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On this Southern Thailand vacation we quite deliberately chose Koh Muk as our island stop off on this trip because of its relative smallness and un-developed nature. This island is not riddled with multinational chain stores, its bays are not polluted with jet skis and topless bathers like some of the other islands and beaches in the country.
On this Southern Thailand vacation we provide extra income to the local fishermen by hiring them and their traditional 'Long tail boats' (as opposed to high powered, gas-guzzling speedboats) to make the transfer between the island and the mainland, and to take us on a one day snorkelling trip. We are proud to have been somewhat instrumental in discouraging these fishermen from dropping anchor on the coral, a once common practice that is now, thankfully, becoming less so.
On Koh Muk, we stay in a self-proclaimed 'zero emission resort' that, among other eco-friendly practices, has its own water treatment plant so that the resort's wastewater can be recycled. This island also give our Southern Thailand vacation travelers the ideal opportunity to set good examples to other, less enlightened travelers, and show their sensitivity to the local people by adopting modest beach wear practices as outlined in our 'What to Wear in Southeast Asia' leaflet.
Information: Providing suitable, relevant information for our customers; to help them to gain a wider understanding of our style of tourism that focuses on learning, genuine interaction with the local communities, reciprocity and cultural exchange processes. To be aware of the potential impact of tourism on the local society, culture and environment, and to behave and dress appropriately with a respect and appreciation for local customs, mores and traditions and a respect for the ecology of areas visited. Our guides and leaders thus facilitate communication of our values to both travelers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices
Group sizes: By limiting groups to small sizes we aim to reduce the impact on both local communities and the environment whilst allowing for greater genuine interaction with said communities. It also results in a higher guide/customer ratio thus greater facility for supervision and individual assistance and allows us to use smaller hotels and restaurants and employ the services of more genuinely ‘local’ operators perhaps not otherwise well equipped for larger groups.
Destinations: We combine the well known tourist sites with many off-the-beaten-track, rarely visited destinations thus diverting tourist revenue and contact with responsible tourism into areas not usually benefiting as well as providing a more authentic view of the region visited.
Local products: As much as possible we aim to employ local personnel, (guides, drivers, agents etc), use local restaurants and smaller privately owned accommodation. Customers are also encouraged to buy and use local products and services as much as possible in order to support and stimulate the local economy.
Instruction: By explaining our methods and the reasons behind them local agents, guides and hotels are encouraged by us to adopt further responsible tourism practices themselves and guides and drivers are provided with additional training in this respect.
This family-run company started in 1999 after the director, Mark, spent many years researching guide books in Asia and decided he could put together more exciting itineraries. His passion for the diversity and character of Asia is reflected in the unique, locally-owned places that the tours visit and travel groups are kept small so that closer interaction with their hosts is possible. Although Mark could happily survive for weeks on jam sandwiches while sleeping under the stars, he realises not all customers want this and goes out of his way to ensure all facilities used are pleasantly comfortable, clean, warm and welcoming.
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We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!
