Southern Thailand ecolodge recognized for restoring nature and supporting local communities through regenerative tourism.
Responsible tourism pioneer Anurak Lodge has been honored with the Regenerative Tourism award at the 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards Southeast Asia, recognizing its long-term commitment to ecological restoration and community-based tourism in southern Thailand.
The regional award ceremony took place on 7 July in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, during the International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH). Among six award categories, Anurak Lodge stood out for its regenerative tourism approach, which aims to leave destinations in a better condition than before rather than simply reducing tourism’s environmental impact.
Located on the edge of Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani Province, the 19-key ecolodge has previously received sustainability honors from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and SKAL International.
Staff Commitment Drives Regenerative Tourism Success
Accepting the award on behalf of the lodge’s team, George Newling-Ward, Lodge Manager of Anurak Lodge, credited the staff for embracing responsible tourism across every aspect of the operation.
“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.”
Established in 2016, Anurak Lodge was founded with the vision of creating tourism that benefits both people and nature through ecological recovery. The word “Anurak” means “to protect” or “to conserve” in Thai, reflecting the property’s conservation-focused philosophy.
Rainforest Rising Restores Native Forest
One of the lodge’s flagship conservation initiatives is the Rainforest Rising project. For the past seven years, the team has been replacing commercial oil palm plantations with indigenous rainforest species that provide habitat and food for local wildlife.
Guests are invited to participate by planting native trees, including:
- Black plum
- Burmese grape tree
- Cowa mangosteen
These species improve insect pollination while supporting bird populations and wider biodiversity throughout the surrounding rainforest.
Sustainability Extends Beyond Conservation
In addition to reforestation, Anurak Lodge continues to strengthen its sustainability practices throughout daily operations.
The lodge recently installed a compost-making machine to supply nutrients for its vegetable garden. Meanwhile, management monitors reductions in waste, single-use plastics, and energy consumption, publishing the results in an annual sustainability report.
The ecolodge currently employs 23 staff, while its tourism experiences are designed to generate benefits for nearby communities.
Visitors can participate in a range of locally led activities, including:
- Guided rainforest hikes
- Bamboo rafting
- Mountain biking
- Thai cooking classes
- Tree-planting experiences
Responsible Tourism Awards Celebrate Regional Leadership
The 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards Southeast Asia recognize tourism businesses that demonstrate leadership in creating positive environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Besides regenerative tourism, awards were presented across categories including:
- Local economic benefit
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Nature-positive action
- Cultural diversity
- Climate change adaptation
Anurak Lodge’s latest achievement further strengthens its reputation as one of Thailand’s leading examples of regenerative tourism, where conservation, community engagement, and meaningful visitor experiences work together to create lasting positive impact.
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