Located along 17 kilometres of unspoiled beachfront and adjacent to the protected mangroves of Belungkor, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is surrounded by pristine nature. Protecting it is the goal of the new ‘Dollar for Deeds’ sustainability initiative the resort is launching from April 2023.
Anantara’s brand-wide CSR programme, ‘Dollar for Deeds’ helps properties to raise funds for a range of worthy causes by matching guests’ donations during their stay. With the roll-out of ‘Dollar for Deeds’ at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, guests can now opt to have MYR5 per night added to their bill, with the property matching the donation ringgit for ringgit.
The money raised will go to ReWild Desaru, a not-for-profit organisation set-up with the support of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn Bhd to protect resident wildlife species, as well as encouraging native birds and other wildlife to return to Desaru Coast. ReWild Desaru has established a network of greenways and wildlife corridors that allow the safe migration of wildlife within Desaru Coast and beyond to ensure the long-term viability and health of the native wildlife gene-pool. ReWild Desaru also supports rainforest research at Panti Recreational Forest, which includes camera trapping to develop a database of local wildlife.
“For decades, Anantara Hotels has been committed to creating luxury travel experiences that also benefit nature, people and culture. With Dollar for Deeds, we are joining our sister properties in the region in their drive to give back to our local communities,” said Christian Gerart, General Manager at Anantara Desaru Coast & Villas. “Our ultimate goal is to help reforest Desaru Coast with suitable native species of trees that provide food for herbivores and frugivores, including mammals, birds and insects.”
In addition to making monetary donations, guests can also join the resort team on their weekly seed collection and tree planting drives, or help with changing camera batteries as part of the Panti Recreational Forest monitoring project.