Green Lodging News has reported on the efforts of Outrigger Resorts & Hotels many times. The Outrigger ZONE conservation initiative serves to provide enriching experiences for guests, hosts and local communities; as well as to ensure that properties actively do their part to protect our oceans and help them to thrive for generations to come.
This month is World Ocean Month and Outrigger Resorts & Hotels has pledged to continue making a difference at its premier beach resorts worldwide. Activities connected to ocean health and conservation are taking place at each Outrigger resort. Each event is geared to empower, educate and inspire guests and hosts to care for our oceans. A sample of Outrigger’s World Ocean Month activities includes:
Thailand
Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort, in association with Mangrove Resources Conservation Centre and the local community, is planting 2,000 mangrove trees and collect trash on the shore where the mangrove trees are being planted. Mangrove trees reduce shoreline erosion, protect coastal communities against flooding and are a spawning habitat for a wide variety of marine life.
Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort joined Trash Heroes in a community beach cleanup and joined Baan Tai Crab Bank in releasing baby crabs into the ocean. Those participating were educated on the lifespan of crabs, the importance of habitat and responsible fishing practices.
Outrigger Surin Beach Resort joined Phuket Mangrove Resources Conservation Centre and the local community in planting 2,000 mangrove trees in addition to releasing fish and prawns to the sea for the conservation of a sustainable mangrove forest.
Maldives
Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort had a coral planting, a whale shark and manta excursion, arts and crafts using plastic from the ocean, a school visit to bring awareness to ocean conservation, an evening documentary introduced by the resort’s marine biologist, plus activities and a data identification session on whale sharks and manta rays.
Fiji
Castaway Island, Fiji Resort held an environmentally themed race in addition to planting coral, making fish houses (a natural habitat for marine life), cleaning up underwater and planting coastal fruiting trees that provide fruit, shade and protection.
Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort had a beach and roadside cleanup, realigned and cleaned coral tables, and removed Crown of Thorns starfish, which damage coral reefs and are one of the major causes of coral decline. Coral was also planted, and fish houses were made and sunk.
Maui
Aina Nalu Lahaina by Outrigger and Kaanapali Maui at the Eldorado by Outrigger participated in beach cleanups and Outrigger Honua Kai Resort & Spa cared for its adopted highway.
Kauai
Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger engaged host children in a coloring contest voted on by hosts, guests and others for fun prizes.
Hawaii Island
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Fairway Villas Waikoloa by Outrigger and Royal Sea Cliff Kona by Outrigger partnered with Kahalu‘u Beach for a clean-up and to support the “Reef Teach” team who educated on cauliflower coral spawning at Kahalu‘u Bay.
“As a global toes-in-the-sand brand, Outrigger has a front-row seat to our ocean and we have a responsibility for its care now and for future generations,” said Monica Salter, VP of Global Communications and Social Responsibility. “We aim to inspire action for the good of our planet this World Ocean Month and beyond.”
Outrigger’s Hawaii resorts are now Green Seal certified and are founding members of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Responsible Stay initiative. They are also part of Global Hotel Alliance’s new Green Collection.
Since the founding of its global Outrigger Zone conservation initiative in 2014, the company has preserved, protected and planted approximately 100 football fields of coral reef and was the first Hawaii hospitality brand to champion reef-safe sunscreen and provide it for guests.
Watch the Outrigger Zone video here.
