Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West is redefining what coastal escapes can give back with the launch of The Regenerative Stay, a year-long initiative that links every 2026 booking directly to mangrove restoration in Kep, Cambodia. Instead of treating guests as passive visitors, the program invites them to become active contributors to Cambodia’s coastal renewal while enjoying one of the country’s most tranquil seaside retreats.
How The Regenerative Stay Works
For every stay booked at Knai Bang Chatt in 2026, the resort will fund the planting of 10 mangrove seedlings along the Kep coastline. The planting is carried out in partnership with Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) and local mangrove community members, ensuring that tourism revenue flows straight into science-led conservation on the ground.
Each mangrove tree is estimated to absorb around 308 kilograms of CO₂ over a 25-year growth period, meaning the 10 trees linked to a single stay could sequester more than 7.7 tonnes of CO₂ over their lifetime. While the resort is careful not to frame this purely as a carbon offset scheme, the climate benefit underscores how meaningful nature-based restoration can be when embedded into everyday travel decisions.
Why Mangrove Restoration in Kep Matters
Mangrove forests are among the world’s most effective natural carbon sinks and play a vital role in stabilising coastlines, buffering storms and supporting fish nurseries and marine biodiversity. In Cambodia, provinces like Kampot and nearby Kep have lost more than half of their mangrove cover in recent decades, increasing vulnerability to erosion and climate impacts.
By funding mangrove restoration in Kep, The Regenerative Stay strengthens natural defences for local communities while rebuilding blue-carbon ecosystems that lock away CO₂ in both biomass and sediment. Through its partnership with MCC, Knai Bang Chatt ensures that planting sites, species selection and monitoring are guided by robust conservation science instead of short-term marketing gestures.
Regenerative Travel at the Heart of Knai Bang Chatt
The Regenerative Stay is the latest expression of Knai Bang Chatt’s long-standing philosophy that travel should restore, not deplete, the places it touches. The resort, a beachside boutique property on Cambodia’s southern coast, has already earned recognition for its regenerative retreats, coastal conservation work and Green Growth 2050 Platinum certification.
Founder Jef Moons emphasises that regeneration only works when people are invited to take part, positioning each guest stay as “a tangible contribution to coastal renewal” rather than a passive luxury experience. This ethos is reflected in on-site activities too, from guided mangrove and coastal walks to low-impact marine excursions that connect guests directly with the ecosystems their stays help to restore.
A New Model for Coastal Tourism in Cambodia
By tying bookings to verified restoration, Knai Bang Chatt offers a practical blueprint for how coastal resorts can turn rising visitor numbers into measurable environmental gains. The model aligns with Cambodia’s broader ambitions around blue carbon, climate resilience and responsible tourism, showing how small-scale, design-led hospitality can punch above its weight in terms of impact.
Travellers who choose Knai Bang Chatt can expect more than ocean views and wellness programs; each reservation helps rebuild Kep’s mangrove forests, support local stewards and strengthen the coastline for future generations. For guests seeking regenerative travel in Cambodia, The Regenerative Stay turns a beach holiday into a living investment in the health of the sea.
