Anurak Lodge in southern Thailand Wins Acclaim at the 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards Southeast Asia

Responsible tourism resort Anurak Lodge in southern Thailand won recognition for its Regenerative Tourism operations at the 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards Southeast Asia.

Award Recognition
- Event: 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards Southeast Asia, held in Sarawak, Malaysia on 7 July.
- Category Won: Regenerative Tourism — going beyond minimizing harm to actively improving the environment and community.
- Property: Anurak Lodge, a 19-key ecolodge on the edge of Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani, southern Thailand.
- Past Honors: Awards from PATA, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and SKAL.

Regenerative Initiatives
- Rainforest Rising Project: Replacing palm oil plantations with indigenous species like black plum, Burmese grape, and cowa mangosteen — boosting biodiversity and pollination.
- Guest Participation: Visitors help plant saplings, hike with guides, raft rivers, bike, cook, and engage in community-led activities.
- Sustainability Practices: Compost-making machine for the lodge’s vegetable garden, annual sustainability reporting, reductions in waste, plastics, and energy use.
- Staff Commitment: 23 employees actively involved in ecological recovery and guest engagement.

Leadership Statement
- George Newling-Ward (Manager): Praised staff enthusiasm and guest feedback as key drivers of success in recycling, energy reduction, and environmental regeneration.

Why It Matters
This award highlights how small-scale lodges can lead in regenerative tourism, showing that hospitality can actively restore ecosystems rather than just minimize damage. It positions Anurak Lodge as a model for eco-conscious travel in Southeast Asia.