MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL CONTINUES TO SOW THE SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN SOUTHERN THAILAND WITH LAUNCH OF JW GARDEN IN KHAO LAK
Marriott International committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.
Bangkok, Thailand: 10 May 2024 – Marriott International continues to sow the seeds of sustainability with a series of important initiatives that seek to bring lasting benefits to the group’s destinations and communities. Supported by the Marriott Thailand Business Council and guided by Marriott International’s global sustainability and social impact platform Serve 360, the initiatives reflect Marriott’s commitment to creating a positive impact wherever it does business – including on the pure shores of Southern Thailand.
Sustainability is woven into Marriott’s operations. By tracking and managing its waste, water and energy consumption, the group is pursuing its 2025 Sustainability Goals to reduce food waste by 50%, water intensity by 15%, and carbon intensity by 30%. Ultimately, the company is striving to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Marriott’s hotels and resorts in Southern Thailand have been working to help the group to achieve our global targets, with a wide range of projects having been initiated by the Marriott Thailand Business Council. Food waste is a key issue and 66 hotels across Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are currently collaborating with charitable organization Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS) to donate thousands of meals to disadvantaged communities.” said Mr. Brad Edman, Multi-Property Vice President – Southern Thailand and General Manager at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa.
In 2023, 10 resorts in Southern Thailand donated more than 1,000kg of surplus food to SOS, which provide 4,200 meals to disadvantaged local communities. Other excess food is repurposed into pickles, jams and other homemade products, or converted into organic compost to fertilize the resorts’ gardens. Cage-free eggs, crate-free pork and sustainable seafood are also used as part of a responsible sourcing strategy which helps generate community benefits and reduce transport emissions.
In 2023, 10 resorts in Southern Thailand donated more than 1,000kg of surplus food to Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS).
Marriott is also striving to significantly reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. By the end of 2023, two-thirds of the group’s properties in Thailand had removed single-use plastic water bottles from their guest rooms and replaced them with alternatives such as reusable glass bottles, onsite water bottling plants and in-room filters for drinking water. In terms of renewable energy, Marriott is in the process of rolling out 165 EV charging stations across Thailand by 2025.
The newly-launched JW Garden in Khao Lak: A groundbreaking venture redefining sustainability, wellness, and immersive nature experiences at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa.
At JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Suites, the newly-launched JW Garden is a haven of tranquility and sustainability. This full farm and wilderness space allows visitors to escape, unwind and be inspired by nature with organic gardens, interactive experiences with farm animals, outdoor yoga sessions, conservation classes, bird-watching, picnics and more. At the Environment School, guests receive invaluable knowledge with the resort’s resident environmentalist through engaging sessions and participation in the Nipa Palm Mangrove Reforestation Project, empowering them to become tomorrow’s change-makers, committed to preserving the natural world for future generations.
“We are delighted to introduce our JW Garden, a lush oasis where sustainability thrives. As an increasing number of guests seek meaningful vacations, this eco haven will allow them to interact with nature and learn about how our resort is helping to create a better tomorrow for local communities and international visitors alike. Following the launch of our Bamboo Shark Nursery in July last year, this is the latest example of how we are striving to ‘do good in every direction’,” said Mr. Abhimanyu Singh, General Manager of JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Suites.
“At Marriott, we understand that we are only the guardians of our destinations and that we have a duty to preserve them for future generations. Through responsible projects like the JW Garden, we can drive positive change, generate benefits for our communities and create unforgettable guest experiences,” said Mr. Daryn Hudson, Co-Chair of Marriott’s International Business Councils Thailand and General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort.
To learn more about Marriott’s efforts to make a positive and sustainable impact on the world’s most pressing social, environmental and economic issues, please visit www.Marriott.com/Serve360.
