Khao Sok National Park (Thailand) – January 20, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The two-day event at the Anurak Community Lodge provided valuable training to local service providers in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand in the areas of nature conservation and tourism.

The workshop was led by Dr. Scott Michael Smith from the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at Assumption University. The event took place at the Anurak Community Lodge and was supported by YAANA Ventures, a Bangkok-based sustainable tourism investor. Dr. Scott conducted a series of hospitality skills development workshops for tourism professionals in Khao Sok National Park, southern Thailand, from December 12-15, 2019.

Twenty-two members of the local community, including reception staff, housekeepers, gardeners, service staff and cooks employed at the lodge, benefited from the two-day “Spirit of Hospitality” training course led by project coordinator Dr. Smith.

Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures, said of the training: “Anurak Community Lodge operates according to the principles of conservation and sustainability. Therefore, we share responsibility for ensuring that tourism is developed sustainably and makes a positive contribution to nature conservation, involving and benefiting the local population. Scott’s workshop, ‘Spirit of Hospitality,’ addresses the challenges in human resources and highlights the professional and social skills that are essential for the preservation and success of the hospitality industry.”

In preparation for the workshop, Dr. Smith conducted a service audit focusing on hospitality, using both new and established key performance indicators. He then worked with management and team members to develop a training program tailored to the lodge's needs.

“Our goal was to find ways to exceed our guests’ expectations and create unforgettable moments that will delight visitors to Anurak Community Lodge. I thank Mr. Lekky, the guest relations manager, for his professional translation, dedication, and enthusiasm during the workshop,” said Dr. Smith, adding, “The quality of service at Anurak Community Lodge is extremely high thanks to the leadership of former celebrity chef and current lodge manager George Newling-Ward and the award-winning team of local people. It was a welcome challenge to work with the team to find further ways to exceed our guests’ expectations throughout their stay.”

Anurak Community Lodge in southern Thailand is an award-winning eco-retreat for active travelers 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 a spectacular limestone landscape, the lodge is an ideal base for exploring the adjacent Khao Sok National Park and the majestic Chiew Larn Lake.

Since its opening in 2016, Anurak has been guided by the principles of waste prevention, reuse, and recycling. Key aspects of its sustainability efforts include a ban on single-use plastics and polystyrene, as well as the establishment of a recycling station and a composting area. Wastewater from the laundry is filtered and used for the eco-lodge project "Rainforest Rising," which aims to transform 3,300 square meters of oil palm plantation into a natural vegetation belt in the long term.

This year, the Anurak Community Lodge was awarded the SKAL International Sustainable Tourism Award 2019 in the Rural Accommodation category and the SKÅL Asian Area Award 2019 in the Environment category.

This year, the lodge also received the prestigious Travelife Gold certification. Travelife is an internationally recognized program for sustainable accommodation. The Travelife standard for accommodations comprises approximately 163 requirements, compliance with which hotels must demonstrate every two years through an on-site audit. These requirements cover environmental protection, working conditions, human rights, social responsibility, and animal welfare.