Cardamom Mountain (Cambodia) – November 19, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas continually reaffirms its commitment to preserving the environment, society, and culture. Particular emphasis is placed on employing and empowering local communities, and wherever possible, sustainable products and services are sourced regionally. Globally, Anantara collaborates with local communities and enhances guests' cultural awareness by integrating indigenous culture into daily life.

One such initiative is the Cardamom Tented Camp, nestled in the Cardamom Mountains of southern Cambodia. The camp—a non-profit eco-lodge situated amidst 18,000 hectares of pristine wilderness—opened in late 2017. The camp's revenue funds rangers who patrol the concession area, protecting it from logging and poaching. Since funding began, the area has become vibrant again, and wildlife is thriving, while beyond its borders, the forest continues to be cleared and deforested.

In addition to the negative impacts of climate change, Cambodia's forests are also severely damaged by illegal logging, poaching, and sand dredging. The Cardamom Tented Camp grants carefully selected organizations the right and responsibility to protect and manage specific forest areas. Since 2014, the concession for the land on which the camp stands has been funded through Anantara's non-profit organization, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF)—one of several philanthropic projects that Anantara supports globally. The ongoing maintenance of the camp and its ranger team is now partially funded by Anantara guests through GTAEF.

For environmentally conscious guests, Cardamom Tented Camp's slogan, "Your stay sustains the forest," underscores the camp's commitment to reinvesting all tourism revenue back into the camp's operation and the funding of patrols. Most of the staff come from the nearby village of Trapeang Rung – some of them former poachers who have now dedicated themselves to conservation, benefiting from an improved standard of living and a more regular income by protecting the animals they once hunted.

In the face of mounting global climate problems, the successes of small-scale environmental initiatives are often dismissed as insignificant. Yet, while the search for a panacea continues, local grassroots initiatives have proven vital in providing relief in areas ravaged by floods, deforestation, and drought. The camp's efforts did not go unnoticed, and the Cardamom Tented Camp won the 2019 PATA Gold Award in the Environment – ​​Ecotourism Project category.

Guests at Cardamom Tented Camp can participate as they wish, for example by accompanying Khmer rangers on jungle patrols to remove traps and protect wildlife and the forests from poachers. Or they can simply relax on the terrace of their tent and watch a family of macaques moving through the canopy opposite the breakfast station. The camp has recently begun offering overnight tree tent excursions in the heart of the jungle. These adventurous tours are available from November 2019.

The camp is completely eco-friendly. Plastic bottles are banned, the solar panels provide all the electricity, and as much as possible is reused and recycled. Travelers can expect a high-quality 3-star camp with comfortable beds, sturdy bamboo and rattan furniture, fans, and bathrooms with hot water and rain showers.

To learn more about tourism and hospitality businesses committed to sustainability and to be inspired, please visit www.SustainableFirst.com.

About the sustainability program of Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas: Beyond the tented camps, Anantara's CSR success stories are told in the brand's mini-documentaries "Beyond Horizons", showcasing the breadth and diversity of the charitable and sustainability work carried out by Anantara hotels worldwide.

“Beyond Horizons” takes viewers to some of the world’s most breathtaking and fragile destinations, offering an honest insight into the environmental problems faced by local communities and an invitation to begin a dialogue about the urgent need to work together to address these issues.

The videos in the “Beyond Horizons” series were filmed on location and are each narrated by Anantara CSR representatives who tell stories about progressive initiatives being carried out in hotels around the world by Anantara-led charities such as the Thailand-based Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation.

About Anantara Hotels and Resorts: Anantara is a luxury hotel brand for modern travelers, bringing them closer to authentic places, people, and stories through personalized experiences and offering warm hospitality in the world's most exciting destinations. The collection of distinctive, meticulously designed luxury hotels and resorts offers you the opportunity to discover inspiring new worlds and create bespoke travel experiences.

From vibrant metropolises and desert landscapes to lush islands, Anantara connects travelers with local culture, offering authentic luxury and passionate expertise. The portfolio currently includes over 35 stunning hotels and resorts in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Portugal. Further hotels and resorts in Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and Africa are in development.