S Hotels and Resorts PCL, the global hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL, has joined forces with the Environmental Education Centre (EEC) Thailand to host an important event aimed at raising awareness about the major environmental issues facing Thailand.
Hosted at SAii Phi Phi Island Village, the free-spirited five-star resort nestled amid lush jungle on Koh Phi Phi Don, the “SeaYouTomorrow” camp was an immersive three-day gathering that saw senior executives come together with environmental experts, local children and members of the media to witness first-hand the impact of climate change and human activity on communities in southern Thailand, and take steps to combat it.
CSR and conservation is a core element of S Hotels & Resorts’ sustainable business strategy. By joining forces with EEC Thailand, the company’s management team was able to understand the most pressing ecological issues and see how they can weave practical solutions into their day-to-day operations. By inviting local children on Phi Phi Island, the companies also aimed to engage the educate, inspire and upskill the next generation of conservationists.
The list of top-level guests at the camp was headed by Stefano A. Ruzza, Senior Vice President of Operations at S Hotels & Resorts, Alexander Simon Rendell, CEO of EEC Thailand and the UN Environment Programme’s first National Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand.
Led by EEC Thailand, the camp highlighted the critical environmental issues impacting in the area, including climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprints and threats to biodiversity, to fully understand how these create the overall climate crisis. Attendees were also given the chance to tour the Marine Discovery Centre, SAii Phi Phi Island Village’s dedicated eco-hub which houses indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, video rooms and aquariums, presenting a fascinating window into the underwater world. Guests learned about the centre’s key projects such as coral propagation, mangrove planting, and breeding and release programmes for native fauna. The resort’s resident marine biologist also shared the latest updates from the “SOS” (Save Our Sharks) project, which saw S Hotels & Resorts work hand-in-hand with experts from the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) to breed, care for and release bamboo sharks. This marked the first time the PMBC has worked directly with a hospitality company.
During their three-day stay, the group was invited to embark on a series of engaging experiences, eco excursions, educational talks and hands-on activities. By visiting a village in Loh Lana Bay, the team learned how the resort supports local community by providing employment, engaging in responsible business and conducting regular beach cleaning activities. Offshore excursions also allowed delegates to see how the pristine ecosystems of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park need to be protected from threats such as climate change and over-tourism.
“The SeaYouTomorrow camp is a wonderful example of how we are integrating environmental integrity into every aspect of our business. At S Hotels & Resorts, conservation and community interaction are at the heart of everything we do. We care for guests, for nature and for one another. We share our knowledge of responsible travel and environmental preservation. We strive to ensure that every moment is memorable. In line with this ethos, we are proud to partner with EEC Thailand. Together, we can have a unique opportunity to create hands-on activities and camps that make a real difference to people’s lives and positively impact the future of Thailand. We look forward to collaborating on more initiatives in future,” said Stefano A. Ruzza, Senior Vice President of Operations, S Hotels & Resorts.
“I’m very happy to join with Singha Estate in organising this event. This event focused on providing in-depth knowledge of nature conservation in a fun way. We have learned about conservation from the forest and the sea, which are like natural classrooms and make the environment more meaningful to everyone. Now, we need to care for, cherish and appreciate the value of the sea and the forest to help reduce global warming. We organised the activity at SAii Phi Phi Island Village because it has the perfect geography for learning; there are beaches, mangrove and forests to study. It is wonderful to see how the resort is caring for and focusing on the environment,” commented Alexander Simon Rendell, CEO of EEC HQ.
The SeaYouTomorrow camp marks another example of the pledge by S Hotels & Resorts and Singha Estate to operate in harmony with nature. This ethos is guided by the companies’ support for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG13 “Climate Action” and SDG14, “Life Below Water”, which focuses on protecting the world’s climate, oceans, seas and rivers.
For more information about S Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.shotelsresorts.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.
