GOCO Hospitality Aids Elephant’s World in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand, February 17, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Keeping true to its commitment of making a social impact in the community, GOCO Hospitality took to the jungles of Kanchanaburi, Thailand this January to lend a helping hand at Elephant’s World, a sanctuary for old, sick, disabled, and abused elephants.

Founded in 2008 by veterinarian Dr. Samart Prasitthiphon, Elephant’s World is located on the banks of the River Kwai and currently shelters 9 elephants ranging in age from 9 years to 72 years. The elephants are fed, bathed, and given medical care daily, allowing them to rehabilitate and live out their years peacefully in natural surroundings.

The GOCO team’s full-day program of activities at Elephant’s World comprised feeding the elephants, harvesting sugar cane, preparing a sticky-rice meal with nutritional supplements for the older elephants, and culminated in jumping into the River Kwai to bathe the elephants.

“It was a very rewarding experience for us to be able to help these elephants,” said Ingo Schweder, Chief Executive Officer of GOCO Hospitality. "The fact that these gentle creatures, which are considered to have the same intelligence level as dolphins and primates, are subject to abuse by their only predator-humans-is saddening.

“We wholeheartedly believe in making a conscious effort to give back to the community in which we operate. We started the year by helping the elephants at Elephant’s World and are actively on the lookout for other opportunities to help more in any way we possibly could.”

For further details on volunteering, visiting, or donating to Elephant’s World, please visit www.elephantsworld.org.

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Note to the Editor: The company's name GOCO, as well as its slogan "Wellness meets Wanderlust", combine two of the most important elements of the company: the acronym "GO" stands for traveling, movement, and energy, whereas "CO" is based on the word “consultancy”. GOCO’s projects are always authentic, reflect local cultures and traditions and strive to make a social impact in their community. This philosophy allows GOCO Hospitality to cross borders and create new discoveries while being innovative, visionary and individual.

As CEO and founder of GOCO, Ingo Schweder brings more than 20 years of experience from the fields of spa and hospitality. Working with and managing some of the world’s most prestigious hotel groups Ingo has been involved with the design, development, and worldwide operation of iconic properties and spas. Under his guidance, Ananda in the Himalayas, the globally recognized destination spa, was established. During his tenure at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, he established from the ground up 15 resort spas on four continents – whose strong holistic roots are credited to him. He earlier was Group Director of Hotel Operations for Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Managing Director of Rafael Group Hoteliers, Southeast Asia. Under his leadership, GOCO Hospitality has received the 2011 SpaChina Awards and 2011 Crystal Awards for Best Spa Consultancy.