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Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach and WildAid Join Forces to Advance Thailand’s Marine Protected Areas and Strengthen Reef Restoration
The coastline of Phuket Island is home to remarkable nearshore coral reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and other nature-based tourism. Many of its beaches also serve as important nesting grounds for sea turtles. However, Phuket’s marine biodiversity is under significant pressure from human activities, including coastal development, wastewater discharge, anchoring, plastic pollution, discarded fishing gear, concentrated tourism, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change.
Despite these pressures, a 2024 survey conducted by local NGO Love Wildlife Foundation revealed that Merlin House Reef remains a healthy coral ecosystem, housing 24 different coral groups along with 14 groups of reef fish.
This initiative with WildAid will leverage the ongoing conservation efforts by the hotel by committing to support the expansion of Thailand’s marine protected areas and contribute to the global ’30×30′ initiative, which aims to safeguard at least 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. As part of the effort, the project will strengthen area-based management of the Merlin House Reef, including long-term ecological monitoring, foster stakeholder engagement in sustainable reef management, and conduct feasibility for a reef rewilding initiative. These actions will essentially lay the groundwork for nominating Merlin Beach as a potential Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA), an increasingly important tool to expand marine protected areas and help advance the 30×30 goal.
LMMAs enable participation from local communities and stakeholders, drawing on their practical experience and deep knowledge. This inclusive approach fosters collaborative management, ensuring that everyone who relies on marine resources plays a vital role in the long-term success of LMMAs.
The initiative also emphasizes the critical role of the private sector, particularly the hospitality industry, in driving marine conservation. Around the world, there have been increasingly successful cases showing how protected areas actively managed and led by the private sector can complement existing government-led MPAs by enhancing connectivity of coastal, near-shore and off-shore habitats between other MPAs, underscoring the importance of empowering businesses to take an active part in safeguarding the oceans.
“By empowering hotels to take an active role in co-managing the resources that underpin nature-based tourism, we can help restore ecosystems, rewild degraded reefs, and sustain the services they provide. Rewilding efforts, such as bringing back keystone reef species and restoring ecological functions, make tourism more regenerative and ensure benefits flow back to both people and nature. Collaboration among stakeholders, local communities, and science-based monitoring is essential to achieving long-term conservation and truly sustainable use,” said Petch Manopawitr, Conservation Scientist and Advisor to WildAid.
Despite ongoing conservation efforts led by Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, along with government and conservation partners in recent years, the reef remains vulnerable to rising sea water temperature, damage from boat anchors for fishing and snorkeling activities, and physical contact such as stepping on corals during low tide. To address these challenges, the hotel has been working closely with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in recent years to protect the corals. These efforts include installing undersea temperature and light monitors at a distance of 3, 6, and 10 meters from the surface of the water to study the impact of climate change on marine life. In collaboration with Love Wildlife Foundation, the hotel also engages guests through awareness and education activities at the Reef Education Center, developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“Here at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, this is huge. We are a premier family resort in Phuket, and we recognize that our stunning natural environment is our biggest asset. So, partnering with an organization like WildAid is absolutely crucial—this is about moving beyond simple measures and making a real impact on a global scale. This is how we walk the talk when it comes to Marriott International’s Serve360 commitment. We are applying long-term scientific monitoring to our beautiful Merlin House Reef, and actively working to turn this area into a LMMA. Ultimately, we are aiming to raise global tourism awareness about sustainability and social impact. We want our guests, especially families, to feel connected to this effort. When you stay with us, you are directly supporting the protection and rewilding of the ocean. It ensures that the magic of Phuket’s reefs will be here for generations to come.” said Mr. Trevor May, Multi-Property General Manager, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort and Le Méridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa.
WildAid and Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach will also drive awareness activities under the theme “Our House Reef: Home to Life, Home to Us” to inspire a sense of shared responsibility for ocean conservation. Visitors, guests, local community and youth, and other stakeholders will be encouraged to take part in this collective effort, supporting the roadmap toward establishing an LMMA.
