Surat Thani (Thailand) – July 16, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Anurak Community Lodge in Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand, has been awarded the SKAL Asian Area Award 2019 in the Environment category. The 20-room eco-lodge received the unanimous award from the jury at the 48th SKAL Asia Congress, held in Bangalore from June 28 to 30.

The award was presented on July 9th in Bangkok by Andrew Wood, President of SKAL International, Bangkok, to Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures, who conceived, built and operated the Anurak Community Lodge.

After the award ceremony, Mr. Wood said: “Willem and his team represent the best of the tourism industry in Southeast Asia. They are passionate, trustworthy, both globally and locally – and entrepreneurs.”

He added: “We have watched with great pride as they have built a dynamic organization committed to a triple balance – people, environment and profit – while preserving local culture and protecting the natural environment. The Anurak Community Lodge is an excellent example of this commitment.”

Opened in 2016, the lodge serves as an idyllic retreat amidst nature and an ideal base for activities in the nearby Khao Sok National Park. Nestled within six hectares of tropical gardens on the edge of the park, Anurak offers 20 eco-friendly rooms in twelve comfortable bungalows and two safari tents.

Guests can participate in eco-friendly tourism activities such as hiking, kayaking, cycling, rafting, jungle cooking, and exploring nearby Chiew Larn Lake. The lodge offers various 3- to 4-day packages for visitors.

Anurak is currently working to replace an old oil palm plantation, which would once have been an evergreen lowland forest, with native flora. Lodge guests are invited to participate in the reforestation initiative.

Single-use plastic products such as bags, bottles, and straws are prohibited at the lodge. There is a recycling station, a composting facility, and wastewater from the laundry is used to irrigate the vegetable and herb garden.

The lodge's commitment to the environment and local traditions is explained in a video by its manager, George Newling-Ward.

SKAL Asia has over 2,500 members in 43 clubs, including 28 in five national committees and 15 affiliated clubs. The region is the most diverse in the world, stretching over 10,000 km from Guam in the Pacific Ocean to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Clubs are located in 19 countries along this route.

Anurak Community Lodge is a 75-minute drive from Surat Thani Airport, 2 hours 30 minutes from Phuket Airport, and 2 hours from Krabi Airport. This award-winning eco-lodge is ideal for active guests who respect nature and the traditions of the local community. The 20-room lodge offers Deluxe Green, Eco Double, Eco Twin, and Deluxe Jungle Tent accommodations. Surrounded by spectacular limestone scenery, the lodge is an ideal base for exploring the adjacent Khao Sok National Park and the majestic Chiew Larn Lake.

About YAANA Ventures: YAANA Ventures owns, partners with, and operates innovative travel and hospitality projects in Asia. YAANA is characterized by authentic experiences deeply rooted in Asia's cultural diversity. The company is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, instilling values ​​in its partners that also benefit the people it works with.

About SKAL International: Skål International is a global professional association of tourism leaders that promotes global tourism and friendship. Skål International currently has approximately 15,000 members in 356 clubs across 85 countries.