportunity to enter the hospitality industry, taking on a role in luxury hotel development with a focus on experiential lodging. During that time, she successfully signed 4 lodges in the UAE and moved on to lead the hospitality and tourism practice at Grant Thornton UAE. Her passion for watching hotels come to life combined with her love for responsible tourism finally led her to launch ENVI Lodges.
Co-Founder at ENVI Lodges
4 个月Thank you Menia for the interview. It was my pleasure to share with you ENVI Lodges' evolution and focus on immersive experiences in nature.