By Rama Gaind
The spectacular luxury resort – Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga in Thailand – is more than just a holiday retreat in paradise.
The management is passionate about the environment. It was recently awarded the status of Thailand’s Best Small Green Resort. Natai Beach has also been awarded 5 Stars for cleanliness of the beach and water quality.
Located on the sunset side of the Andaman Sea and the pristine Natai Beach, the resort – just 20 minutes north of the Phuket International Airport – has to be applauded for its commitment to rebuilding damaged reef ecosystems in Phuket’s Phang Nga area.
Displaying further initiative, guests recently had the opportunity of a lifetime to help save indigenous turtles when they released 20 endangered baby leatherbacks into the Andaman Sea.
The event was part of the Aleenta’s Resorts & Spas Mai Khao Marine Turtle Initiative, managed by corporate social responsibility group, Pure Blue Foundation, which also pioneered the ground-breaking reef restoration project off the coast of the resort. The Pure Blue Foundation was created by Aleenta Resorts founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn.
Rewarding experience
These baby turtles have been raised by the resort over the last few years and it has shown its dedication to their cause by monthly support and funding the Turtle Sanctuary, housed at the Khao Lumpee-Haad Thaymuang National Park, just 20 minutes south of the resort.
These funds allow the resort to employ a full-time representative to tend to more than 200 turtle hatchlings and rehabilitate injured turtles, as well as taking guests to visit the park.
The baby turtles have been on the critically endangered list in Thailand since 1996.
“We are a resort built on guilt-free luxury and are delighted to continue this important work – as well as give our guests the opportunity to become involved,” Ms Kijkanakorn said. “It is the type of rewarding experience guests can enjoy when they stay with us.”
Following the turtle release, the resort donated another THB100,000 (A$3,300) to the project and has committed to supporting the foundation in the long-term. Furthermore, on check-in, Aleenta offers guests information on turtle conservation and matches donations made to the Turtle Sanctuary.
The Pure Blue Foundation continues to raise funds – so visit: http://auctions.weblite.ca/purebluefoundation/
Rebuilding reef ecosystems
During a visit to this boutique resort earlier this year, I met with Ms Kijkanakorn and resort management, inspected the sprawling site and realised the importance of their ongoing work to rebuild damaged reef ecosystems in the Phang Nga area.
Co-founded in 2010 by Aleenta Resorts and Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS) group, the innovative foundation is championed by Ms Kijkanakorn, following her proclamation that the natural environment would be safeguarded wherever Aleenta Resorts were located.
The foundation estimates the total cost of rebuilding various reefs will reach THB3 million over three years. Fundraising is on in earnest.
Working collaboratively with Coral Reef Creator (CRC), a Swiss-French company specialising in the development and creation of coral reefs based on artificial structures, an ambitious plan has been created to construct a coral reef park 20 metres offshore from the resort on Natai Beach.
The park is designed to attract schools of fish, crustaceans and shell species, which in turn will enable a new ecosystem to flourish.
Ms Kijkanakorn believes the journey to help protect the reefs is just beginning.
“My goals are to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect and preserve the environment, replenishing where necessary, given that most of the damage to our planet comes from mankind,” she said. “With the funds we have raised we are now in a strong position to start our first artificial reef project and will continue to raise funds via the Pure Blue Foundation until we meet our target.”
Ms Kijkanakorn also pointed out that the loss of the reef system along Thailand’s coastal areas could have a long-term detrimental effect on the nation’s tourism.
It is heartening to realise that the resort’s strong commitment to remaining both environmentally friendly and socially responsible does not detract from their dedication to ensure that holidaymakers have a memorable stay in this bountiful hideaway on one of the world’s most beautiful, natural and exotic beaches.
Rama Gaind was a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
DETAILS BOX
Contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sydney, on (02) 9247 7549 or visit ww.tourismthailand.org
Thai Airways International flies from Australia to Bangkok, connecting with Bangkok Airlines services on national routes. Check www.thaiairways.com/
For details about Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga visit http://www.aleenta.com/
