CHIANGRAI – Green Globe announces re-certification of the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Rai, in Thailand. For years Anantara’s Chiang Rai Resort has demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment through education, innovation and empowerment. To ensure that corporate social responsibility equates to sustainable tourism, social and ecological responsibility has been integrated into the resorts’ core business operations and management.
Green Globe certified Anantara Golden Triangle Resort&Spa in Chiang Rai, Thailand, is home to Asia’s premier elephant camp and a permanent elephant intelligence research program. The Golden Triangle Elephant Researcher Experience has been created so that “ele-enthusiasts” can study elephant behavior and problem solving with the camp’s onsite scientific experts. This unique destination package involves real scientific studies in a richly educational and hands-on program, where guests interact with Thailand’s gentle giants in their natural environment.
“Both our daily hotel operations and unique guest experiences highlight our stringent efforts to protect, preserve and enhance local nature, culture and community,” said Christian Zunk, General Manager at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa. “We are delighted to have been recognized by Green Globe for the second year running and it is our goal to increase our level of heartfelt responsibility even further in the future. We are actively engaged in our adherence to Green Globe standards in the long term, which requires action from our directors, shareholders, management team, associates, guests and partners on a continuous basis.”
A long-term sustainability management system is in effect at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, and the property has implemented strict policies for water and energy conservation. The resort has initiated programs to reduce all waste, both consumable and non-consumable. Packaging is eliminated where possible, and local suppliers focusing on products that are durable and recyclable are given preference. Guests are invited to join local social awareness programs offered by the hotel, and indigenous culture is integrated into everyday experiences. A dedicated Green Team motivates and educates staff members to making their own individual contribution to towards protecting their planet.
This one-of-a-kind experience offers opportunities to work side-by-side with the camp’s resident, native English-speaking elephant research staff, collaborating with Think Elephants International and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. The research program focuses on conservation through education, how elephants see their natural world, and how they navigate. After the initial training session, guests work closely with the research team as they run the study, which may include a test of an elephant’s sense of smell, propensity for problem-solving, or tendency to cooperate. Presentations on topics such as elephant intelligence, behavior, conservation, and management complete the Golden Triangle Elephant Researcher Experience. Guests learn why knowledge of elephant behavior and cognition is vital for the conservation of the species, and they get the opportunity to assist the resident elephant veterinarians as they perform a full examination, which may include a few surprises!
For every package of 4 nights or more, Anantara will donate THB 40,000 to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation to help sustainable elephant projects throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. To find out more about the GTAEF, please visit www.helpingelephants.org . To find out more about the elephant research projects included in this special package, please visit www.thinkelephants.org .
Rates start from THB 41,420 per room, per night for a Deluxe Three Country View room, for a minimum 4-night stay. Due to the unique nature of this program, the Golden Triangle Elephant Researcher Experience is available on the following dates: April 1–5; May 2–6; June 19-23; July 27-31; August 14-18; September 12–16; October 17–21; November 4–8; November 18–22; November 30–December 4; December 18– 22. For more information and reservations, please contact Tel +66 5378 4084 or e-mail [email protected] .
Green Globe Certification’s CEO, Guido Bauer, said, “We are extremely pleased to award re-certification to the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Thailand. The Golden Triangle is one region in particular open to harm – not only from human intervention – but also from natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, which can cause immense devastation in the region. I am very impressed with Anantara’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, and their innovative approach to technical and practical measures that contribute to the preservation of the fragile local eco-system.”
About Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa
Situated in northern Thailand’s lush jungle at the heart of the legendary Golden Triangle, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa is a natural retreat spread over 160 acres of bamboo forest, rice paddy fields and indigenous Bill Bensley designed grounds. Perched on a hilltop and designed in royal Thai Lanna style, all rooms and suites overlook the hills of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, as well as the Mekong and Ruak rivers. Unique destination experiences include unforgettable adventures at the onsite Elephant Camp, Lanna cooking lessons, locally inspired healing spa rituals and Golden Triangle discovery tours.
For hundreds of years throughout Thailand, people would leave a jar of water outside their house to provide refreshment and extend a welcome to the passing traveler. Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means “without end,” symbolizing this sharing of water and the heartfelt hospitality that lies at the core of every Anantara experience.
Media Contact: Mark Alan Thomson, Assistant Director of Public Relations, Anantara Group Public Relations, Tel +66 (0) 2 365 7687, E-mail [email protected] , www.anantara.com
ABOUT GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION
Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe Certification is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, supported by the United Nations Foundation. For information, visit www.greenglobe.com
MEDIA CONTACT: Green Globe Certification, Phone: +1-310-337-3000, Fax: +1-310-626-9982, Email: [email protected] , Web: www.greenglobe.com
