KOH SAMUI, Thailand (July 3, 2020) — Banyan Tree Samui, a luxury 88-villa resort commanding spectacular vistas of an idyllic beach cove, has been awarded the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certificate by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in recognition of the hotel’s upgraded health and hygiene standards and commitment to guest safety.
SHA certification was introduced by TAT in May to encourage not only hotels and resorts but all tourism-related enterprises, including restaurants, spas, department stores and major attractions, to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 as Thailand looks to reopen to international travelers in the near future.
After meeting all required hygiene and quality controls following a rigorous inspection, approved businesses may display the SHA logo for two years to reassure visitors.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of this SHA initiative,” said Banyan Tree Samui General Manager Remko Kroesen. “Our hygiene manager and her team have worked relentlessly since the outbreak of the virus to ensure that the resort meets every guest’s highest expectations.”
Among Banyan Tree Samui’s latest innovations is a “Safe Sanctuary” policy which promises guests a “contactless journey” from check-in to check-out, as well as enhanced cleanliness protocols and appropriate distancing at all on-site facilities such as restaurants, the spa and fitness center.
In addition, each visitor is presented a Portier smartphone by their personal “Villa Host” upon arrival at the hotel. They can thereafter use the phone throughout their stay to make any requests, such as ordering in-villa F&B services, arranging tours, and coordinating housekeeping service. The phone is user-friendly and delivers all of its features in English, Russian, Chinese, German or French.
TAT said that the Amazing Thailand SHA certification is a unique certification scheme aimed at preparing the Thai tourism industry for the recovery period post-COVID-19 pandemic and enhancing confidence amongst international and domestic tourists.
Among the recent recipients of the SHA certificate is the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the kingdom’s most iconic attraction, which routinely takes in some 8 million visitors per year.
