logo
Newborn Elephants and Endangered Dholes Thrive in Minor Hotels' Protected Cardamom Forest

Newborn Elephants and Endangered Dholes Thrive in Minor Hotels' Protected Cardamom Forest

Hospitality Net07-05-2025

A landmark two-month camera-trap survey has revealed that the endangered dhole (Asiatic wild dog) still roams, and that a breeding herd of Asian elephants now finds safe haven, inside the 18,000-hectare forest concession that Minor Hotels has leased and protected since 2014 in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains.
Conducted by Wildlife Alliance and sponsored by the Dhole Conservation Fund, the study deployed 60 motion-sensitive cameras in a grid pattern from February through March this year. Dholes appeared on seven cameras, prompting rangers to focus the full array on that hotspot in May to refine data on pack size and behaviour.
The dhole is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 2,500 mature animals left worldwide. The species has vanished from much of Cambodia, and reliable national population data are lacking. Although no more than two dholes appeared in any single frame, the latest images verify the species' presence, and an expanded camera grid equipped with advanced recognition software will now gauge pack dynamics and habitat use more accurately.
Equally significant, the survey captured female and juvenile elephants in the concession for the first time. Cambodia is believed to have only three remaining breeding elephant populations, underscoring the Minor‑backed concession's role as a critical nursery.
Other images documented a mother sun bear with her cub, Sunda pangolin, clouded leopards; marbled, fishing and leopard cats, silvered langurs, pig-tailed macaques, sambar deer and a robust prey base of small deer, birds and rodents.
The 18,000-hectare concession, once earmarked for clear-felling, forms the core protection zone surrounding Cardamom Tented Camp, a partnership between Minor Hotels, Wildlife Alliance and YAANA Ventures that channels eco-tourism revenue – alongside donations from the Minor Hotels-run Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) – directly into forest law-enforcement.
I'm thrilled to see evidence of young and female elephants using the forest that we have been protecting for over ten years now as a nursery. These results are a direct pay-off for thousands of kilometres patrolled by rangers and every snare they pull. They also remind us we must keep this forest standing and poacher-free for the next sixty years to protect these young animals through adulthood. John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation at Minor Hotels
In 2024 alone, camp-supported rangers completed 486 foot, bike and river patrols covering more than 27,000 kilometres and removed 1,175 snares and traps, creating the safe conditions now attracting breeding herds of elephants and sustaining endangered predators like the dhole.
This camera-trap survey proves the presence of newborn elephant calves and dholes and shows what happens when the private sector truly steps up. This land once slated for clear-cutting has been turned into a living sanctuary that now funds rangers, empowers REDD+ community projects and shelters everything from Asiatic wild dogs to one of Cambodia's last breeding elephant herds. That transformation is exactly what public-private conservation should look like across Southeast Asia. Suwanna Gauntlett, Founder & CEO of Wildlife Alliance
Cardamom Tented Camp is one of several flagship conservation programmes spearheaded by Minor Hotels worldwide. In parallel with field projects from Thailand's Golden Triangle to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls Game Reserve, the group has committed to becoming a net-zero organisation by 2050.
About Minor Hotels
Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with over 560 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 58 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its eight hotel brands – Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks and Tivoli – and a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.
Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.
Discover our world at minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
View source

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Minor Hotels Enhances Dubai Portfolio with Palm West Beach Addition
Minor Hotels Enhances Dubai Portfolio with Palm West Beach Addition

