As part of its commitment to protect the environment and in celebration of Earth Day, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives will launch a weekly programme of green activities and fine dining options on 22 April 2011 aiming to inspire guests in sharing the resort’s responsibility of caring for nature.

Featuring eco-friendly experiences such as a family nature walk in the resort’s jungle and a candlelit meditation class, Villingili’s Green Friday programme offers guests plenty of opportunities to enjoy a luxurious holiday experience without compromising the natural environment. The programme also includes educational talks on marine life and biodiversity, aiming to increase guests’ awareness of the importance of preserving the environment for generations to come.

For a healthy start to a green day, guests can join an invigorating yoga class soothed by the roaring sound of the ocean or run along the resort’s five-kilometre jogging trail. After a relaxing breakfast by the beach, ocean enthusiasts will enjoy meeting the resort’s marine biologist at the Eco Centre for an interesting turtle talk before heading to the house reef on their thrilling quest. In the afternoon, adventurers will choose to explore the neighbouring local islands by bicycle, while families and nature lovers may prefer to learn the secrets of Villingili’s jungle with a guided nature walk and tree-planting activity. As night comes, foodies will meet the chef in his garden for a dining experience featuring the best of local produce amidst the delicate aromas of lemon grass and sweet basil. With guests comfortably stretched out on a beach lounger under a sky of countless shinning stars, a movie on the beach will offer a perfect end to a day in communion with nature.

Villingili’s Green Friday programme complements the existing environmental initiatives carried out at the resort. For example, the investment of a bottling plant with reusable glass bottles allows the resort to cut the consumption of 240,000 plastic bottles a year, while solar energy provides hot water in all guests’ villas. At the Eco Centre, the focus is on marine protection with turtles and manta rays conservations programmes.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts remains committed to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner while balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders. In striving to be a leader in corporate citizenship and sustainable development, a corporate-level CSR Committee drives the company’s initiatives in the strategic areas of stakeholder relations, environment, health and safety, supply chain and employees. Under the umbrella of sustainability, Shangri-La’s social responsibility programme consists of the two elements of “embrace” and “sanctuary”.  “Embrace” focuses on Shangri-La’s Caring People Project, which aims to promote the highest level of education and health support in underprivileged communities. In “sanctuary”, the programme concentrates on Shangri-La’s Care for Nature Project, which promotes the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. For more information, please access the CSR section on www.shangri-la.com.