PHUKET: The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation with 72 member properties, has embarked on an exciting new era with the appointment of a new senior leadership team.
David Steyn has been appointed General Manager of the all-inclusive Bensley Collection - Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia s South Cardamom National Park.
Born in Johannesburg, David has 13 years of hospitality industry and management experience at high-end safari and beach lodges in South Africa, East Africa and Bhutan under his belt, including three assignments at the prestigious Singita, Sabi Sands.
/ Posted on 26 April, 2021 12:32
The global travel freeze has put tremendous pressure on environmental and wildlife conservation efforts, as funding from supporting tourism businesses has diminished while economic hardships have forced some locals to return to detrimental activities, notes Bill Bensley, founder and creative director at BENSLEY.
To keep conservation efforts going, Bensley, who is behind the renowned eco-friendly luxury resort, Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia’s Cardamom National Park, has taken over park protection financing on his own.
In this new episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions video series, Bensley also talks about how he is supporting resort staff impacted by the tourism crisis as well as local villagers through his Shinta Mani Foundation’s organic farms, his work with the Wildlife Alliance, and the fun remedies he has prescribed to encourage resort bookings and donations to conservation efforts.
/ Posted on 12 January, 2021 11:26
Encouraged by its successful sustainable organic farming project in Cambodia, which was trialled in early 2000s, as well as a growing movement towards farm-to-fork dining concepts, Shinta Mani Foundation has expanded the scope of its efforts.
A new 9.9-acre plot of land in Siem Reap’s Doun Ounn Village now joins the Foundation’s existing 4.9-acre farm in Takos Village, some 30 minutes from Shinta Mani hotels. Managed by a team of three locals, the farm grows a wide variety of crops, such as basil, eggplants, morning glory and sugar cane. Harvests are used in the Shinta Mani hotels and staff canteen as well as sold to other hotels and the community.