When it comes to Sustainability, Six Senses Resorts & Spas is exemplary for the Spa sector. EC3 Global worked with Six Senses to develop an international benchmarking standard for the spa sector.
Six Senses Spas currently operate in the group’s Soneva, Six Senses Hideaway and Evason properties in Thailand, Vietnam, Oman, Jordan and the Maldives. They are also hosted in resorts and hotels in Spain, Mauritius, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, England and Qatar.
Six senses core purpose is “to Create innovative and enlightening experience that rejuvenates the guest love of SLOW LIFE (Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring–Fun-Experiences).
The basis for Evason Phuket Six Senses Spa’s environmental and social efforts comes from the Six Senses corporate head office’s Holistic Environmental Management Programme. From this guideline Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa has, in line with Green Globe Company Standard, developed an environmental Management System providing a clear direction of environmental and social efforts. Evason Phuket’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy focuses on energy management, water management, waste management, social commitment, protecting natural surroundings, air quality and noise control.
EC3 GLOBAL helps the properties to improve and tackle areas that still need development. “We are all working towards the same goal. Being able to have a professional support so our suppliers, management companies and guests can see and work with us towards the same aim” said Esperanza Abascal, Operations Executive Six Senses Spas Europe. What has the group reached by implementing EC3 Global’s strategies so far?
“RESULTS, RESULTS, RESULTS!! “We have made sustainable savings in energy just by addressing basic rules”, says Esperanza.
A wide variety of Sustainable initiatives have been implemented: Energy and Water efficient design, Waste management and recycling, Focus on local products, natural and chemical free products and much more.
Practical examples
The Earth Spa at Six Senses Hideway Hua Hin is a great example, where local building techniques was used to create a unique energy efficient spa: the mud cone buildings provide perfect spa experiences.
The Evason Phuket Six Senses Spa proved its environmental efforts through becoming the first Green Globe Benchmarked resort in Thailand in February 2006 and took the next step in September the same year by becoming the first Green Globe Certified resort in South East Asia. Through innovation and trendsetting The Evason Phuket is hoping to positively influence the region in driving environmental sustainable operations. The Evason Phuket was developed in the shell of an existing building providing an excellent example of sustainability in design. Added to this, are numerous features and practices implemented to minimise negative impacts and enhance positive ones. The Resort shows lots of creativity in its methods such as using a Waterfall to create insulation and cooling for the Kid’s Club which reduces the energy usage from the air-conditioning. They also have a self-sufficient water supply through collection of all the rain water which falls on the site, in their own storage reservoir and rain-water collection point. Instead of chlorine, the pool system works with Saline and ionization. Additionally, waste is improve by shredding and re-using of garden waste for garden, walkways and compost and has its own composting site where the kitchen waste and garden waste is composted creating soil, which is used for the garden. Community commitment is another focus in Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa. US$ 250,000 were raised after the Tsunami to rebuild a local School. The Six Senses Spa also supports the Phuket Autistic Centre and brings in a specialist doctor from out of town on several occasions to treat the kids.
When asked for an advice to businesses that are commencing this journey in sustainability, Arnfinn Oines, Responsible Conscience for Six Senses Spas answered: “To understand that sustainable business is the best way to increase profitability and satisfaction”.