Groundbreaking corporate social responsibility group, the Pure Blue Foundation, has successfully generated THB400,000 (USD13,000) during its inaugural gala fundraising auction “Coral Couture”, in aid of rebuilding damaged reef ecosystems in Phuket’s Phang Nga area.
Co-founded in 2010 by Aleenta Resorts and Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS) group, the innovative foundation is championed by Aleenta Resorts Founder and Managing Director Anchalika Kijkanakorn, following her proclamation the natural environment will be safeguarded wherever Aleenta Resorts are located.
- Artificial structures encourage reef ecosystem growth.
The foundation aims to raise THB700,000 during the project’s first year and estimates the total cost of rebuilding various reefs will reach THB3 million over three years.
Working in collaboration with Coral Reef Creator (CRC), a Swiss-French company specialising in the development and creation of coral reefs based on artificial structures, an ambitious plan has been created to construct a coral reef park 20 metres offshore from the boutique, luxury Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga on Natai Beach.
The park is designed to attract schools of fish, crustaceans and shell species, which in turn will enable a new ecosystem to flourish.
Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga hosted the prestigious fundraising evening recently to great acclaim. More than 100 guests and VIPs attended and THB250,600 was raised across the auction bids, which included a five-night stay anywhere in the world donated by Small Luxury Hotels of the World. A further pledge of THB150,000 from one generous donor boosted the evening’s total to more than half the funding required for the project’s first year.
Ms Kijkanakorn was delighted with the evening’s success yet believes the journey to help protect the reefs is just beginning.
“My goals are to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect and preserve the environment, replenishing where necessary, given that most of the damage to our planet comes from mankind,” she said. “With the funds we have raised we are now in a strong position to start our first artificial reef project and will continue to raise funds via the Pure Blue Foundation until we meet our target.”
Ms Kijkanakorn also pointed out that the loss of the reef system along Thailand’s coastal areas could have a long-term detrimental effect on the nation’s tourism.
Following the success of the Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga fundraiser, the foundation plans further gala events in both Phuket and Bangkok to continue raising funds. It is hoped that following the success of this project, the movement will spread to other areas off the Thai coastline.
AHMS specialises in the management of small luxury resorts and is the management company for Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga and Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi. The hospitality group partners with owners and investors to maximise property values and returns either on a consulting basis or through a direct management agreement. AHMS launch the Akyra Samui in Q2 2011 on Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui and the Akaryn Samui on Cheng Mon Beach in Q4 2011. For more information visit www.aleenta.com
The Pure Blue Foundation was set up to preserve the ocean’s eco-system and ensure the reef rebuilding project is conducted in a professional and transparent manner. For more information and to discover how you can help, visit www.purebluefoundation.com
