Centara Hotels & Resorts received top recognition from EarthCheck, a leading scientific benchmarking and certification group for travel and tourism, as two of its properties were awarded Gold Certifications for sustainability.

Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Karon Resort Phuket took home the Gold Certifications while other Centara properties retained Silver Certifications.

Centara Gold Certified properties have continued to engage in programmes such as energy, water and waste management since 2008. In April 2017, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi achieved its seventh year of Earthcheck Gold Certification. Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin and Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui reached their sixth year of Gold Certified.

The “EarthCheck Gold” designation is only conferred after five years of independent assessment and adherence to internationally-recognised, scientific standards. These efforts help inspire stakeholder confidence and drive further organisational improvement, competitive advantage, innovation and growth.

At Centara Karon Resort Phuket, the Green Team understands the importance of educating and working with stakeholders, partners and local communities to implement sustainability efforts. Working together with local environment groups, Centara helps increase public awareness for the environment and social responsibility. As part of these initiatives, Centara Karon Resort Phuket supports and educates local schools and communities. To celebrate its first year Gold Certification, the Green Team will repaint the playground of Wat Suwankirikhet School in Karon Province with biodegradable, nontoxic paints that are safer for the environment and students.    

Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is the integrated five-star hotel, convention centre and lifestyle complex in the heart Bangkok. It has installed an energy management system throughout the property. In 2016, energy consumption was controlled to 199.6 MJ per guest night, which is better than best practice benchmarks of peer properties. Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre has saved 981,867 kwh/year and reduced CO2 emissions to 571 tons/year. To celebrate its Gold achievement, the hotel will launch a Green Meeting Package aligned with ISO 20121 standards for sustainable events management.

“As one of Thailand’s leading hospitality groups, it is important to take a leadership role and encourage others to join the effort,” said Mr. Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “These accomplishments motivate our teams as we continue our efforts to bring about positive environmental change while providing our guests with memorable travel experiences.”

Centara is also proud to announce that nine properties have retained Silver Certification in 2017: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Centara Kata Resort Phuket; Centara Villas Phuket; Centara Villas Samui; Centara Hotel Hat Yai; Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives; and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi also achieved Bronze Certification as their first year certified programme.

“Centara Hotels & Resorts has taken a significant leadership position in sustainability and has shown continued dedication to the EarthCheck program. Achieving EarthCheck Certification is not an easy task. It requires the commitment and ownership from management, staff and suppliers and a willingness to submit reporting to expert scrutiny,” said Stewart Moore, chief executive officer for EarthCheck. “Congratulations to all 15 Certified properties, in particular Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Karon Resort Phuket for being awarded with EarthCheck’s prestigious Gold Certification.”

Five more properties are on track to receive Gold Certification in 2018: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Centara Kata Resort Phuket; and Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives. Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi will also be certified Silver for the first time. - TradeArabia News Service