Sri Lanka hotel aids in release of 1000 baby turtles

LOS ANGELES, California – In line with the John Keells Leisure Group pledge, “I Will Care,” Green Globe member, the Bentota Beach Hotel in Bentota, Sri Lanka, joined hands with the Victor Hasselbl

LOS ANGELES, California – In line with the John Keells Leisure Group pledge, “I Will Care,” Green Globe member, the Bentota Beach Hotel in Bentota, Sri Lanka, joined hands with the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Center Koskoda to release 1,000 newly-born turtles to the sea – commemorating World Turtle Day on May 23, 2013. The program was organized by the management and staff of the Bentota Beach Hotel.

The key objective of the event was to display the effort that has been taken by the Bentota Beach Hotel to protect the environment. A donation was made to Mr. C. Chandrasiri Abrew, Project Manager at the Research Center. Mr. Marlon Robert, executives, and staff members of the Bentota Beach property took part in the event and released turtles to the sea.

World Turtle Day is an annual event, created to celebrate and increase awareness of turtle species around the world. It was started 13 years ago by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), who have rescued and re-homed over 3,000 turtles since then. According to the ATR, turtles and tortoises are threatened by the exotic food trade, habitat destruction, global warming, and the illegal pet trade.

As for marine turtles, all species are listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered. A wide range of programs worldwide are dedicated to turtle conservation, prioritizing research, and making sure that federal activities don’t jeopardize species.

The Bentota Beach Hotel is deeply committed to protect, preserve, and nurture the environment. Community-related activities, such as beach cleaning and tree planting at the shores are initiated by the property on a regular basis. To protect sea turtles, simple acts such as not leaving trash on the beach and keeping an eye out for them when boating in their habitat, have a huge effect. Near turtle nesting beaches, it is important to follow lighting restrictions to not disorientate the hatchlings.

ABOUT BENTOTA BEACH HOTEL

The Bentota Beach Hotel is part of John Keells Hotels PLC, which is the hospitality leader in the Sri Lanka and Maldivian sector. The hotel, designed and based on an ancient Dutch fort by the famous Geoffrey Bawa, is situated in the southern coastal zone of Sri Lanka, at the point where the Bentota River flows into the Indian Ocean. Bentota is known for its stretches of indigo sea and golden sands, a peaceful perfect beach sanctuary to escape to. The property offers 130 superlative rooms and 3 suites, all of which have sea-front or river views. All rooms are color-washed in somber beiges and whites and decorated with bright colored bed spreads and pillows. The resort offers a wide array of services, including a water sport center, tennis courts, and the Azmaara Spa.

Contact: Sanjeeva Perera, General Manager, Bentota Beach Hotel, Bentota, Sri Lanka, Phone: +94 (0) 34 2275176-7 / 2270524, Fax: +94 (0) 718440159, Email [email protected] , www.johnkeellshotels.com

ABOUT GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION

Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe Certification is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, supported by the United Nations Foundation. For information, visit www.greenglobe.com

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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