In the coming months, Love Wildlife Foundation and WildAid will conduct a comprehensive biodiversity survey to build an updated coral reef database, which will assess reef condition, coral diversity and recruitment, fish and invertebrate communities, and the resilience of the coral reef. The findings will serve as a critical baseline for long-term monitoring and support the nomination of the area as an LMMA.
This collaboration aligns with WildAid’s Marine Program’s goal that aims to strengthen protection and management in critical marine areas worldwide. WildAid’s marine work is operating across 95 priority sites in 17 countries, pioneering an approach that designs and applies effective enforcement and compliance systems for priority marine areas. As the number of protected areas around the world expands to achieve the 30×30 global target, WildAid’s efforts continue to grow with this network of protected areas.
Learn more about our family-friendly resort in Phuket and plan your perfect family getaway
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktmb-phuket-marriott-resort-and-spa-merlin-beach/overview/
Call +66 (076) 335 300 or email: [email protected]
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Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach is a family-friendly resort set on the stunning, secluded stretch of Tri-Trang Beach. Surrounded by forested mountains and lush tropical gardens, this Phuket spa resort features its vibrant reef and offers stylish accommodations. With 414 guest rooms, the resort caters to every need-from family adventure to MICE events and weddings. Guests can indulge in a refreshing oasis with three stunning swimming pools, each designed to create a unique atmosphere-whether it’s sipping cocktails at the lively pool with a swim-up bar or basking in serenity at the tranquil oasis with private whirlpools, modern fitness facilities, a dedicated Kids’ Club, and The Spa. A diverse array of dining options ensures that all tastes are catered to, while outstanding activity programs provide engaging experiences for guests of all ages, making it an ideal choice for all travelers.
We sincerely thank our customers for their continued trust. AIA Hong Kong’s sustained leadership in the number of new business policies reflects that when people seek to protect their own and their loved ones’ future through insurance, AIA’s quality health and wealth solutions — together with services and experiences that go beyond traditional insurance — consistently stand out as their preferred choice.
We remain committed to protecting every moment that matters and helping people and the communities we serve to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
Notes:
* Source: The latest provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business from January to September 2025.
** Based on statistics from Insurance Authority released since 2014 – Provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business.
Hashtag: #AIAHongKong
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About AIA Hong Kong & Macau
AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.
1 As at 30 June 2025
2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau’s individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 30 June 2025)
All nominations will undergo a rigorous screening and evaluation process conducted by the VinFuture Pre-Screening Committee and the Prize Council, which comprise leading scientists from around the world, including laureates of prestigious international awards such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, and the Millennium Technology Prize.
The evaluation process is scheduled to be completed by September 2026, with the 6th VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony slated for early December 2026. Nominations submitted after April 17, 2026 will automatically be considered for the 2027 season.
In order to provide comprehensive information and strengthen engagement with its global network of nomination partners, the VinFuture Foundation will host two international webinars in the first quarter of 2026, featuring insights and perspectives from representatives of the Prize Council, the Pre-Screening Committee, and VinFuture Laureates. The first webinar will take place at 8:00 AM on January 26, 2026 (Hanoi time).
In 2026, the VinFuture Prize will continue the implementation of its Top Nominators Recognition Program, formally acknowledging the exceptional contributions of scientists whose discernment and scholarly leadership are instrumental in identifying and nominating scientific and technological achievements of transformative significance for humanity.
Having completed five successive and highly successful award cycles, the VinFuture Prize has established itself as a globally respected distinction within the international science and technology community. To date, it has received a cumulative total of 6,132 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories and has recognized 48 outstanding scientists whose pioneering work has delivered profound, enduring, and far-reaching benefits to humanity.
