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. To be presented with this award not only reaffirms Mandala Spa & Villas’ commitment to the environment, but also serves as a much-deserved recognition, inspiring the owners and staff (whom they refer to as “The Mandala family”) to continue to provide soulful care for each and every guest, as well as caring earnestly for the environment in every way possible.
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.”
From the very beginning in 2001, MSV was committed to the idea that a sustainable business must respect and nourish the environment, providing service excellence and well being to their guests, and to providing a culture of personal recognition and care for its team members. Nominated as Eco-Spa of the Year at the prestigious Asia Spa Awards 2011, MSV has received the Boracay Environmental WOW Award twice, as the Most Outstanding Establishment in 2006 and 2007. Setting an example in the country’s top travel destination, MSV was instrumental in Boracay’s environmental preservation through one of its founding members, Mandala Spa, a founding member of the BCCI back in 2004, who set-up the island’s first Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), the very foundation of an environmentally sustainable Boracay.
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. Quality conscious consumers all over the world know “TÜV” as the three trusted letters synonymous with TRUST, further validating Mandala Spa & Villas as the world’s most trusted. 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.
Beyond the accolades, MSV conveys their service philosophy, “To be kind to each other, be kind to the environment and to honor yourself.” In their commitment to a better world, MSV has proven time and again that they are making a difference, not only in the lives of the guests, but are indeed making a difference in the world.
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 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.
These phenomenal achievements reinforces Mandala Spa & Villas’ role as a driving force in responsible and sustainable global travel and tourism, and by taking the Philippines to the forefront of environmental awareness and environmental practices, the proudly Filipino property brings pride and honor to the country before the world’s top industry leaders. The prestigious award is an outstanding testament to the hard work of Mandala Spa & Villas’ management team, the staff, and its owners who continue to carry out their service mantra. MSV’s Resort Manager Jove Schrottmann says of his team, “I am proud of Mandala’s team who, in each one’s sincere commitment to make a difference in the world, we are able to show the island, the country, our ASEAN neighbors, and the world, that a small but dedicated group of people can cause major change for the better. We would like to be this change.”
To celebrate this achievement, MSV will continue with their green initiatives such as corporate tree planting and team building excursions, eco gifts and eco 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, planting many more trees, joining beach clean up activities, and so on. MSV has been answering the global call for environmental action, by planting a tree for every spa treatment purchased and for every booked room night, 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.
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Abegale Clariño, Sales & Marketing Manager
Tel: +63 36 288 5858
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Email: marketing@mandalaspa.com