Sustainable luxury tourism: Private island, protected island.

The Wa Ale Island is located in the Myeik archipelago in southern Myanmar. After three flights from Spain, it was still a two-hour boat ride to reach this 3,600-hectare private island. Years ago Chris Kingsley had the vision to protect this small and remote piece of paradise through a tourism development project that would minimize the impact on the local ecosystem, generate a real economy for the local people and function as a way to protect the island's terrestrial and marine ecosystem. Today the local population of the island receives 20% of the profits and 2% of the income per occupied room.

In addition, it manages the Green and Leatherback Turtle Protection and Conservation Project working together with the local fishing community to protect these two endangered species. The project includes the protection of the coral reef by local boat anchors working together with the local fishing communities.

The hotel is the main source of income for the island and has eleven villas and three Tree Houses built with degradable and local materials combining wood and bamboo from the ecosystem of the area. Its style is based on the typical constructions of local village houses. 

The waters of the archipelago, full of coral reefs, are ideal for snorkeling and diving. In kayaks and paddle boards you can circle part of the island and paddle through mangroves or explore the island's wildlife on foot along its system of forest trails. The turtle conservation project is one of the great attractions of the island and, if we are lucky, we may see the occasional pangolin, a small species of very rare dwarf armadillo.