Agoda introduces the third edition of Eco Deals during the ASEAN Tourism Forum

Monday, January 29, 2024

Agoda, the global digital travel platform, has announced an extended partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF). The collaboration involves an expansion of Agoda’s Eco Deals Program to support eight conservation projects across Southeast Asia. The announcement took place at a luncheon hosted by Agoda, attended by ASEAN Tourism Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, as part of the official ATF agenda.

Omri Morgenshtern, Agoda’s CEO, and Elizabeth Clarke, WWF-Singapore’s Director of Conservation, presented the vision and goals of the partnership to representatives from ASEAN National Tourism Organizations, the ASEAN Secretariat, and ASEAN Dialogue Partners. This initiative aligns with ATF’s theme of “Quality and responsible tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future.”

As part of this year’s Eco Deals Program, Agoda will increase its donation to WWF-Singapore four-fold, reaching USD $1 million. The funds will support conservation efforts in eight markets, including Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Similar to previous editions, Agoda will donate USD $1 for each hotel booking made at participating hotels, contributing to WWF’s diverse conservation projects, such as marine, forest, and wildlife preservation.

The conservation projects for this year include the protection of Tigers in Malaysia, Whale Sharks in the Philippines, Elephants in Thailand, Saolas in Vietnam, ecosystem restoration in Indonesia, ranger support In Cambodia, there were successful outcomes, including ranger training and patrols. Additionally, strides were made in enhancing urban wetlands in Lao PDR. The Eco Deals Program, actively onboarding accommodation partners, is scheduled to go live to consumers on March 3, 2024, and will run until December 3, 2024.

At the ATF event on January 26, Omri Morgenshtern emphasized Agoda’s commitment to responsible travel, acknowledging the company’s responsibility to contribute to destination preservation. The Chair of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting, H.E. Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket of Laos, praised collaborations like Agoda’s partnership with WWF as exemplary in promoting responsible travel and sustainability.

Vivek Kumar, CEO of WWF-Singapore, expressed optimism about the partnership’s impact on marine, forest, and wildlife conservation, citing the significant achievements in the previous two years.

The second edition of the Eco Deals Program witnessed successful outcomes in various conservation projects, including volunteer training sessions in Singapore, ranger training and patrols in Cambodia, reforestation efforts in Indonesia, wildlife monitoring in Malaysia, and the adoption of technology for patrols in Vietnam.

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