Connect with us

Insiders

Six Senses Takes Away Two Environmental Awards

Published

on

Maldives Promotion House – Six Senses Resorts & Spas, the globally recognised leader in the field of sustainable tourism, has won two awards for its pioneering work in environmental conservation.  The company has won a special HICAP Sustainable Hotel Award in recognition of its corporate leadership in integrating sustainability as an embedded business philosophy.

It has also picked up a Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Award in the Doing it all, Small Hotel Chain category.

Judges for the special HICAP award said that the special award was warranted for Six Senses because of the company’s “consistent incorporation of sustainable best practices and innovations for all its properties – from conceptualization to operations, community engagement and destination management.”

“As an active community member, each property engages with the local community in responsible and fair trade, but also the organization of a wide range of environmental education and healthcare programs, charity activities and disaster relief projects,” the judging panel said.

“Via this award, best practice in Corporate Leadership is given an example in Six Senses; how sustainable practices can be adopted and implemented as an integral component of a company’s brand and operational strategy; and how larger and more positive environmental and community impacts can be generated when the scale is increased from individual property achievements to hotel portfolios and networks.”

The judges from Condé Nast Traveler Awards were equally fulsome in their praise of Six Senses. In making the award to the company, they said that Six Senses represented “the ultimate in high-end ecotourism, with audacious goals”.

“Six Senses puts to rest once and for all the idea that environmentally correct resorts appeal only to the crunchy granola set. Its 15 properties are both sustainable and luxurious,” they added.

The judging panel praised the company’s Social & Environmental Responsibility Fund that provides USD 500,000 annually to social and environmental causes.

It also highlighted Six Senses’ Carbon Sense Fund, which raises about USD 1.3m annually and it’s Clean Water Projects Fund, which raises over USD 250,000 annually and has helped over 500,000 people in the developing world gain access to clean water in the last two years.

Through its sustainable development funds, Six Senses supports a number of groundbreaking environmental projects around the world including the Six Senses Reforestation project in Thailand, a UNESCO backed marine conservation area in the Baa Atoll in the Maldives and the introduction of energy efficient cooking stoves in Darfur.

The pair of awards comes just days after the conclusion of the third annual SLOW LIFE Symposium at Six Senses’ flagship Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives, which brought together some of the greatest minds in the fields of business and sustainable development.

Delegates, including Sir Richard Branson and environmental activists and Hollywood actors Daryl Hannah and Edward Norton, spent three days examining ways to accelerate the adoption of sustainable business practices within the travel and tourism industries. They were joined by President Nasheed of the Maldives, who has pledged that his country will be carbon neutral by 2020.

Soneva Fushi is on track to become decarbonising by 2013 with the rest of the portfolio following suit by 2020.

“Not only do sustainability and luxury go hand in hand, we are rapidly reaching a point where they must go together if we are to preserve our planet’s fragile ecosystems,” Chief Executive and Founder of Six Senses, Sonu Shivdasani said.

“I am proud of the fact that Six Senses is leading the way in changing industry perceptions and proving that we can build a sustainable future without compromising on the quality of the holiday experience.”

Insiders

Constance Hotels & Resorts Honors Manjoola Dowlutrao’s 20-Year Career Journey

Published

on

Constance Hotels & Resorts celebrates the dedication and excellence of Manjoola Dowlutrao, recognizing her remarkable 20-year journey within the group.

Dowlutrao’s story began in 2001 as part of the inaugural class of the Constance Academy’s Management Training Program. This experience launched an exceptional career within the prestigious hotel group.

Starting at Constance Lemuria Seychelles as a Reservations Supervisor, Dowlutrao has consistently demonstrated exceptional growth and leadership. Her path led her to Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius, where she spent two decades honing her skills. She rose from Sales/Guest Relations Manager to Executive Assistant Manager, embodying a true commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.

Dowlutrao’s recent appointment as Executive Assistant Manager in the Maldives signifies both her valuable contributions and the confidence Constance Hotels & Resorts holds in her abilities. Her career trajectory exemplifies the supportive and empowering environment the group fosters, encouraging individuals to excel and assume leadership roles within the luxury hospitality industry.

