Anurak Community Lodge wins Amazing Thailand responsible tourism award
Anurak Community Lodge in southern Thailand has won the Tourism Authority of Thailand 2024 Responsible Tourism Award in the “Responsible Tourism Accommodation” category.
Willem Niemeijer, Anurak co-founder and CEO of Anurak owner-operator YAANA Ventures, received the award from Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong, at World Travel Market in London, November 5.
‘Holistic approach’
Mr Niemeijer said the award meant a lot. “The judges were looking at a broad range of factors such as environmental, cultural, community engagement, and helping guests to travel more responsibly in Thailand. I believe Anurak Lodge did well on all those fronts because we take a holistic approach to responsible guest experiences.”
Located beside the magnificent Khao Sok National Park in Thailand’s south, Anurak Lodge champions a “Rainforest Rising” tree-planting project, initiated by the Forest Restoration and Research Unit at Chiang Mai University. Guests are invited to plant indigenous trees to support reforestation efforts, contributing directly to the maintenance of the project.
With 19 eco-friendly units, Anurak integrates sustainability into daily operations by recycling food waste into its gardens, composting, and using energy-efficient LED lighting. Non-motorised activities such as cycling, hiking, and bamboo rafting are encouraged, reflecting Anurak’s commitment to low-impact tourism. Guests can also explore an educational, signposted nature trail that highlights the region’s unique flora, fauna, and spectacular limestone formations.
Earlier this year, Anurak Lodge expanded its guest offerings by adding nine new mountain bikes, enhancing its fleet to 15, and refurbishing its open-air Hornbill restaurant, which now offers extended hours and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest. Explore the full range of Anurak’s guest experiences at AnurakLodge.com.
Anurak Lodge’s dedication to sustainable practices has been consistently recognised. Since 2019, it has held Travelife Gold Certification, a globally endorsed environmental certification by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The lodge also received the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Grand Award for Sustainability in 2020.
In good company
Anurak Lodge was among five winners at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Responsible Tourism Awards 2024, celebrating diverse contributions across conservation, community tourism, animal welfare, and local guiding.
Other winners in the awards were Bang Rong Community-based tourism in the Responsible Community Tourism category, Khao Lak Merlin Resort in the Responsible Conservation category, Ms Wipaporn Ord in the Responsible Local Guide category, and Elephant Hills in the Responsible Animal Welfare category.
About Anurak Community Lodge
Located a 75-minute drive from Surat Thani airport, 150 minutes from Phuket airport and two hours from Krabi airport, Anurak Community Lodge is an award winning eco-retreat for active lifestyle visitors who respect nature and local community traditions.
Surrounded by spectacular limestone karst scenery, the lodge is an ideal base to explore adjacent Khao Sok National Park and majestic Chiew Larn Lake.
The 19-key lodge, with Deluxe Green Double, Eco Double, Eco Twin options, plus one Superior Safari Tent, is Travelife Gold Certified.
In addition to 2024 Tourism Authority of Thailand Responsible Tourism Award for Accommodation, Anurak Community Lodge won the 2020 PATA Grand Award for Sustainability.
Full information and bookings at AnurakLodge.com.
About YAANA Ventures
YAANA Ventures is an owner, partner and operator of entrepreneurial travel and hospitality ventures in Asia. YAANA distinguishes itself by sharing real experiences that are grounded in the cultural richness of Asia. The company is the champion of the triple bottom-line: people, planet, profit. It empowers its ventures with the values to nurture the people with whom it works. Visit YAANA-Ventures.com.
Featured image (top of post)
Willem Niemeijer (right) accepts the Tourism Authority of Thailand 2024 Responsible Tourism Award for “Responsible Tourism Accommodation” from Thai Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong at World Travel Market in London, November 5.