Hospitality Net

time26-05-2025

  • Hospitality Net

Minor Hotels Enhances Dubai Portfolio with Palm West Beach Addition

Minor Hotels, a global hotel owner, operator and investor, has signed a strategic hotel management agreement for a prominent beachfront property on Dubai's iconic Palm West Beach in collaboration with valued partners, Seven Tides. Effective by 1st August 2025, the addition of this new resort and serviced residences—currently operating as Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel—to Minor Hotels' managed portfolio further strengthens the group's growing footprint in the United Arab Emirates and establishes it as the largest operator on the Trunk of the Palm. The resort, which includes 273 hotel keys and 287 serviced apartments, boasts a premier beachfront location adjacent to NH Collection Dubai The Palm, which launched in February 2023. This agreement will see Minor Hotels' total key count on Palm Jumeirah increase to 1,524 keys across three properties including Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and NH Collection Dubai The Palm under three distinctive brands, reinforcing the group's long-term commitment to the region. Located on the vibrant Palm West Beach, one of Dubai's most desirable lifestyle destinations, the property offers direct access to a lively beachfront promenade featuring upscale restaurants, beach clubs, and entertainment venues. Its prime location also places guests within easy reach of major and is a convenient 30-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travellers. The property comprises a range of room and suite options, and the 287 serviced apartments include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. Guests can enjoy six dining venues, from a specialty restaurant and pool bar, along with a private beach, infinity pool, lazy river, and extensive wellness and family-friendly facilities. Minor Hotels will also implement a soft refurbishment of the guest rooms and public spaces prior to a rebranding of the property to be announced later in 2025, underlining the group's commitment to delivering value for both guests and partners while enhancing the property's market positioning. This expanded collaboration with Seven Tides represents a strategic alignment of values and vision. Palm Jumeirah is one of the most dynamic hospitality markets in the world, and securing a dominant presence on West Beach enables us to bring our elevated guest experiences to a location that perfectly embodies the energy and ambition of Dubai. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels This is a landmark moment for Minor Hotels as we expand our presence in one of the world's most competitive hospitality markets. This new addition not only reflects our strategic vision for growth in high-demand urban resort destinations but also strengthens our valued relationship with Seven Tides. Together, we look forward to elevating the guest experience and delivering long-term success on Palm Jumeirah. Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Minor Hotels Middle East & Africa This is a strategic appointment as Minor Hotels already successfully manages our existing asset, the neighbouring NH Collection Dubai The Palm, and the agreement will provide enhanced synergy between the hotels. Furthermore, the proven track record of Minor Hotels in delivering elevated guest experiences, combined with their operational expertise, makes them the ideal partner to manage this property. We look forward to a successful collaboration that heightens the appeal of Palm West Beach as one of Dubai's premier hospitality destinations. Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides With this latest addition, Minor Hotels continues its dynamic expansion across the UAE, currently operating 17 properties under 5 brands. The group remains focused on identifying strategic opportunities in key global destinations, leveraging strong partnerships and local market insight to drive sustainable growth. About Minor Hotels Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with over 560 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 58 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its eight hotel brands – Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks and Tivoli – and a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners. Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY. Discover our world at and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Tourism for Peace: Why the World Needs Unity Now More Than Ever
Tourism for Peace: Why the World Needs Unity Now More Than Ever

Hospitality Net

time26-05-2025

  • Hospitality Net

Tourism for Peace: Why the World Needs Unity Now More Than Ever

In a world fractured by conflict and fatigued by geopolitics, tourism may seem like a footnote. Frivolous. Secondary. Indulgent. But it's not. Tourism is one of the most underutilized tools for peace and diplomacy in our time. Overlooked, underestimated may be but never irrelevant. In fact, it may be the most profound act of global service we still have. If war is the darkest form of human exchange, then tourism is its most luminous. It is a gentle revolution - one that expands minds, opens hearts, and bridges the divides that headlines and politics so often deepen. It allows us to encounter the world not through the lens of fear or power, but through the stories of its people. To travel is to share. To listen. To learn. And in doing so, to disarm prejudice and dissolve bias. Because when you've looked into someone's eyes, heard their story, stood on their soil—hatred finds no place to grow. This is not poetic idealism. It's political realism. Tourism, when placed at the heart of global leadership is not a soft sector. It is a soft power. And if I am elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism, I will place this power squarely on the global agenda. Because tourism is not just about GDP - it's about GHP: Global Human Possibility. Over 110 armed conflicts rage as we speak in different parts of the world. And yet, every conflict is also a call for healing, for rebuilding, for reconnection. History has proven the power of tourism to do exactly that. In Rwanda, in Colombia, in Cambodia, in Bosnia, in Northern Ireland - tourism has helped transform trauma into transformation. In these places, it is not just economic - it is existential. Imagine this: 1.3 billion people crossing borders each year. That's 1.3 billion chances for peace. 1.3 billion opportunities to step out of echo chambers and into empathy. Even if only 1% of those travelers became peace ambassadors, that's 13 million grassroots diplomats - planting seeds of trust and understanding where policy has failed. Tourism diplomacy doesn't wait for backroom deals. It happens in living rooms, marketplaces, and village paths. It empowers local communities to rise on their own terms. It doesn't impose. It invites. That's the leadership UN Tourism needs. Not status quo stewardship - but bold, conscious stewardship. Not just unity in structure - but unity in purpose. Because the stakes are no longer just economic. In a fractured world, tourism is not a luxury - it's a lifeline. And the next Secretary-General must be ready to lead it that way.

