Southern Thai Ecolodge Wins Acclaim for ‘Regenerative Tourism’ in Asian Awards

Anurak Lodge in southern Thailand 

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

The award ceremony for regional winners took place in Sarawak, Malaysia, 7 July, at the International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH).

Among six categories, Anurak Lodge earned acclaim for Regenerative Tourism, a category where tourism goes beyond reducing negative impacts and strives to leave a place in better condition than before.

The property, a 19-key ecolodge located on the border of Khao Sok national park, in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, has previously won sustainability awards from the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and SKAL.

Collecting the award on stage in Miri, Sarawak on 7 July on behalf of Anurak staff, lodge manager, George Newling-Ward, said, “The staff have worked hard to implement regenerative and responsible tourism initiatives across all aspects of operations. Their enthusiasm and positive feedback from guests help us deliver on recycling, reducing energy use, and regenerating the local environment.”

Anruak Lodge was established in 2016 with the vision of creating tourism that benefits both people and nature through ecological recovery. Anurak in Thai language means "to protect," "to conserve".

Rainforest Rising

Anurak Lodge manager,
George Newling-Ward (centre)

Anurak Lodge’s Rainforest Rising project, for example, has been replacing commercial palm oil trees with wildlife-friendly indigenous species for seven years. Guests help plant young saplings such as black plum, Burmese grape tree, and cowa mangosteen. These indigenous species are good for insect pollination. They support bird and wildlife biodiversity.

The lodge has recently added a compost-making machine to feed its own vegetable garden. Management also measures reductions in waste, plastics, and power usage, all of which it records in an annual sustainability report. Anurak employs 23 staff.

For guests, Anurak Lodge offers community-led activities such as guided forest hiking, bamboo raft river trips, mountain biking, cooking classes and tree planting.

At the ICRTH event, awards were also given to tourism operators for excellence in local economic benefits, diversity, equity and inclusion, nature positive actions, cultural diversity, and adapting to climate change.

Anurak Lodge’s latest sustainability report is available here. Further information about the ecolodge is available at anuraklodge.com.

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/