YAO NOI, Thailand – October 15, 2020 – Six Senses Yao Noi was recently awarded the HICAP 2020 Sustainable Hotel Awards in the Positive Community Impact (Property) category for its Clean Water Project. Since its inception in 2014, the program has improved the lives of 102,976 community members through its activation in more than 32 locations to provide access to clean drinking water.
Initially launched in Cambodia, the Clean Water Project later expanded locally to Thailand in 2016 through partnerships with NGOs like Geo Life, Imagine Thailand and local community groups. The program has also continued to focus its efforts on removing the need for importing plastic water bottles onto Koh Yao Noi island. At present, there are 15 filtration and dispensing units installed in schools, hospitals, community halls and places of worship on the island.
Water consumption remains a concern despite high annual rainfall as shortages take place during the dry season. At Six Senses Yao Noi, the water used within the resort and host compound comes from the resort’s reservoir, making it self-sufficient. Drinking water is filtered and bottled in reusable glass bottles onsite, eliminating imports of drinking water and up to 101,000 plastic water bottles per year by the resort directly.
“We’re honored to be recognized by HICAP for this award. Six Senses Yao Noi has been producing drinking water on-site since the resort opened 13 years ago, mainly to be more environmentally conscious and to create public awareness of “food-miles”. The provision of drinking water filtration is strategically aligned with brand-wide policy that all Six Senses drinking water must be bottled in refillable glass bottles,” said General Manager, Graham Grant.
By investing in in-house expertise in water filtration, the resort is able to send its engineering team for equipment installation at designated Clean Water Project locations, and at the same time build stronger bonds with the community.
While Six Senses Yao Noi provides its own drinking water, the Clean Water Project is also part of a larger strategy to reduce dependence on disposable plastic bottles and raise awareness in the local communities. This includes talking to local community leaders about the importance of adopting these systems for the benefit of all. Reusable water bottles are also distributed amongst the community.
Community engagement activities have also extended to a new initiative, Trash Hero Koh Yao Noi, the local island chapter of Trash Hero Global. This brings the local community together for weekly beach clean ups, collecting 12.6 tons of waste in 2019. The importance of eliminating single-use plastics can be seen first hand through the amount of trash collected each week.
“We encourage people to refill their reusable water bottles at no cost, instead of purchasing bottled water from stores. This leads to a significant decrease in the number of single-use plastic entering the island, as well the associated cost. In line with this purpose, we have to date supplied 1,200 reusable water bottles to children on the island,” said Grant.
Aside from the Clean Water Project, Six Senses Yao Noi has also invested in medical facilities, education, permaculture and environmental projects, including mangroves and Hornbill conservation efforts.
About Six Senses Yao Noi
Six Senses Yao Noi sets the highest benchmark for island resort living in Asia. Located beyond Phuket in charming Phang Nga Bay, there is a sense of adventure. Natural vegetation and lush landscaping provide privacy between the 56 elevated Pool Villas, which offer generous personal space, a variety of views and present an uncompromised lifestyle. Natural materials used in the modern architecture, together with attention to detail and focus on the unique destination reinforce the Six Senses philosophy of sustainability and creating exceptional experiences.
About Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas manages 15 hotels and resorts and 28 spas in 20 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas, and has signed a further 27 properties into the development pipeline. Six Senses is part of the IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) family.
Six Senses Hotels and Resorts: a leadership commitment to community, sustainability, emotional hospitality, wellness and design, infused with a touch of quirkiness. Whether an exquisite island resort, mountain retreat or urban hotel, the vision remains the same: to reawaken people’s senses so they feel the purpose behind their travels and ultimately reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them.
Six Senses Spas: a wide range of holistic wellness, rejuvenation and beauty treatments administered under the guidance of expert therapists in all resorts as well as at 14 additional standalone spas. The high-tech and high-touch approach guides guests on their personal path to well-being, taking them as deep as they want to go.
Six Senses Residences: indulgent living as nature intended, providing all the unique amenities of a resort life community, while retaining the intimacy and personal touches of a beautifully-appointed private villa or apartment. Each is an appreciating long-term investment to be cherished for generations to come with immediate benefits including fine dining, pioneering wellness programming and exclusive status at other resorts worldwide.
Evason: sharing the Six Senses philosophy of uncompromised social and environmental responsibility. Its two unique resorts provide a strong value focus, while offering a vast array of personal guest experiences that the whole family will love.
*As of June 2020
For further information, please contact:
Nicolette Ng
Marketing Communications Manager
Six Senses Yao Noi
T +66 7641 8500
M +66 8 1797 2241
E [email protected]
Benjawan Sudhikam (Ms.)
Director of Public Relations
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
T +66 2 631 9781
M +66 8 181 38234
E [email protected]
