Faasai Resort and Spa, an eco resort in Chanthaburi on the Southeast Coast of Thailand, has been long-listed for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009.The Responsible Tourism Awards, which began in 2004, are the most prestigious of their kind in the world. This year the Awards have attracted nominations for a record number of almost 600 tourism organisations, destinations and individuals. Faasai Resort and Spa is long-listed in the Best Small Accommodation Category, a hotel with fewer than 50 rooms that is run with the environment and needs of local people in mind.
Faasai Resort offers nature based tourism including exploration of the unique coastal and forest ecosystem of Kung Wiman, a small fishing village surrounded by orchards, shrimp farms and rubber plantations. The owners, a Thai-New Zealand couple, Bronwen Evans and Surin Laopha, have planted more than 2500 trees including timber trees such as rosewood and ebony, aquilaria used for the production of krissana oil and Thai healing herbs. The trees and plants provide unique ingredients which are used in the resort’s restaurant and spa. Faasai is also establishing a spice garden with trees which are indigenous to Chanthaburi and which were part of the ancient spice trade such as cloves and cinnamon.
In order to preserve habitat for local fauna and flora, Faasai is restoring a fresh water lake and wetlands. Originally called White Water Lake, the small lake was the namesake of the local village and teeming with fish but it was dug over and used for shrimp and rice farming. They dug out the lake and stabilised the banks with vetiver grass, which also protects the quality of the water. Around the rim they made a walkway bordered by trees, bamboo and lemongrass. The lake is now home to dozens of species of fresh water fish and frogs and attracts more than 50 species of migratory birds, waterfowl and forest birds.
To mitigate global warming Faasai Resort uses solar power to heat hot water, has carefully constructed buildings to conserve energy and uses energy efficient appliances and lighting.
The central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. The Awards recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.
The 2009 Responsible Tourism Award winners will be announced on Wednesday 11 November.
For more information please see www.responsibletourism.com or www.faasai.com
You can contact the co-owner Bronwen Evans at bronwenannevans@gmail.com or phone +66868892595
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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