The Brando Joins National Geographic Society Unique Lodges of the World

TETIAROA, French Polynesia, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brando today announced it is a founding member of National Geographic Society's newest foray in world-class travel experiences: National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, a collection of boutique hotels in extraordinary places around the world with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, authenticity and excellence. The Brando is a unique, luxury resort on French Polynesia's private atoll of Tetiaroa, and is a pioneering model of sustainable technology, with sea water air-conditioning and renewable energies, whose mission is to preserve Tetiaroa's natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural richness.

Selected through a rigorous evaluation process, each lodge offers an outstanding guest experience while supporting the protection of cultural and natural heritage and embracing sustainable tourism practices. The initial collection — numbering 24 properties on six continents — further builds National Geographic's travel portfolio, which includes National Geographic Expeditions, Traveler magazine, travel books, photography courses and the @NatGeoTravel digital and photography community.

"We are proud to work with National Geographic and be a founding member of Unique Lodges of the World," said Richard Bailey, Chairman and CEO of Pacific Beachcomber, owner of The Brando. "Sustainable development and tourism is core to our mission and guides everything we do.  The Brando provides our guests a luxurious, authentic, and enriching travel experience, in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable and culturally rich manner."

As part of a comprehensive vetting process, every lodge in the collection was judged on the following criteria:

• The Property — The design and character are unique and authentic and the property provides guests with a true sense of place by celebrating the surrounding landscape and cultural heritage.

• Guest Experience and Quality of Service — Guests are offered top-quality service and exceptional and inspiring experiences — from activities that enable them to engage with local people to wildlife encounters with seasoned naturalists.

• Sustainable Tourism Best Practices — The property demonstrates a commitment to conservation and green operations; it actively supports the protection of cultural heritage; and it provides tangible benefits to local communities.

National Geographic deployed experts to each site to evaluate operations, meet staff at all levels, scrutinize the lodge's impact on the local environment and community and ensure that these criteria were met.

"By creating this carefully curated group of hotels, lodges and retreats that meet internationally recognized sustainable tourism criteria while providing top-notch guest experiences, National Geographic opens a new chapter in the power of travel to protect our planet," said Costas Christ, a world-renowned sustainable tourism expert and editor at large for National Geographic Traveler magazine, who coordinated an international team to inspect each of the lodges. "Travelers can feel confident when they stay in one of these lodges that they are helping to safeguard cultural and natural treasures in some of the world's most incredible places."

The Brando is proud to offer guests who book their stay through National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World a special "National Geographic Exclusive" experience, which includes stepping behind the scenes on a private, guided visit of Tetiaroa's Ecostation. Then, guests can enjoy a meal or go on a walk with one of the center's researchers to get an insider's perspective on ongoing projects such as introducing sustainable fishing initiatives and protecting green sea turtle populations.

"The National Geographic brand is universally recognized for its commitment to exploring and protecting the planet, so we are uniquely positioned to unite and promote these exceptional properties and to set a new standard for tourism," said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic's executive vice president for Travel. "These lodges share the Society's vision of preserving the planet for future generations and they demonstrate that sustainability and a world-class guest experience can go hand-in-hand."

National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World charter members are:

• Fogo Island Inn, Canada
• Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
• Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Peru
• Kapari Natural Resort, Greece
• Kasbah du Toubkal, Morocco
• Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, Costa Rica
• Lizard Island, Australia
• Longitude 131°, Australia
• Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador
• Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, Canada
• Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
• Rosalie Bay Resort, Dominica
• Rubondo Island Camp, Tanzania
• Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, South Africa
• Sayari Camp, Tanzania
• Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia
• Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Malaysian Borneo
• The Brando, French Polynesia
• The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana, United States
• Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia
• Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, Chile
• Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Chile
• Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa
• Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Bhutan

For more information about National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, visit www.nationalgeographiclodges.com.

About National Geographic Travel
National Geographic Travel is the travel arm of the National Geographic Society, one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, founded in 1888. National Geographic Travel creates authentic, meaningful and engaging travel experiences through National Geographic Traveler magazine; National Geographic Expeditions; National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World; travel books; maps; digital travel content; and travel photography programs. National Geographic Traveler (eight issues per year) is the world's most widely read travel magazine and has 17 international editions. National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the Society, offers a variety of unique travel experiences led by top experts to more than 60 destinations across all seven continents. Travel opportunities include family and student expeditions, active adventures, private jet trips and voyages on the six expedition ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet, as well as photography workshops, expeditions and seminars. The National Geographic Travel digital group, shares its inspiring and authoritative digital content such as trip ideas, photo galleries, blogs and apps with its @NatGeoTravel community of 6.5 million. National Geographic Travel books bring readers curated travel advice, photography and insider tips. Follow National Geographic Travel @NatGeoTravel on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram and Google+.

About The Brando
The Brando is an exquisite luxury resort on French Polynesia's breathtakingly beautiful private atoll of Tetiaroa—an atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles north of Tahiti. The Brando was inspired by Marlon Brando's original vision to create a venture of sustainable development that resonates with visitors and fosters opportunities to get to know both the place and people of French Polynesia.  With access by Air Tetiaroa, the resort offers carefree luxury in the midst of pristine nature. The all-inclusive resort features 35 deluxe villas each with its own private beach area and plunge pool, restaurants showcasing Polynesian and French cuisine, a luxurious Polynesian spa, a lagoon-view bar, beach bar, pool, organic garden, library, pearl shop, boutique, water sports, and an Ecostation. The Brando is a pioneering model of sustainable technology with sea water air-conditioning and renewable energies.

CONTACT: Vanessa Bloy, The Brando
425-440-6255 | [email protected]

SOURCE The Brando

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