Saving sea turtles was really one of the last experiences I thought I would encounter at The Ritz Carlton,Sanya, but this luxury hospitality brand cares beyond their rooms and facilities, especially when they are so aware of the beautiful surround that nature has bestowed on this corner of the world. The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya is a foremost proponent in saving sea turtles and preserving the ocean environment and has implemented a meaningful way to keep awareness high during 2014. In close collaboration with Sea Turtles 911, The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya has built a Sea Turtle Shelter for handicap turtles unable to survive in the wild and rehabilitated sea turtles waiting to be released back into their ocean home. When you are staying at the resort you can find The Sea Turtle Shelter, located near Uncle Martin’s Secret Garden.
The Ritz-Carlton Sanya preserving the ocean environment
To enhance the conservation efforts, Sea Turtles 911 and The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya also conducted a sea turtle conservation campaign on Weibo, titled “Sea Turtle’s Way Home,” to communicate the importance of the ocean eco-system, which includes its wildlife and sharing information on the life of the sea turtle as well as the threats they face on the campaign webpage.
The Ritz-Carlton Sanya preserving the ocean environment
The Founder of Sea Turtles 911, Mr. Frederick Yeh has held a strong interest in caring for animals since his childhood. He moved to America with his parents and studied at John Hopkins University to be a medical doctor. After graduation, he decided to give up the high paying job opportunities in the U.S. after helplessly witnessing the sale of sea turtles in China. Sea Turtles 911 is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles in the South China Sea. Their efforts are focused in China on the Hainan Island coastal regions, home to the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle and the endangered Green sea turtle. Their endeavours in Hainan are complicated, and perhaps all the more so crucial, in light of the fact that the region’s people have a long standing practice of hunting sea turtles for their meat and gathering sea turtle eggs from beaches to be sold as dining delicacies.
The Ritz-Carlton Sanya preserving the ocean environment
Mr. Michel Goget, General Manager of The Ritz Carlton, Sanya, shares the same vision with Mr. Frederick Yeh, in conserving our marine environment for future generations. He said, “Since 2009, we began to cooperate with Sea Turtles 911 to protect sea turtles through the recursions, foster cares, freeing animals and other activities. We made people aware of the importance of the protection of sea turtles through continuously educating our hotel guests and local fishermen. We spoke of rescuing sea turtles in the South China Sea in order to create more survival chances for the sea turtles in the Hainan region. At the end of 2013, we finally built a shelter for sea turtles. The handicap turtles can freely enjoy 5-star care as educational ambassadors of the ocean, and rehabilitated turtles have a temporary place to stay for careful behavioral monitoring just before they begin their journey back home into the ocean. Together with Sea Turtles 911, we have also developed a sea turtle conservation lesson, which focuses on educating our little guests and local school students about the importance of sea life and social responsibility at their early age, while they help feed endangered sea turtles at the shelter. The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya will continuously support this meaningful event to enliven The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints, which, in addition to environmental conservation, focuses on hunger, poverty relief and the well-being of children.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya is situated on an exclusive site along Yalong Bay in Hainan Province, The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya provides expansive views of the South China Sea and features 450 guest rooms, suites and private villas. Extensive recreational facilities include swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness center and a signature Ritz Kids® Club. Guests will also enjoy the largest Ritz-Carlton spa in the region designed by ESPA. Seven restaurants and lounges offer scenic views of the lagoon and the ocean.