HICAP Sustainable Hotel Award for Climate Action Winner – Hotel Magazine

Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia has received the 2022 Hotel Financial commitment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) Sustainable Resort Award for Weather Motion.

In addition to climate motion, there had been awards for setting up preservation/adaptive reuse, positive community influence, and sustainable design. Submissions have been assessed by 7 judges, the the greater part from institutional sustainability backgrounds. The BHN Group, the organiser of the HICAP event, declared the winners on 12 Oct 2022.

The judges based mostly the local weather motion determination on Cardamom Tented Camp’s potential to function with companions to protect 180 square kilometres of lowland rainforest in the Botum Sakor national park in southwest Cambodia. On local climate motion, it is believed that the forest that the camp assists protect sequesters about 108,652 tons of carbon per year, according to Wildlife Performs.

Considering the fact that opening in 2017, the tented camp’s motto has been, “Your Continue to be Retains the Forest Standing.” It can make the claim mainly because profits from the camp assistance the month to month salaries of ten Wildlife Alliance forest rangers. The rangers safeguard the habitat from illegal poachers, loggers, riverbank sand dredgers and land encroachers.

Populations of elephant, leopard, python, sun bear, otter, pangolin and other wildlife are improving upon thanks to camp-funded ranger patrols. The rangers have compelled poachers to the perimeters or out of the park completely.

“Despite setbacks during the two Covid a long time when tourism money considerably disappeared, Cardamom Tented Camp persevered in its environmental mission,” said Willem Niemeijer, CEO of camp operator YAANA Ventures. “We are grateful to HICAP for recognising our staying electricity and capacity to operate with associates to continue to keep the forest standing, with all the added benefits that bring.”

HICAP judges also considered the camp’s sizeable contribution to UN Sustainable Growth Goals, these as daily life on land, cleanse and economical electricity, first rate operate, economic development, weather motion, and partnerships. Cardamom Tented Camp is a partnership with Small Resort Group’s sustainability arm, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, Wildlife Alliance, and YAANA Ventures.

Past sequestering an believed 108,652 tons of CO2 each year, the judges also recognised Cardamom Tented Camp’s extra environmental attempts, which includes staying run by 100 % onsite solar strength for its electricity, minimal-effect heating and cooking, and organic wastewater filtration processes. The property recycles as considerably as probable and makes use of 100 percent natural particular treatment products. Future strategies consist of:

• Powering its boat with an electric battery.
• Growing neighborhood and onsite food items sourcing.
• Undertaking local community-based mostly conservation.

Aside from Cardamom Tented Camp’s environmental initiatives, it also scores perfectly on hospitality and all-round guest practical experience metrics. The camp’s visitor satisfaction amounts are rated five stars by TripAdvisor and have been so for a few decades.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, YAANA Ventures estimates Cardamom Tented Camp will near in 2022 with about 80 p.c of 2019’s occupancy and will return to lucrative ranges in 2023. In parallel with this, YAANA Ventures will raise the forest rangers’ contributions.