WORLDWIDE: Anantara Hotels and Resorts is expanding its ‘Dollar for Deeds’ programme – which encourages guests to donate one dollar per night of their stay to worthy causes.
The Minor Hotels-owned luxury brand first launched the CSR initiative around a decade ago at selected properties in Anantara’s home country of Thailand. Guests can opt in to the programme at check-in, with Minor Hotels matching contributions.
In Thailand funds are split equally between three causes – The Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Centre at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok; The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation; and The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation.
‘Dollar for Deeds’ is gradually being rolled out to Anantara properties in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mozambique, Zambia, Indonesia and China – a list of the supported projects can be seen below.
The group said it would also roll out the programme to its recently launched European hotels in the first quarter of next year, including The Marker Dublin Hotel, Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, New York Palace Budapest Hotel, and Convento di Amalfi Hotel.
This summer the Global Hotel Alliance added more than 100 Minor Hotels properties – including 31 Anantara hotels – to its sustainability-focused GHA Green Collection.
Commenting on the news John Roberts, group director of sustainability and conservation for Minor Hotels, said:
“Sustainability has long been a key pillar of our operating philosophy and, increasingly, it is not only a global need but also a requirement from both our investors and guests.
“By making ‘Dollar for Deeds’ accessible globally, we can support more worthy causes around the world while encouraging individual sustainability journeys and changing the definition of purposeful travel in our neighbouring communities and ecosystems.
“For the expansion I am particularly proud of the way our properties outside Thailand have embraced the spirit of the programme and chosen amazing local causes to support.”
Properties participating in Anantara’s ‘Dollar for Deeds’ programme, and their associated projects:
Thailand, all properties
- The Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Centre
- The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation
- The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation
Sri Lanka, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
- Turtle beach protection with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Sri Lanka, Anantara Kalutara Resort
Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe
Cambodia, Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa
- Gibbon, peacock, otter releases with the Wildlife Alliance “Rewild Angkor”
The Maldives, all properties
- Holistic coral reef protection projects
Oman, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
- Vulture nest monitoring and raptor protection with the Environmental Society of Oman
- Capture, treatment and release of stray dogs and cats
Oman, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
- Gulf humpback and Bryde’s whale monitoring with the Environmental Society of Oman
Malaysia, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
- Reforestation, wildlife monitoring and protection with the Rewild Desaru Project
Vietnam, all properties
- Kianh Foundation – providing care & vocational training for disabled children
Mozambique, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort
- Supporting fishing communities through infrastructure development and food donations
Zambia, Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara
- Supporting local farmers through developing products and markets while cutting out the middlemen.
Indonesia (Bali), All Properties
- Annika Linden Centre providing care for disabled kids.
China, Xishuangbanna
- Good to Nature scientific reforestation of Yunnan’s rainforest ecosystem.
Image supplied by Anantara Hotels and Resorts.