Pioneer in transformative wellness and sustainability in travel Chiva-Som marked International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2023 across Asia, with mangrove planting, fund and awareness raising.
The brand’s two properties, both the flagship in Thailand Chiva-Som Hua Hin and Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar, honoured the International Day for the Conservations of the Mangrove Ecosystem with simultaneous activities to support this important occasion.
Every year on 26th July, the world celebrates International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The day was designated by UNESCO in 2015 to raise awareness about the uniqueness and vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems, and to promote solutions for their conservation, sustainable management and use.
Mangroves play a vital role in protecting the coastal ecosystems they inhabit. They serve as a physical barrier to erosion and flooding; filter water, thereby improving its quality; and provide shelter to a diverse array of marine life. In the past half century, however, they have diminished rapidly worldwide due to coastal development and altered land use.
Since its beginning, the Chiva-Som brand has envisioned that ‘wellness must go hand in hand with sustainability’. Throughout its nearly three decades of existence, its commitment and contribution to sustainability efforts have gone from strength to strength, infusing not only the guest journey at its resorts, but also its daily operations and outreach to local communities.
Chiva-Som Hua Hin, the flagship in Thailand, marked International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem by expanding on its long-time conservation project. Led by Krip Rojanastien, Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som and Chairman of the Preserve Hua Hin group, a team of employees, guests, supporters and local students planted mangrove saplings at Hua Hin’s only mangrove ecosystem, Krailart Niwate. They were joined by Friends of Chiva-Som Suquan Bulakul, a Thai celebrity and wellness aficionado, and Michelin-starred Chef Dan Bark. Since 2013, Chiva-Som has planted over 11,000 mangrove trees at Krailart Niwate Mangrove Preservation Project. A 1,000-metre elevated boardwalk allows guests and locals alike to enjoy the reserve and surround themselves with the healing of nature.
The day’s activities continued with a fundraising gala at the resort, with an exquisite four-hand dinner by Chiva-Som Executive Chef Sinchai Srivipa and Chef Dan Bark, the owner of Cadence in Bangkok, presented at the resort’s Taste of Siam restaurant. An enjoyable time was had by all, with all profits from the evening after expense going to the Krailart Niwate project.
In Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som hosted an active engagement and awareness session about mangroves for its employees. This was followed by a clean-up to remove algae from the nearby mangroves so that they could continue to thrive. Team members collected approximately 100 kg of algae and also planted more than 80 new mangrove saplings.
