Phuket Index
28 September, 2013
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Marriott International have launched a partnership to protect the environment and support Thailand’s local communities through mangrove restoration, the use of sustainable seafood sources and local procurement practices in Bang Krachao and areas in the South potentially to include Mai Khao, Tai Muang and Khao Lak. The two organisations recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding and opened a “Mangrove Education Garden” at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, followed by a planting of 100 mangroves by Marriott associates at Bang Krachao, often described as “the lung of Bangkok”.
The partnership will take an integrated approach, targeting three main initiatives. Marriott will help raise funds and awareness among its guests for the activities of the IUCN Thailand Programme to support local communities in mangrove restoration. Marriott and IUCN will work together to identify opportunities for creating small businesses in local communities for the production of sustainable souvenirs and gifts for guests at its hotels in Thailand. IUCN will help Marriott International in locating sources of sustainable seafood for its hotels.