Manjoola’s remarkable journey across Constance’s esteemed properties in Seychelles, Mauritius, and now the Maldives, stands as a testament to her vast knowledge and her dedication to enhancing the guest experience over the years.

Continue Reading

Insiders

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Welcomes Award-Winning Joachim Textor as New Executive Chef

Published

on

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced the appointment of Joachim Textor as the luxury resort’s new executive chef. With over 40 years of experience in delivering premium culinary services around the world, Chef Joachim is now ready to bring his exciting new variety of innovative dining experiences to the resort’s discerning guests.

A native of Germany, Chef Joachim Textor began his illustrious career as a cook at various world-class hotels in Switzerland. After honing his skills at the Hilton in Basel, the Park Hotel in Vitznau and the Hyatt Hotel in Montreux, he decided to expand his culinary repertoire by exploring the tastes and cuisines of the world. Across 42 years of travelling, his amazing culinary journey has taken him to 93 countries and countless five-star kitchens across the planet.

Chef Joachim’s incredible journey of gastronomic discovery has led him to gain invaluable experience as an executive chef in some of the world’s most prestigious hotel chains, including The Peninsula Hotels, InterContinental, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, and Hyatt. He has received critically acclaimed awards and was also the Opening Executive Chef of Anantara Dubai Palm where he spearheaded the opening of the resort’s signature restaurants and dining experiences back in 2013.

Regarded as one of the most pioneering chefs in the industry, Chef Joachim has also opened multiple award-winning hotels and dozens of restaurants in both the Middle East and the Far East, while he has also cooked for a number of famous politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and royalty all over the world. His past assignments include the G12 Asian Summit Conference in Busan, where he cooked for such prestigious world leaders as George W. Bush, Angela Merkel and Li Peng.

A positive and cheerful personality with an energetic passion for innovation in his creations, Chef Joachim is now set for the next adventure in his culinary journey. Still as hungry to learn and explore as ever, Chef Joachim will bring phenomenal dining experiences for gastronomes at Anantara Kihavah with a number of new innovations already planned. Sharing the knowledge he has accumulated through his travels across six continents, Chef Joachim will also act as a mentor for budding young cooks, introducing his repertoire of world cuisines to the next generation of aspiring gastronomic innovators. In Chef Joachim’s own words, “The best is yet to come. Life is a journey and not a destination; travel it safe and well.”

Continue Reading

Insiders

JOALI Appoints Özgür Cengiz as Global Wellness Development Director

Published

on

JOALI, the luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand, has announced the appointment of Özgür Cengiz as its Tourism Group Global Wellness Development Director, effective February 15th, 2024.

Cengiz brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industry. His career began with the opening team of Turkey’s first wellness resort, Richmond Nua Wellness, followed by leadership roles at Jumeirah in Azerbaijan and One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

In 2016, Cengiz joined JOALI as the Resort Manager for JOALI Maldives, the brand’s first art-immersive resort. He then played a pivotal role in establishing JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ first wellbeing island, as its General Manager.

Under Cengiz’s leadership, JOALI BEING garnered global recognition as a leading wellness destination. He is credited with creating the unique concept, curating a team of specialists, and introducing a diverse range of treatments – solidifying JOALI’s position as a wellness powerhouse.

Cengiz’s dedication extends beyond JOALI. He served as the Maldivian ambassador for Global Wellness Day for seven years, is a respected speaker in international wellness forums, and judges the Global Spa & Wellness Awards. His innovative approach and solution-oriented mindset have earned him widespread respect within the industry.

Hakan Öztürk, Tourism Group Managing Director of Gürok Group (JOALI’s parent company), commented on the appointment, stating that Cengiz’s “extensive knowledge and passion will truly redefine the wellness offerings for the brand from a broader perspective” as JOALI expands its portfolio.

In his new role, Cengiz will oversee the wellness strategy for the entire Gürok Tourism Group, encompassing innovative activations, expansion plans, and strategic development for both JOALI BEING and JOALI BEING Cure.

Cengiz’s appointment strengthens JOALI’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences and signifies their continued dedication to pushing boundaries within the industry.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.