Platinum Certification for Kep province’s Knai Bang Chatt Hotel as a continued benchmark for sustainability in Cambodia’s tourism industry. Part of the ethos of Knai Bang Chatt is to continually grow to offer its guests a truly inspiring “guilt free” experience, to enjoy the finest things in life while caring for the environment.

KEP, February 14^th 2021 –  Green Growth 2050, a GSTC ( Global Sustainable Tourism council) recognised standard this week completed their fourth annual audit which resulted in Knai Bang Chatt rising to the highest level attainable under the standard, with an overall compliance level in excess of 90%, Knai Bang Chatt are now for two years in a row certified Platinum.  

The independent audit conducted by an Australian expert and co-founder of Green Growth 2050 covered a large number of CSR and sustainability indicators, ranging from Health and Safety and Human Rights to Environmental Stewardship and Social and Community Development.

The most recent audit identified that Knai Bang Chatt has maintain its level in sustainability indicators and standards especially in the areas of sustainable operations and best practice, sustainability management, pollution reduction and protection of bio-diversity. This result also cements the resorts commitment across all elements of sustainability and is clear evidence they are pioneers and leaders of sustainable practices for all industries within the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Wayne McKinnon, CEO of Green Growth 2050 said “Knai Bang Chatt understands and embraces the concepts of sustainability better than any hotel we have encountered.  It is embedded in everything they do, but most importantly, enhances the guest experience.  This commitment is reflected in their recent Platinum Certification to the Green Growth 2050 standard; one of only six hotels worldwide to reach this level of achievement.”

“Given the challenges facing the tourism industry due to COVID-19, it is a credit to the team at Knai Bang Chatt that they were able to maintain their broad range of environmental and community initiatives and continue to provide global leadership in sustainable tourism.”

“We at Green Growth 2050 congratulate Knai Bang Chatt on this outstanding achievement and look forward to working with Jef, Estelle and the team on their continued success during 2021 and beyond.”

Jef Moons, founder and CEO of Knai Bang Chatt said “Having received “Platinum” in these challenging times is an extreme honour and only reflects the hard work of a great team. Traveling with Knai Bang Chatt is a wonderful journey but can also be described as “Guilt Free Travel”.

Knai Bang Chatt’s certification include significantly reducing the consumption of plastic packaging, by sterilizing and bottling drinking water in reusable glass bottles, using bio-degradable plastic bags for waste management and eliminating the use of plastic straws by providing bio-degradable straw alternatives. Working diligently with like-minded suppliers to reduce styrofoam/plastic packaging and continue to support reusable containers for deliveries. Today the resort also boasts its own bio diverse organic gardens that currently provide the resort with over 25% of their fresh fruit/vegetable produce as well as large supply of fresh herbs and lettuces.

 Achieving a carefully crafted synergy in the sustainability program has allowed Knai Bang Chatt to form a circular economy in the resort within the various elements of their operations.

70% of their waste is organic materials that are composted onsite using simple techniques such as upcycling, recycling and composting. Executive Chef Jay Scaife said “Öur Food & Beverage team works with great confidence knowing that almost every product that is used in the operation has a circular lifespan. Not only do we impact our surrounding area, we impact the lives of our guests and staff.”  

Through taking responsibility for things like waste management and food production instead of outsourcing, they know that these are conducted ethically, and that the lingering impacts are positive rather than negative. This is a game-changer, especially for this context.

Estelle Bergandi, general manager of the luxury boutique hotel, explained that “At Knai Bang Chatt, we are focused on creation, community and making a positive impact. We are now collaborating with the UNDP and local authorities to create a handbook to promote circular economy and best practices that will be available for all in the public and private sectors.

 I truly believe that as word spreads and momentum builds, it is through education on how people can care for their surroundings, for their land, that real change is made.”Mrs. Bergandi said.

Cambodia’s Best Kept Secret

Knai Bang Chatt is a boutique barefoot luxury resort located in Kep province, on Cambodia’s southern coastline that is swiftly gaining a reputation for barefoot luxury as it rejuvenates guests as well as local communities.

In the 1960s the area was known as Cambodia’s Riviera, where royalty and stars mingled in private villas overlooking the Gulf of Thailand against a backdrop of lush, forested mountains. In 2003, Knai Bang Chatt became the first luxury resort to reopen in the province, with the goal of reviving its culture and economy. The resort has since invested more than $1 million in village-based development projects in the province and now employs more than 85 staff, including those who work at its adjacent Sailing Club.

Knai Bang Chatt consists of four renovated villas built in the 1970s by protégés of the father of New Khmer Architecture, Vann Molyvann, a student of the world famous architect Le Corbusier. The villas are astonishing historical landmarks that guests can now experience as private residences and suites.

For more information please visit  www.knaibangchatt.com/ and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/knaibangchatt. For media enquiries please contact Knai Bang Chatt General Manager Estelle Bergandi. Email:  gm@knaibangchatt.com/ telephone: +85578888552

About Green Growth 2050

This global certification program is fast becoming the leading standard for Travel and

Tourism by linking sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility to achieve and adhere to Green Growth. It was developed in Australia by VisionCSR and is a GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) recognized standard.  What makes it distinct is the more than

430 indicators used to measure compliance and tailored software that allows businesses to track progress and identify shortcomings on each of these indicators. Annual audits are conducted to gauge compliance with the indicators, which cover:

•           Sustainability Management

•           Legal Compliance

•           Labor Practices

•           Health & Safety

•           Human Rights

•           Sustainability Design & Construction of Buildings & Infrastructure

•           Sustainable Operations – Best Practice

•           Bribery & Corruption

•           Energy, Water, Waste & CO2-e

•           Environmental Stewardship – Conserving Resources

•           Environmental Stewardship – Reducing Pollution

•           Environmental Stewardship – Conserving Biodiversity

•           Social & Community Development

The Green Growth 2050 standard also includes indicators related to a range of international conventions including the UN Global Compact, the UNEP Green Economy Principles, UN Declaration of Human Rights, The Code against the Sexual Exploitation of Children, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Industry Criteria.

(For more information visit  https://www.greengrowth2050.com/)

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Wayne McKinnon