Gaya was released back to the ocean on Sept 25. — Gaya Island Resort
World Tourism Day is celebrated on Sept 27 every year. This year’s theme, “Tourism And Green Investments”, focuses on the need to align tourism objectives with climate initiatives. It also highlights the need for more investments that are better-targeted, for the future and further development of the tourism industry.
The good news is that most of today’s modern travellers are on board with the sustainability initiatives put forward by the travel and hospitality sectors, with some even making it a priority when booking or planning holidays. Destinations therefore need to come up with innovative sustainable tourism programmes and experiences not just to attract more travellers, but to ensure the continued availability of resources for years to come.
In Malaysia, most hotels and resorts are on the right track when it comes to sustainability initiatives. Some of these include using locally-source ingredients and products, partnering with local communities in enrichment programmes for guests, and creating meaningful nature-based projects like planting trees and cleaning up beaches.
For Gaya Island Resort near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, its initiatives mainly focus on the conservation of marine life. The YTL luxury resort has a marine centre, which, according to its website, “advocates three conservation pillars: turtle rescue, coral reef restoration and conservation through education”.
The Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre was established in October 2013 and has played a key role in the conservation and rejuvenation of marine life in the area – which is part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – as well as rescuing, treating and rehabilitating injured sea turtles, and other marine creatures.
The centre, led by resident marine biologist Scott Mayback, has four coral reef display tanks for educational purposes, and a recovery tank, in which sick or injured turtles are placed, before they are released back in to the ocean after successful rehabilitation.
Recently, the centre released Gaya, a Green Turtle, back to the sea after undergoing treatment for three-and-a-half months. Gaya was brought to the centre on June 7 after being spotted by a local fisherman near the resort. It suffered severe dehydration and malnutrition, as it had been badly injured.
Once it was thoroughly examined, Gaya was immediately placed under a treatment plan by Mayback and his team. The turtle was given a series of antibiotics and saline drips for 30 days together with other supplementary vitamins, and had a dietary programme.
Soon, the team noticed positive changes to Gaya’s well being, including a steady increase in body mass due to improving appetite.
Once it reached its ideal weight of 6.5kg, Gaya was deemed fit to be released back into its natural habitat. Before that, Gaya was tagged with a metal International Fisheries tag, an identification tag that allows it to be recognised if found anywhere in the world.
On Sept 25, Gaya was released on the beach of Maloham Bay in front of Gaya Island Resort, with more than 50 guests cheering it on as it slowly made its way back to the sea.
Gaya is the marine centre’s 28th rescued turtle.
In a statement, Mayback said, “It was an honour to be able to yet once again, nurture a compromised Green Turtle back to health, which is Gaya Island Resort’s small but impactful contribution back to the local environment. We hope that sharing this experience with our guests will broaden their appreciation and understanding of the need for conservation efforts for a sustainable future.”
Apart from the marine centre, there is also the Gaya Island Resort Wildlife Centre, helmed by its director of conservation, Justin Juhun. The property has several eco-friendly initiatives in place that range from conservation through education, to rescue programmes.
Gaya is the marine centre’s 28th rescued turtle. — Gaya Island Resort
Value for money
Global hospitality brand Anantara Hotels and Resorts is rolling out its CSR programme “Dollar For Deeds” at all its properties worldwide. The programme encourages travellers and guests to give back to the local community by donating to a range of worthy causes that champion sustainability and conservation works.
Guests who choose to be part of this programme can donate one dollar per night of their stay, with Minor Hotels (Anantara’s parent company) matching their contribution. In Malaysia – via Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas in Johor – the donations will be channelled to the Rewild Desaru Project for reforestation, wildlife monitoring and protecting efforts.
In Thailand, funds raised are dispersed equally between three chosen and vetted causes: Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Centre at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok to provide comprehensive care for children with craniofacial abnormalities; Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation that looks after turtles that nest in Phuket including the critically endangered Giant Leatherback; and The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation where rescued street elephants enjoy a peaceful life in northern Thailand, and wild elephants and their habitat are protected.
The Dollar For Deeds programme in Zambia supports the Nsongwe Women’s Association, which helps local farmers develop and market their products while cutting out the middlemen. — Handout
Other projects around the world include holistic coral reef protection in the Maldives; gibbon, peacock and otter releases in Cambodia; providing care and vocational training for disabled children in Vietnam and Indonesia; and supporting local farmers in Zambia.
In separate news, a book called Wonders Of Kihavah was launched recently by the luxury resort, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, showcasing the beauty and rich biodiversity of the island’s house reef.
The book is based on research led by Dr Selina Ward, director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, alongside fish and coral experts, Dr Storm Martin and Dr Hannah Markham.
In the book, the trio highlighted the delicate equilibrium of the reef at Kihavah, and the urgent need for marine conservation efforts.
In a press release, Ward said, “In the period until emissions reductions become effective, we can work towards enhancing reef resilience, improving water quality, addressing land use impacts, removing threats such as overfishing and destructive fishing practices, and engaging in innovative restoration techniques for priority areas ...
“There are many innovative restoration techniques now that require the use of very small volumes of existing corals and targeted use of reared coral larvae.”
Among the study’s fascinating findings is the recording of 300 fish species on the resort’s house reef, making it a wonderful place for snorkelling. The study also includes a comprehensive fish index, indicating the areas around the island where specific species are found.
You can download a digital version of the book on the resort’s website, while physical copies are available in the villas. Guests can also buy the book, of which part of the proceeds will be allocated to the Dollar For Deeds programme.
Some of the animals living in the Bamboo Forest. — Avana Retreat
Animal sanctuary
A resort retreat in Mai Chau valley, Hoa Binh, Vietnam has recently introduced a sanctuary for animals within its property grounds. Avana Retreat now has a Bamboo Forest, featuring a stone-lined stream, towering bamboo, lush grass, and a mix of animals living harmoniously within the space.
“The Bamboo Forest is one of the most promising projects to contribute to our vision of sustainability,” said Vu Huy, founder of Avana Retreat, in a press statement. “Making use of our abundant land, we are encouraging biodiversity, a healthy ecosystem, and positive conservation practices.”
The retreat worked with a specialist to integrate the animals, which include deer, goats, rabbits, pigs, chickens, ducks and peacocks. Guests are invited to visit the animals, and try hands-on experiences in order to learn about animal welfare, and be more aware of the environment, especially wildlife.
Huy said that Avana has its own “animal whisperer”, too. “He’s here first, leaves last, and has already built a strong connection with the animals – feeding them, communicating with them, learning their names, and showing them how to be around humans,” he said in the release.
Although the animals are free to roam within the Bamboo Forest during the day, at night, they are herded into their own shelters not just for a comfortable night’s sleep, but safety too.
The Bamboo Forest is one of many long-term eco-projects at the property. The resort also has an ongoing tree planting project, of which more than 10,000 have been planted so far.
Apart from that, other projects include are cultural initiatives to maintain ethnic minority traditions, organic farming, trash collecting partnerships with youth groups, and a “no-plastic policy” with water being purified and bottled on site for guests.
