Castaway Island, Fiji (FCI)
Plastic vs. Plants – A Collaboration with the Forestry Ministry of Fiji
BY KOLINIO VULAONO – Every year on April 22, people around the world come together to celebrate Earth Day, a time to reflect on the importance of environmental conservation and take action to protect our planet. Two popular activities that Castaway Island did was tree planting and beach cleanup, both of which play a significant role in preserving our natural resources and combating environmental degradation.
With this year’s theme, Plastic versus Plants, a total of 17 guests and hosts were able to plant a total of 35 fruiting trees around the resort vicinity. Participants were reminded that with a goodwill action of planting a tree will make a tangible difference in the fight against climate change and ensure a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come. The event was a collaboration between Castaway and the Forestry Ministry of Fiji.
And the Beach Cleanup attracted 10 hosts that managed to collect a total of seven full garbage bags that weighs up to 68kg of rubbish. Protecting our oceans and marine life was the message that was raised to the participants. The cleanup not only improve the aesthetics of beaches but also help protect the health of our oceans and the creatures that call them home.
As we ended the celebration of Earth Day, we remember the importance of taking action to protect our planet. By participating in tree planting and beach cleanup activities, individuals and communities can make a real difference in preserving our natural resources’, combating climate change, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.
Together, through collective action and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all life on Earth.
Castaway OUTRIGGER Care Quarterly Update
A big Vinaka Vaka-Levu to all the hosts and management for taking the time out and lending a hand in protecting our environment through our Outrigger Care organised activity.
The first quarter saw the celebration of the International Day of Forests where 12 signed–in kids from the Kids Club assisted in planting 10 coconut trees. The celebration of the World Water Day attracted eight guests and four hosts that participated in planting 20 branching coral fragments. For Earth Hour, Beach Clean-up was organized where 16 hosts managed to collect 89kg of rubbish.
OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort (TKS)
TKS Hosts Lace Up for the Samui HR Club’s Annual Charity Run
BY LEAH MATTERS – On March 31, 2024, our OUTRIGGER hosts participated in Samui HR Club’s annual charity run 2024 with more than 60 hotels around Samui island. All funds raised are donated to the local school scholarship program to allow under privileged students the opportunity to attend school. Samui HR club has been designed not only to share best practices, HR guidance, legislation etc. but also to focus on community-based activities with those less fortunate. Money raised from this event alone was THB 180,000 which will provide a number of eager students the opportunity to attend school.
We proudly received the top 8th place in terms of sponsorship with 31 hosts joining the 3.5km or 10.5km run. Incredibly, most of our hosts had to head work after their run as we hosted a number of Easter Sunday activities at the resort. Our hosts had a fun time participating in the event and are currently training hard for the next run in June.
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
Guests and Hosts Share Coral Planting Session to Celebrate Earth Day
BY SANYA SHANTANU SHETE – On April 22nd, we celebrated International Earth Day, a day dedicated to honoring our planet and promoting environmental conservation. We started the day off with a Botanical walk led by our sustainability officer, Nuwan Ilangakoon, where he guided the guests around the resort, educating them on the native and foreign flora on this island.
As the marine biologist, I took the opportunity to conduct a presentation to educate guests about Earth Day’s significance and the pressing environmental issues we face today.
One highlight of the day was the Earth Day Coral Planting event held at the sunrise jetty. Prior to the event, we collected over 130 coral fragments, ready to embark on a restoration mission. With the Earth-inspired dome as the artificial reef structure, I explained coral attachment techniques and the importance of coral reefs in marine ecosystems.
Enthusiastic participants joined us, eager to make a difference with this hands-on experience. After we successfully attached all the coral fragments, my dive colleague and I geared up and submerged the coral-laden frame, hopeful for the growth of new colonies.
Today, those corals stand as a symbol of our collective efforts to protect and preserve our planet’s precious ecosystems. Let’s continue working together to ensure a brighter, greener future for all.
Botanical Walk Recognizing Earth Day 2024
BY NUWAN ILANGAKOON – On Earth Day, 22 April 2024, Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru resort celebrated together with our guests in a Botanical walk enjoying the flora and beautiful vegetation around the island experiencing a Nature Therapy walk hosted by our Sustainability Officer. Nature and greener lover guests participated with full enthusiasm and were very curious to learn about island’s vegetation. Some of the excited guests even requested for private botanical walk and island tour learning about our plants and flowers.
Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. The first Earth Day was held on 22 April 1970. Studies reveal that people are healthier and happier when they connect with nature and spend time outdoors.
OUTRIGGER Surin Beach Resort (TPM)
TPM Celebrates Songkran, the Thai New Year Festival and Thai National Elderly Day 2024
On April 13, 2024, also known as Thai New Year’s Day, OUTRIGGER hosts participated in a community project titled “OUTRIGGERCares – Giving Care to Elderly Persons.”
With funds raised from our generous hosts, we were able to purchase essential items for the elderly in our community such as non-dairy milk, personal care and cleaning products and had the opportunity to visit some of the community at the Phuket Social Welfare Development Centre for Older Persons, Paklok.
As Audrey Hepburn once said, “As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”