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This trip benefits and strengthens the local communities through capacity and confidence building so that they have total control over tourism development in their area. We provide community information to tourists, to help them to gain a wider understanding of this type of tourism that focuses on learning and a cultural exchange process and we inform our travelers how to behave appropriately with an appreciation for local customs and regulations. We also buy and use local products and services in order to support and stimulate the local economy.
We use local public transport where possible to minimise demand for special tourist vehicles and fuel. We choose small-scale locally owned accommodation and homestays where available and local restaurants and markets for dining, retaining revenue in local communities. Our tour leaders facilitate communication of our values to travelers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices. We employ local guides to aid travelers' understanding of local culture and etiquette. Our small group size allows travelers to experience cultures at first hand, offering greater opportunity for cross- cultural understanding.
Accommodation at Sala Phae and Sala Don Kone
These places both have a practice of community responsibility in using the skills and resources of the local community, local produce where available is used, the building materials for construction, decoration and maintenance is identified, researched and utilized. Bamboo, lantel, grass and timber are all selected from rapidly renewable resources. Much of the “safe water” is processed on site through an internal reticulation system. The staff are selected generally from the local community and hospitality education is offered and expected from those who are part of the team.
Kietnong
The timber has finished and the income from this source is no longer flowing. The community here were supported in establishing an elephant camp offering rides for tourists around the local area including an old spiritual site, Phou Asa. Phou Asa is probably a Buddhist temple but may even extend back to Khmer imperial times. It’s located at the top of a hill and the trip in a houda on an elephant is bringing in limited cash flow for this community. The elephants are surviving here because of tourism, their only chance. Tourism is bringing in some cash into the communities of this area. The area around has been classified as a biodiversity conservation area and is unique in its wetland geography. Many migrating birds stop-over on the wet-lands. Responsible tourism supports the preservation of this area by offering some income reducing the pressure of the hunt for protected wildlife and agricultural use of the reserved wet areas.
Ban Kone Neua primary school
The original 70 year old building was in disrepair without maintenance and had to be condemned and dismantled. It was a difficult decision because there was no funding for a replacement of the building. The Abbott at the local temple offered an area under the novices’ accommodation quarters and an informal agreement that this would be available for a period of two years. Our travelers and other independent tourists have generously supported a rebuilding project. The school is now operational and we continue to provide support for the next phase which is the outside area and some play equipment.
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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