AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai Supports Watershed Restoration Through Nature Positive Conservation Initiative

As a hospitality management company committed to responsible tourism, Unicorn Hospitality believes that protecting the destinations we operate in is fundamental to creating long-term value for our guests, local communities, and the environment.

This commitment was recently demonstrated through the participation of AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai in a large-scale watershed restoration initiative in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai, supporting the conservation of one of Northern Thailand's most important natural resources.

Advancing Nature Positive Tourism in Chiang Mai

On 30 June 2026, representatives from AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai joined government agencies, private sector organisations, civil society groups, and local communities at the "PES Empowering Watershed Communities: Reforestation and Check Dam Construction to Restore the Mae Taeng Watershed" programme.

Organised by the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO) in partnership with the Raks Thai Foundation, the initiative promotes the concept of Nature Positive: Halting Loss and Restoring Nature for the Sustainability of People and Ecosystems through Thailand's Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) framework.

The event brought together more than 220 participants, led by the Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province, to strengthen collaboration between businesses and local communities in restoring forests and protecting upstream water resources.

Supporting Communities Through the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Framework

The PES framework encourages organisations that benefit from healthy ecosystems to directly support the communities responsible for protecting them.

Rather than viewing conservation as solely the responsibility of local residents, the programme creates long-term partnerships where businesses contribute towards sustainable forest management, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, and regenerative agriculture.

For Unicorn Hospitality, this reflects our belief that successful hospitality extends beyond hotel operations and includes meaningful contributions to the destinations in which we operate.

Turning Commitment into Action

As part of the conservation activities, the AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai team worked alongside local communities to restore the Mae Taeng watershed through practical environmental initiatives.

Activities included:

• Planting 1,000 native tree saplings, including wild jackfruit, Indian gooseberry, and Burmese grape, helping restore biodiversity while creating sustainable food sources for wildlife and surrounding communities.
• Constructing 15 community check dams, designed to retain moisture, reduce soil erosion, minimise wildfire risks, restore degraded waterways, and improve long-term water security across the watershed.

The Mae Taeng watershed serves as one of Chiang Mai's primary water sources, making its protection essential for both local communities and the wider region.

Recognising Businesses That Invest in Nature

During the programme, organisations supporting the Payment for Ecosystem Services initiative were recognised for their contributions to environmental conservation.

AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai was honoured to receive a certificate of appreciation alongside respected organisations including IBM Thailand, Boonthavorn, Syngenta Crop Protection, and Krungthai-AXA, recognising their commitment to supporting sustainable natural resource management.

The recognition reflects a growing movement among businesses to invest not only in economic development but also in the long-term health of ecosystems and local communities.

Building a More Sustainable Hospitality Industry

At Unicorn Hospitality, sustainability is not viewed as a standalone initiative but as an essential part of responsible hotel management.

By supporting environmental restoration, empowering local communities, and participating in collaborative conservation programmes, we aim to help preserve the natural landscapes that define each destination while creating lasting positive impact for future generations.

The participation of AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai in the Mae Taeng watershed restoration project represents another step in Unicorn Hospitality's ongoing commitment to responsible tourism, community partnership, and sustainable hospitality development throughout Thailand.