Many of the achievements recognized by the VinFuture Prize are closely aligned with major milestones in human progress, ranging from global networking technologies, PERC solar cells, lithium-ion battery energy storage, and artificial intelligence to essential fields such as sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and environmental protection. Reflecting its expanding international reach, VinFuture’s global nomination partner network now includes nearly 15,000 scientists worldwide.
Dr. Thai-Ha Le, Managing Director of the VinFuture Foundation, stated: “After five years of establishment and development, VinFuture Prize has steadily affirmed its position as one of the world’s leading global science prizes, where outstanding scientific excellence is honored in parallel with social responsibility and the long-term interests of humanity. As we enter the 2026 season, we anticipate that nominations will continue to demonstrate the pivotal role of science and technology in addressing global challenges in a comprehensive manner, thereby advancing breakthrough solutions with strong applicability and the capacity to generate positive and sustainable impacts on a global scale.”
With its established international stature and credibility, VinFuture has contributed meaningfully to positioning Viet Nam as an emerging hub for global knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration. Numerous VinFuture partners have traveled to Viet Nam to engage in academic exchanges, share professional expertise, and strengthen ties with the domestic scientific community. Notable participants include Professor Aldo Steinfeld of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), recipient of the 2024 SolarPACES Lifetime Achievement Award; Professor Kurt Kremer, Honorary Director of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany); and Professor Chuanbin Mao of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (China), ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in biomedical engineering…
Through VinFuture, many Vietnamese scientists have likewise gained access to, and established collaborations with, leading global researchers, actively engaging with the international scientific community to help shape a sustainable future for Vietnam and for humanity at large.
Hashtag: #VinFuture
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Through this collaboration, FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets aim to bridge professional training standards with the at-home fitness experience, encouraging consistent movement and healthy routines for people of all ages and fitness levels.
FED Fitness offers a wide range of high-quality home exercise equipment, competitive pricing, and a free training app—aligning seamlessly with the Rockets’ performance-driven mindset and community-focused approach to sport and wellness.
Notably, this marks the Houston Rockets’ first partnership with a dedicated home gym solutions brand, reflecting the growing importance of home-based training within the evolving sports and fitness landscape. The partnership also reinforces FED Fitness’s expertise, product quality, and long-term strategic vision, as elite sports organizations increasingly align with innovative home fitness brands.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to health, discipline, and long-term fitness habits—whether training at home or competing at the highest level on the court.
Extending Professional Training into the Home
FED Fitness operates with the belief that fitness should be accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable, providing solutions designed to support users at different stages of their home fitness journey.
FED Fitness Home Gym Solutions
Its home gym solutions are defined by several core characteristics:
- Professionalgrade equipment
- Home training content system
- Spacefriendly designs
- Scenariodriven content
- Sustainable training system
FED Fitness is more than just equipment treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, and lightweight accessories. Instead, it goes above and beyond by providing an entire home fitness ecosystem that includes training and health data.
Partnership Benefits for Consumers and Fans
The partnership between FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets is built on a shared focus on training, health, and fitness, as well as a mutual commitment to creating engaging, family-friendly experiences around the game.
Designed to benefit both organizations, the collaboration also delivers added value for Rockets fans through a variety of interactive activations and promotions. These include a sweepstakes for a VIP game experience, home training content featuring FED Fitness products and Houston Rockets personnel, and opportunities for co-branded merchandise offerings. Fans can also follow FED Fitness on social media to access exclusive, fans-only discounts.
About FED Fitness: Brand vision and global health mission
FED Fitness is a global home gym solution brand focused on delivering professional-grade equipment and digital training tools for home use.
Trusted by more than 12 million households worldwide, the brand is committed to helping individuals and families build sustainable fitness habits through accessible, high-quality solutions.
The partnership with the Houston Rockets further reinforces FED Fitness’s long-term vision of integrating professional training standards into home-based fitness and everyday life.
For more information, visit www.fedfitness.com
Hashtag: #FEDFitness
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