Global leader in transformative wellness for over 28 years, Chiva-Som, is spotlighting its belief in holistic sustainability through a brand-new ‘Friends of Chiva-Som’ ambassador campaign. The campaign is dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural environment surrounding its two resorts in Hua Hin, Thailand and Al Ruwais, Qatar, as well as promoting sustainable tourism and wellness practices within the industry globally.

Chiva-Som continues to take firm steps to minimise its impact on the planet with a renewed commitment to sustainability that goes beyond its operations and into community outreach initiatives by bringing together a raft of regional and global-renowned icons in the fields of sport, food, entertainment and wellness for the ‘Friends of Chiva-Som’ campaign in 2023.

Some of the esteemed ‘Friends of Chiva-Som’ include Belgin Aksoy – founder of Global Wellness Day; Sufiya Sufi – ultra-long-distance runner; Michelin star Chef Dan Bark; Susie Ellis – Chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI); renowned Thai actress, Suquan Bulakul; amateur triathlete Tulyatep Uawithya and renowned chef Maximilian Müller, currently Chef de Cuisine at the two-Michelin star restaurant Pavillon at Baur au Lac in Switzerland. They will participate in activities such as mangrove planting to restore endangered ecosystems, delivering food aid projects to local communities and much more, focusing on several key areas including waste reduction, healthy lifestyle promotion and sustainable practices.

Commenting on the wellness brand's sustainability efforts, Krip Rojanastien, Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som, said, “We are thrilled to launch the 'Friends of Chiva-Som’ initiative, which is an important step in our ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and environmental conservation. To us at Chiva-Som, a thriving, healthy natural environment, and strong community are fundamental to living well.”

He added, “As a leader in the wellness industry, it is our responsibility to promote sustainable practices that benefit not only our guests but also the environment and the local community. We hope this will inspire our guests, employees, and communities to take action to protect our planet for future generations."

Ultra long distance runner and world record holder, Sufiya Sufi commented, “Sustainable wellness, in my opinion, is when we work to improve everyone's quality of life, whether they be people, pets, marine life, forest life and our natural environment. We are all interconnected and rely on each other to survive in this world. So, we have to be more responsible and ethical towards our environment and Mother Nature. I really appreciate Chiva-Som for taking such thoughtful initiatives towards a better tomorrow while also providing the best hospitality experience in a sustainable manner.”

Global Wellness Day founder, Belgin Aksoy, said, “Sustainable wellness is finding our balance mentally and physically by adding good habits to our lives and doing good things for the planet. To me, wellness is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is an honour to be chosen as a ‘Friend of Chiva-Som’. I am looking forward to being at Chiva-Som Hua Hin this year and joining the team on their annual medical mission to visit remote hillside villages in Thailand to provide complimentary health checkups, medical and food facilities to the locals.”

In 2022, Chiva-Som Hua Hin was able to reduce its electricity consumption by 2% and water consumption by 38%. In addition, 73% of the waste generated was recovered from landfill as a result of conducting theoretical and practical training for staff to improve waste separation; introducing a woodchipper to handle 100% of landscape waste; and by composting food waste. These positive environmental outcomes also had an auxiliary financial benefit, reducing the resort’s energy costs by USD15,000 last year despite electricity tariffs going up almost 40% by the end of 2022.

Chiva-Som Hua Hin also uses filtered water bottled locally in glass containers and has completed the installation of an onsite water bottling facility, launching later this year, that will produce all mineralised water in reusable glass water bottles for guest and staff consumption. This has significant health benefits whilst reducing plastic pollution and carbon footprint.

Two Michelin star Chef Maximilian Müller will collaborate with Chiva-Som’s Executive Chef, Sinchai Srivipa, to promote World Food Day among the local Hua Hin community. Their aim is to inspire healthy eating habits and wellness cuisine for all, encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles and educating them on the positive impact this will have on the local community.

Chiva-Som also launched its second wellness resort in Qatar in 2022, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, to introduce its concept of sustainable wellness to a whole new community. The first resort to offer dedicated family wellness programmes, Zulal is located on a beautiful stretch of beach, with an expanse of shoreline inhabited by many species of wetland birds.

Qatar is an emerging destination for tourism, wellness and sustainability, presenting an opportunity for Chiva-Som to lead the movement for sustainable operations in the destination and establish best practices, such as more sustainable supply chains, benchmarking and managing water and energy consumption, and lobbying for better nationwide waste management systems.

Chiva-Som has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, and the "Friends of Chiva-Som" initiative is the latest example of its dedication to promoting environmental conservation. Guests can enjoy a rejuvenating stay at Chiva-Som, knowing that their experience is also eco-friendly and sustainable.