Bamboo straws. Bamboo straws.

Anantara and Avani Hotels & Resorts have decided to end the use of plastic drinking straws at all hotels and resorts in Asia from 1 January 2018, with a view to extend the roll out to properties in the Middle East, Australasia and Europe by the end of 2018.

The two have combined to be the first major hotel brands to make a company-wide decision to eradicate plastic straws at every single property.

In northern Thailand, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is working with a local artist, Khamchan Yano, and perfected a way to keep bamboo strong whilst also ensuring it is hygienic and reusable. This social enterprise will supply the hotel and provide local employment. In Sri Lanka, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle has added a plot of bamboo to its existing organic garden which is tended by local villagers. 

Minor Hotels founder and CEO William Heinecke has been passionate about environmental projects and corporate sustainability: "As industry leaders, it’s important for us to play an active role in reducing the consumption and wastage of plastic globally. The enormous benefits for the health of the oceans makes this an obvious choice from both a business and environmental perspective. Across Asia, this will save 2.5 million plastic straws in the first year alone." 

Guests to all Anantara and Avani destinations are increasingly eco-conscious and the shift in demand for sustainable travel options means that the decision to end the use of plastic straws was a natural one.

Both Anantara and Avani hope to inspire more hospitality operators to follow this lead and to encourage  guests to continue refusing plastic straws.

This initiative will also be adopted by Oaks and Tivoli properties in Asia. The Elewana Collection properties will also follow once the plastic straw ban is applied to properties outside Asia.

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