FHS Africa 2025 Honours David Green William E. Heinecke and Hala Matar Choufany for Visionary Leadership and Lasting Impact on the Hospitality Industry
FHS Africa 2025 Honours David Green William E. Heinecke and Hala Matar Choufany for Visionary Leadership and Lasting Impact on the Hospitality Industry

Hospitality Net

time21-05-2025

  • Hospitality Net

FHS Africa 2025 Honours David Green William E. Heinecke and Hala Matar Choufany for Visionary Leadership and Lasting Impact on the Hospitality Industry

The 2025 Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa Awards will honour three exceptional individuals whose leadership, vision, and integrity have profoundly shaped the hospitality industry in Africa and beyond. David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, will be recognised with the FHS Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Award; William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor Hotels, will receive the FHS Leadership Award and Hala Matar Choufany, President of HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia, will be presented with the FHS Excellence Award. The awards were nominated by the FHS Africa Advisory Board, a group of senior industry leaders who collectively represent decades of insight and influence across the global hospitality ecosystem. Their selections reflect not only individual excellence, but also the values that FHS Africa seeks to champion: ethical leadership, inclusive development, and long-term impact. William E. Heinecke, one of Asia's most influential entrepreneurs, was honoured with the FHS Leadership Award in recognition of a nearly six-decade-long career that began with a bold idea and just US$1,200. At the age of 17, Heinecke registered his first company under the name 'Minor' - a nod to being underage at the time - and went on to create Minor Hotels, a diversified hospitality group that today operates more than 530 hotels across 56 countries under brands including Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Elewana, and Tivoli. His acquisition of NH Hotel Group in 2018 marked a turning point for global expansion and established Minor as a powerhouse in the international hospitality scene. A vocal advocate for sustainability and social impact, Heinecke also founded the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, the Heinecke Foundation for education, and the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation. His accolades include HOTELS Magazine's Corporate Hotelier of the World and Entrepreneur of the Year at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards. Now Chairman of the Board of Minor International, Heinecke continues to guide the group's long-term strategy and philanthropic mission. David Green's recognition reflects more than a decade of transformative leadership at the helm of Cape Town's iconic V&A Waterfront. Since his appointment in 2009, Green has guided the historic precinct through a R8 billion reinvention, turning it into one of Africa's most successful mixed-use destinations. Under his stewardship, the Waterfront has become a blueprint for sustainable urban development—supporting nearly 80,000 jobs, empowering local entrepreneurs, and embedding environmental and social responsibility at the core of every initiative. From the launch of the Zeitz MOCAA Museum and Makers Landing to the expansion of the hotel and hospitality portfolio now comprising 14 hotels and over 1,800 rooms, Green's legacy lies in his deep commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and purpose-driven development. Everything we do is viewed through the lenses of job creation, inclusivity, and sustainability, Green reflected. It's about ensuring that our work aligns with the values of our people, our community, and our environment. Hala Matar Choufany, recipient of the FHS Excellence Award, has set new benchmarks in hospitality advisory through her role as President of HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia. The first woman to hold this position, she has led over 5,000 advisory engagements that have shaped hotel investments, asset strategies, and valuations across key markets. Her leadership is grounded in transparency, ethical decision-making, and long-term value creation principles she champions not just in boardrooms, but also in classrooms and industry forums worldwide A respected voice in global hospitality discourse, Choufany is committed to nurturing talent, supporting sustainable development in emerging markets, and driving responsible investment practices across Africa and beyond. True leadership is not about titles or accolades , she said. It's defined by trust, integrity, and the impact created through knowledge-sharing and collaboration. We are absolutely delighted to be recognising William, Hala, and David at FHS Africa this year. Each of them represents the very best of our industry—visionary leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to positive change. Their stories are a testament to what is possible when passion meets purpose. FHS Africa continues to be the premier hospitality investment platform on the continent, and honouring these individuals reflects the exceptional calibre of conversation and connection that defines this event. Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench FHS Africa 2025 continues its mission to elevate the continent's hospitality potential by spotlighting the people and ideas driving sustainable growth. Through these awards, the Summit honours those who not only lead with distinction but also shape the future of hospitality across Africa and around the world. Strategic Partners: Accor, BWH Hotels, Hilton, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group Headline Sponsors: ACT, CHIC, Hansgrohe, TUI Hotels & Resorts Sponsors: Aleph Hospitality, CityBlue Hotels, EQUATE, Knight Frank, JLL, Millat Group, St Helena Government, STR, TIME Hotels, TV5 Monde, Valor Hospitality Partners Event Ambassadors: Develop Hotels Inc, Hotel Partners Africa, Voltere by Egis, W Hospitality Group Official Carriers: Discover Airlines, Kenya Airways Supported By: South Africa Tourism About FHS Africa For over a decade, the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa) has been the launchpad for hospitality investment in Africa, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming the continent's tourism and hospitality landscape. As a beacon of opportunity, FHS Africa brings together global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders committed to turning potential into reality. About The Bench The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change. Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight. The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it's about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow. Discover more at

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store