ALEENTA RESORTS RELEASES BABY TURTLES AND COMMITS TO LONG-TERM CONSERVATION PROJECT

For Immediate Release

May 24, 2011

PHUKET, THAILAND – Guests at the exclusive Aleenta Phuket–Phang Nga resort were given the chance of a lifetime recently to help save indigenous turtles when they released 20 endangered baby leatherback turtles into the Andaman Sea.

Guests release 20 endangered turtle species at Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga. For high resolution image please click here.

The event was part of the Aleenta Resorts & Spas Mai Khao Marine Turtle Initiative, managed by corporate social responsibility group, Pure Blue Foundation, which also pioneered the groundbreaking reef restoration project off the coast of the resort. The Pure Blue Foundation was created by Aleenta Resorts founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn.

The resort has raised these particular baby turtles over the last few years and has shown its dedication to their cause by offering monthly support and funding to the Turtle Sanctuary, housed at the breathtaking Khao Lumpee-Haad Thaymuang National Park just 20 minutes south of the resort.

With this funding the resort employs a full-time representative to tend to more than 200 turtle hatchlings and rehabilitate injured turtles, as well as taking guests to visit the park. These particular 20 turtles were large enough to leave the nest and the sanctuary contacted Aleenta Phuket–Phang Nga to ask if it would like to release them back to their natural habitat as the resort had cared and nurtured them from the start.

The release of the baby turtles – on the critically endangered in Thailand list since 1996 – is further evidence of the resort’s strong commitment to remaining both environmentally friendly and socially responsible, while simultaneously offering guests a charming boutique hideaway on one of the world’s most beautifully natural and exotic beaches.

“We are a resort built on guilt-free luxury and are delighted to continue this important work - as well as give our guests the opportunity to become involved,” said Ms Kijkanakorn. “It is the type of rewarding experience guests can enjoy when they stay with us.”

Following the turtle release, the resort donated another THB100,000 to the project and has committed to supporting the foundation in the long-term. Furthermore, on check-in, Aleenta offers guests information on turtle conservation and matches donations of THB40 per night to the Turtle Sanctuary.

The Pure Blue Foundation continues to raise funds and is currently holding an online auction which will close at 2pm on June 1, 2011 – and can be found by visiting: http://auctions.weblite.ca/purebluefoundation/

For further information and high-resolution photography, please contact:

Anchalika Kijkanakorn
Managing Director
Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS)
Tel: +66 (0) 2514 8112
E-mail: anchalika@aleenta.com
E-mail : pa@ahmshotels.com
Website: www.aleenta.com

David Johnson
Director
Delivering Asia Communications
Tel : +66 (0) 2 246 1159
E-mail : dj@deliveringasia.com
Website: www.deliveringcommunications.com

Notes to Editors:

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