Onyx Hospitality Group, the Thai hotel company that operates the Amari brand, has launched a new CSR programme that aims to save the Asian honeybee from extinction.
‘Plan Bee’, as the programme is known, will roll-out beekeeping initiatives at two of Onyx’s properties in Bangkok – the Oriental Residence Bangkok and Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok.
“Honeybees are key pollinators in the environment today. It is estimated that one-third of all the food plants we eat depend specifically on bees for pollination. In spite of the important role bees play in the global food chain and ecosystem, honeybees… have come under threat due to a number of factors, including the use of pesticides and planting of genetically-engineered crops, loss of habitat and biodiversity, increases in various pests and diseases due to changing weather conditions, pollution and poor husbandry techniques,” the company said in a statement.
To revive the fortunes of the Asian honeybee, Oriental Residence Bangkok has partnered with Raitong Organics Farm to ensure the successful delivery of this programme. Apiculturists (bee experts) will visit the property to train and educate hotel staff in the art of beekeeping. The hotel will then use these skills to manage its own on-site beehives.
Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok is has also partnered with Raitong Organics Farm to introduce a rural beekeeping initiative. Through this scheme, Shama will provide a farming community with the resources to maintain its own Asian honeybees.
“Plan Bee is an initial step to introduce urban beekeeping to Thailand and beyond,” said Lisa Thomas, Onyx’s director of CSR. “We believe we can help by creating a safe urban sanctuary for the honeybees driven out of rural areas by pesticides. Honey generated from these bees will be used at Oriental Residence Bangkok… and we will develop our bee story even further, by educating our guests, colleagues and urban residents on the importance of bee conservation.”
