Sustainability is at the heart of Centara Hotels & Resorts operations and is embedded in the corporate culture.  Centara’s teams work diligently to reduce their impact on the environment and within the local communities.  As recognition for all of the hard work and motivation to continue to expand the sustainability initiatives, Centara is honoured to have received two more Gold Certifications from EarthCheck for Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui and Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin along with numerous properties achieving Silver Certifications. 

The “EarthCheck Gold” designation is only conferred after five years of continual 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.

Centara has a healthy line up of Gold and Silver EarthCheck Certifications

Centara Gold Certified properties have continued to engage in programmes such as energy, water and waste management since 2008, along with stakeholder and community education and engagement that helps Centara manage and the communities monitor their impact on the environment. 

At Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, the ‘green’ team understands the importance of educating and working with stakeholders, partners and the local communities to further implement sustainability efforts.  Working together with local environment groups, Centara assists to increase the level of public awareness for the environment.  As part of these initiatives, Centara Grand Samui also produces EM Water (Effective Microorganisms Water) out of fruit and vegetable waste, which is then used as fertilizer and biochemical to use in the hotel.  The EM Water is also donated to the local temples and schools.  This water has many benefits to the environment as well as for agriculture and in order for the community to yield the benefits, the team at Centara Grand Samui help to educate the nearby community on how to produce their own EM Water. 

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, has a rich history, as it is the original Railway Hotel, first opening its doors to welcome guests in the early 1920s.  It was Thailand’s first beach resort.  This history is preserved with the original building as well as the popular topiary gardens.  A water management system was implemented as it was vital to the operations of the property as well as to the overall guest experience.  The water management system uses the waste water, including over 100,000 KL of grey water, which are effectively treated and reused to water the extensive topiary gardens.  The giant topiary animals that are featured in the garden require a great deal of attention and water and the use of the recycled wastewater allows for property maintenance without heavy impact on water usage.  Centara Grand Hua Hin also produce EM Water and run programmes with the local community. 

“As one of Thailand’s leading hospitality groups, it is important to take a leadership role and to encourage others to join in the efforts,” shares 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.”

In June 2015, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi became the first property in Thailand to be Gold Certified.  It is overall an amazing achievement by the operations and ‘green’ teams to be honoured with three Gold Certifications. 

Centara is also proud to announce that 12 properties have achieved Silver Certification in 2016: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World; Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket; Centara Karon 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 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 to achieve. It requires the commitment and ownership from management, staff and suppliers and a willingness to submit reporting to expert scrutiny,” comments Stewart Moore, Chief Executive Officer for EarthCheck.  “Congratulations to all 15 Certified properties, in particular Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi and Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui for being awarded with EarthCheck’s prestigious Gold Certification.”

Two more properties are on track to receiving Gold Certification in 2017 - Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Karon Resort Phuket.

While Centara Hotels & Resorts continue to make great strides in their sustainability management, they are always exploring new opportunities that will allow for even greater sustainability measures to further lessen the impacts on the environment and to better support the local communities.