PHUKET, THAILAND—Guests at the exclusive Aleenta Phuket–Phang Nga resort were given the chance of a lifetime recently to help save indigenous turtles when they released 20 endangered baby leatherback turtles into the Andaman Sea. The event was part of the Aleenta Resorts & Spas Mai Khao Marine Turtle Initiative, managed by corporate social responsibility group, Pure Blue Foundation, which also pioneered the groundbreaking reef restoration project off the coast of the resort. The Pure Blue Foundation was created by Aleenta Resorts founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn.
The resort has raised these particular baby turtles over the last few years and has shown its dedication to their cause by offering monthly support and funding to the Turtle Sanctuary, housed at the Khao Lumpee-Haad Thaymuang National Park just 20 minutes south of the resort. With this funding the resort employs a full-time representative to tend to more than 200 turtle hatchlings and rehabilitate injured turtles, as well as taking guests to visit the park.
The 20 turtles were large enough to leave the nest and the sanctuary. The release of the baby turtles—on the critically endangered list in Thailand list since 1996—is further evidence of the resort’s strong commitment to remaining both environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
“We are a resort built on guilt-free luxury and are delighted to continue this important work—as well as give our guests the opportunity to become involved,” Kijkanakorn said. “It is the type of rewarding experience guests can enjoy when they stay with us.”
Following the turtle release, the resort donated another $3,200 to the project and has committed to supporting the foundation in the long term. Furthermore, on check-in, Aleenta offers guests information on turtle conservation and matches donations of $1.31 per night to the Turtle Sanctuary.
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