Banyan Tree Samui: the resort was singled out last year by global watchdog EarthCheck as meeting the highest standards for environmentalism in the country. Credit: Banyan Tree Samui
KOH SAMUI - Whilst the meetings and tourism business has taken a beating in Koh Samui, Banyan Tree Samui has welcomed 200 green turtles as its special guests in recent months, bringing joy to staff at the now quiet resort which was singled out last year by global watchdog EarthCheck as meeting the highest standards for environmentalism in the country.
Between 4-24 April, three nests hatched on the resort's secluded beach. The hotel's resident marine biologist was on hand to protect the babies alongside staff from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
Staff protected them from predators such as birds and monitor lizards, gauging the temperature of the eggs to make sure the hatchlings would be given every chance of survival.
The hatchlings form a new part of the resort's sustainability efforts which include coconut planting, Sense of Nature Walk and coral reef snorkelling classes. Credit: Banyan Tree Samui
When travel restrictions are lifted, the resort's GM, Mr Remko Kroesen, is expecting small, high-level meetings to resume. The island is dependent on air traffic to bring guests over and it currently has only 2-4 daily flights by Bangkok Airways.
Mr Kroesen said all hotels will be audited for health and safety checks by the National Health Department as part of the tourism board's recovery plan before guests can be welcomed back.
"Weddings, incentives and small business meetings at a high level of management are more likely to be the core MICE business for Koh Samui due to access to the destination and limited meeting facilities on the island," said Mr Kroesen.
The resort currently has a meeting programme with special group rates, valid from 1 June to 20 December 2020:
Option I
• One guaranteed upgrade to Ocean View Pool Villa (per 20 paid villas)
• One free Deluxe Pool Villa (per 20 paid villas)
Option II
• 10% savings on Half-Day or Full-Day Meeting Packages
• 10% savings on Food & Beverage
• 20% savings on Spa (excluding taxes)
Prices start from 11,999 baht nett per night (US$377) per villa for two nights (for 7 - 14 villas), including breakfast.