19 Nov 2015
Singapore, November 19, 2015
Secret Retreats is a community of passionate individual property owners across Asia. Unlike other marketing organisations, the Secret Retreats community is run by and for its members, to share not just resources, but to also rally their commitment to support local cultures and suppliers, integrate into the local population and to actively advocate for the protection of the natural environment. It has therefore been a natural progression to formalise the commitment of every Secret Retreats members to act responsibly in all their dealings, in the form of a signed pledge.
The initial group discussions to find a way to actively represent the collective member's promise was led by two inspirational property owners.
Marit Miners from Misool Eco Resort in Indonesia's Raja Ampat, and Marcus Cotton from Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge in Nepal, have both successfully proven the benefit of their commitment to sustainable practices.
Misool Eco Resort: www.secret-retreats.com/misool
Misool Eco Resort, in collaboration with Shark Savers organised a petition that turned Raja Ampat into a shark and Manta ray sanctuary.
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge: www.secret-collections.com/tmpl
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is committed to the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, the people and communities (under the audit of JustReport©)
Through the passionate leadership and experience of Marit Miners and Marcus Cotton, Secret Retreats members have now agreed that all new candidates to the Secret Retreats community must agree to sign the Sustainability Pledge. This represents our firm belief that together we can make a difference in the world of tourism, and in our environment.
Read the pledge here (www.secret-retreats.com/en/we-care/sustainability-pledge)
New Charity Portal
The recent fires in Sumatra and Borneo that have ravaged the environment since August 2015, have prompted Secret Retreats to answer the cry for Help from BOSF (Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation).
The disaster is described by Secret Retreats member, Gaye Thavisin, from the Spirit of Kalimantan, “When the atmosphere around us turned yellow and then orange, it felt as if we were living through an apocalypse. Sunshine and fresh air were a memory….”
In order to find a way to raise money to help this, and other urgent charity needs, Secret Retreats is now developing an ongoing Charity Auction system that will allow the highest bidders to win stays, dinners or activities in Secret Retreats properties www.secret-retreats.com/auction. This new charity portal will be ready for use by mid-November.
Managing Director of Secret Retreats, Stephane Junca shares, “By creating this Charity Auction Page we are hoping to be able to create an emergency fund and to react faster to potential future disasters, unfortunately quite frequent lately. It is our responsibility to help.”
For more information:
Kat Johnston, PR Manager
About Secret Retreats
Secret Retreats is a collection of unique properties (boutique hotels, villas, boats and restaurants) throughout Asia. We are a community built by independent owners and chefs to share resources and ideas. Together, we offer our guests authentic travel experiences to the very heart of Asian culture and traditions. Our owners are vibrant advocates of their surroundings with the generosity to share special moments with those travellers curious to experience and discover the “essence of Asia”.
