BORACAY Island, Philippines – Mandala Spa & Villas (MSV), recognized globally as one of Asia’s finest spa resorts and notably the country’s quintessential wellness provider, spa brand, and best destination spa in the Philippines, was recently honored with the ASEAN Green Hotel Award for their significant and sustainable environmental policies and initiatives, and for their consistent and notable environment-friendly practices, since first opening their doors as a day spa in 2001 and as a wellness resort in 2004.

Held every two years, the ASEAN Green Hotel Awards covers environmental policy and activities, use of green products, collaboration with the communities and local organizations, human resource management, solid waste management, energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality management, noise pollution control, waste water treatment and management, and toxic and chemical substance disposal management.

When asked how they have managed to successfully sustain this commitment through the years, MSV owner, co-founder and presently the environmental chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boracay (BCCI) Dieter Schrottmann says, “Our commitment to the environment and to preserving the beauty and spirit of Boracay is a love affair that started the first time I set foot on it 33 years ago, a love affair with Boracay that never ended and hopefully will never end. This deep-seated commitment to doing our share to make this place a better world is also at the very core of Mandala Spa’s business philosophy and it has touched and transformed countless team members to rise and become a shining example for the community.”

Recognized as the First Eco Spa in Asia Pacific and the only TÜV Rheinland Eco-certified Destination Spa in Asia, the distinct honor of receiving TÜV Rheinland’s distinguished seal of approval and certification guarantees that Mandala Spa & Villas’ safety and quality of products, systems and services, expertise and equipment, are a cut above the rest and consistent with the highest world standards – further reassurance that their guests are in the BEST of hands. Last year, MSV bagged their fourth World Travel Award (WTA) as the Philippines’ Leading Resort for 2011 for the third time, three years in a row, and was awarded the Philippines’ Leading Boutique Hotel and the Philippines’ Leading Spa Resort in 2008.

The ASEAN Green Hotel Award not only brings pride and recognition to the beach capital of the Philippines, Boracay Island (listed among CNN GO’s World’s Best Beaches, chosen as the Second Best Beach Destination in the World in TripAdvisor’s ‘Travelers’ Choice 2011’ awards, and fourth in the Top 10 Islands in the World list in Travel & Leisure Magazine’s ‘World’s Best Awards 2011’), Mandala Spa & Villas brings pride to the country as well, and received an ASEAN Tourism Standard Plaque, an ASEAN Tourism Standard Certification, signed by each ASEAN tourism minister, and the ASEAN Tourism Standard, issued by ASEAN Secretariat or an ASEAN Head of NTO for confirmation.

DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. shared their pride as he handed the plaques of recognition to Mandala Spa and Resort Villas and to Palawan’s Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort. “We at the DOT will try to provide the support environment that will attract more green investments.  Through the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), we may be able to extend ample incentives and assist in looking for financing windows to make easy the start-up investments into green technology.  We want to contribute significantly to the global effort of greening tourism,” Jimenez said. “We want to contribute significantly to the global effort of greening tourism,” he added. Department of Tourism Director Ma. Rica Bueno received the awards for the Philippines at an awarding ceremony held during the 2012 ASEAN Tourism Forum in Manado, Indonesia. (Source: tourism.gov.ph)

In a simple ceremony hosted by the Department of Tourism held last February 13 at Seawind Resort Boracay MSV’s Owner and Managing Director, Dieter Schrottmann, received the ASEAN Green Hotel Award Plaque from Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas Regional Director. Witnessing the momentous occasion which brought immense pride to the country’s most beloved island destination, were Department of Tourism Japan Head Leona Nepomuceno, Department of Tourism Osaka Office Lorelie Cruz, Esel Flores from the Office of Malay Municipality Mayor John Yap, and MSV representatives: Resident Manager Jove Schrottmann, Marketing Officer Rona Lipke and Environmental Officer Cris Cahilig.

To celebrate this achievement, MSV will continue with their green initiatives such as corporate tree planting and team building excursions, eco gifts and certificates to encourage others to participate, sharing wellness with the community by offering complementary yoga classes for elementary schools, free prenatal yoga classes for community members, joining beach cleanup activities, and so on. MSV has been answering the global call for environmental action, by planting a tree for every spa treatment and room night booked, with their successful green initiative called The TREETment Project (www.facebook.com/thetreetmentproject), since September 2009. In 2010, an unprecedented 10,000 seedlings were planted at the Nabaoy Watershed in the Aklan Mainland, which is Boracay Island’s main source of water. In 2011, an astounding 4,500 trees were successfully planted in Cogon, Malay, Aklan, in support for the National Greening Program, together with the DENR-CENRO Boracay, in cooperation of LGU-Malay. To find out how you or your business can participate in future greening activities, be a fan of The Treetment Project on Facebook.

For more information and reservations, please visit www.mandalaspa.com, email info@mandalaspa.com, or call (+63 36) 288 5858.

Please see complete Press Release here

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