Prior to World Ocean Awareness Month (June), the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and Parley for the Ocean Maldives formalized their partnership. The recently signed Letter of Intent intends to draw attention to the main concerns threatening the ocean and supports the Maldives Tourism Industry's goal of implementing the Parley AIR Strategy.
Three major pillars make up the Parley AIR Strategy:
AVOID the use of fossil-based plastics wherever possible
INTERCEPT plastic waste, divert it from landfills, nature and burning and send it into closed loops
REDESIGN products and materials and rethink how we interact and live on Planet Earth
“We are delighted to be officially collaborating with Parley for the Ocean to keep the crystal clear waters of the Maldives pristine and a safe habitat for our marine life,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“When we met with the team from Parley, I was immediately engaged and inspired. I wanted to have our resort be part of their efforts not just in a strategic sense, but also in the important areas of awareness and education.”
According to Mark, many visitors to Kandooma are interested in green initiatives, sustainable living practices, and the usage of renewable energy, and the resort is in a good position to raise awareness through guest outreach and custom programs.
“Hotels and resorts are in a unique position to be able to use their reach to guests to model behaviours and to share the story. We have a responsibility in the tourism sector to preserve the beautiful natural resources of our destination,” he added.
if part of the resort's commitment to the AIR Strategy, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has agreed to collect plastic garbage on-site, assist in transferring plastics from adjacent islands using resort boats (if needed), and take part in clean-up efforts on uninhabited islands. In order to conserve the ocean for future generations, the resort is actively looking at more "avoid" methods related to the use of plastic in resort operations. Visitors are actively encouraged to make an emotional connection with the ocean while visiting Kandooma. As part of its commitment to fostering respect for the water, the resort has also promised to encourage each member of its staff to become an advocate for the oceans and to forge strong linkages with local neighbourhoods and educational institutions.
Shaahina Ali, the executive director of Parley Maldives, commented on the partnership with Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives saying, “Parley shares valuable synergies with Kandooma’s management and we are excited about the opportunities that will unfold through this new relationship which will further promote our AIR Tourism programme designed to address the major threats to our oceans through creativity, collaboration and eco-innovation.”
