One Resort Brand Teaches Guests About Environmental, Cultural Protection in Thailand

According to a recent study from Booking.com, nearly 69 percent of travelers want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived. OUTRIGGER Resort works to teach travelers a beach vacation can be more than just a beautiful, relaxing getaway; it can give travelers a deeper understanding of the destination’s people, traditions and environment. Spanning four resorts in Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Phi Phi Island and Phuket, OUTRIGGER brings this intention to life with locally shaped experiences centered on ocean health, cultural connection and well-being to its surrounding communities.

Each resort and destination tell a different story. Koh Samui turns food waste into nourishment for a nearby farm, and all baby crabs caught are helped back to the sea. At Khao Lak, guests can participate in restoring a mangrove forest, as well as learn about native sea turtles. Guests visiting Phi Phi Island learn the traditions of the seafaring community and how the culture has been shaped by the Andaman Sea. Phuket, meanwhile, blends early morning walks along Surin Beach with helping clean and care for its shoreline.

All of these local efforts help form the OUTRIGGER Zone, the company’s conservation initiative, to teach travelers and locals alike to protect ocean health and support communities across its global resort portfolio.

“Caring for the ocean also means supporting the people, traditions and local knowledge that have shaped these destinations for generations,” said Damian Clowes, regional managing director, Asia Pacific, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group. “By working alongside local partners, we can help guests experience southern Thailand in a way that feels more personal, meaningful and connected to place.”