The Brando Is A Finalist In The National Geographic World Legacy Awards

TETIAROA, French Polynesia, Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brando, a unique environmentally-friendly luxury resort on French Polynesia's beautiful atoll of Tetiaroa, 30 miles north of Tahiti, is a finalist in the Earth Changers category of the inaugural National Geographic World Legacy Awards that were announced at ITB Asia in Singapore on October 29, 2014.

The World Legacy Awards, a partnership between National Geographic Society and ITB Berlin, showcase the leading travel and tourism companies, organizations and destinations—ranging from historic monuments to ecolodges and from small islands to entire countries—that are driving the sustainable tourism transformation of the travel industry based on National Geographic's work of inspiring people to care about the planet.

The Brando is a finalist in the Earth Changers category which recognizes cutting-edge leadership in environmentally friendly business practices and green technology, from renewable energy and water conservation to zero-waste systems and carbon-emission reduction.

"We are honored to be a finalist in the National Geographic World Legacy Awards," 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 a luxurious, authentic, and enriching travel experience, in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable and culturally rich manner."

More than 150 World Legacy Awards entries were received, representing 56 countries and six continents. Finalists in five award categories were selected by an international team of 18 judges who are experts in sustainable travel and who are now conducting on-site inspections of the finalists. Winners will be announced at a gala at the World Legacy Awards Ceremony in March 2015 at ITB Berlin.

Costas Christ, Chairman of National Geographic World Legacy Awards, said, "Sustainable tourism is evolving from a niche trend to a true global transformation of how the travel and tourism industry operates and what impacts it has on the people and places that travelers visit. The World Legacy Awards are about celebrating that transformation, pushing it to the cutting edge of leadership today, as represented by these 15 finalists and others around the world who share their passion for doing well by doing good."

The Brando is a pioneering model of sustainable technology utilizing seawater air-conditioning, green technology and renewable energies, without any sacrifice to luxury or comfort. Designed to reflect Polynesian lifestyles and culture, the all-inclusive resort 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. He was passionate about preserving Tetiaroa's natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural richness and was determined to find a way in which it could be a center for research and education and a model of sustainability.

In 1999, Brando asked Bailey, a long-time resident of Tahiti who shared his passion for the environment and who had created some of the region's finest resorts, to help him conceive a plan that would help him achieve his dream. Together, Brando and Bailey pursued a vision of creating the world's first and foremost post-carbon resort—an island where innovative new technologies would enable a self-sustaining luxury environment for resort guests, residents and scientific research. The Brando is the legacy of that shared vision and the resort is committed to protecting the precious biodiversity of Tetiaroa.

For additional information on The Brando, please visit www.thebrando.com.  A press kit and images are available in The Brando's media center at www.thebrando.com/media.

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.

About Pacific Beachcomber
With more than 25 years experience in the French Polynesian tourism market, 678 hotel rooms and 210 cabins, Pacific Beachcomber, S.C. is the country's largest luxury hotel and cruise operator.  In addition to The Brando, Pacific Beachcomber operates seven award-winning resorts: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa, the Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora, the Maitai Rangiroa, and the Maitai Lapita Huahine (www.tahitiresorts.intercontinental.com and www.hotelmaitai.com). Pacific Beachcomber also operates the luxury small-ship cruise line, Paul Gauguin Cruises, which includes the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, and the 88-guest m/v Tere Moana.

U.S. Media Contact:
Vanessa Bloy |The Brando|425-440-6255 | [email protected]

SOURCE The Brando

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