Family tour to Cambodia and Thailand

Planet

Overview of responsible tourism on this tour

The intention of our Ruined Cities, Tropical Islands tour is to combine the well-known tourist sites with off-the-beaten-track ones thus spreading income and interaction into areas not usually benefiting from the positive aspects of tourism. We will of course ensure to the best of our abilities that that said interaction is as genuinely beneficial as possible, while also providing a more authentic view of the region visited to our clients.

Consequently, in addition to the popular tourist destinations this 2-week Cambodia and Thailand tour also includes rarely visited destinations such as Kok Rocha village and ancient temple in Kompong Thom Province, Prek Toal and Bac Preah floating villages, Ek Phnom in Battambang and Pailin District.

Group Sizes

We find that restricting group sizes to a maximum of 12 persons enables us to limit impact on sites and communities as much as possible while also allowing us to use local cafes, street and market stalls for drinks, meals and shopping.

Hotels are small and independently owned with proven responsible travel credentials and all - fully-licensed - guides and drivers are locally employed and fully trained.

Restoration/conservation and local economic development

Portions of entrance fees to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Museum, Prasart Kuhanokor, the Angkor Archeological Park, Prasart Ek Phnom (Battambang) and Beng Melea Temple are used for both restoration and conservation purposes as well as for salaries for the numerous local people employed at such sites. All sites are important sources of income and employment for the local communities.

We also hope that visits to ‘off the radar’, unregulated temple and historical sites such as Cambodia’s Kok Rocha and Wat Banteay Srei in Dom Dek will increase residents’ awareness and encourage conservation.

Visiting local restaurants/shops/markets/transport etc

We avoid any chain or international hotels and all accommodation used on this tour is independently owned by local residents with the exception of the 252 Hotel in Phnom Penh which is owned by long-term European residents of Cambodia. A portion of their profits goes towards funding educational projects for local, underprivileged children.

Meals are provided in either locally-run restaurants or local-style cafes, market and street stalls. All products are locally sourced and all staff are local residents. The emphasis is also very much on traditional Khmer and Thai food which we hope increases an interest and pride in the region’s cuisine.

Additional food products - for takeaway lunches, picnics etc – are deliberately purchased from local bakeries and /or fresh produce markets rather than chain supermarkets.

All transport is locally owned – whether minibuses or boats and tuk-tuks for shorter journeys.

With regards souvenirs our clients are also encouraged to buy directly from fabricants’ houses in the case of our Battambang cottage industries tour and Saray community tourism project or either markets or outlets attached to aid and educational organizations such as Artisans Angkor for example rather than the large, purpose-built souvenir stores.

Our Phnom Penh Hotel funds educational projects for local children and orphanages, providing corresponding information for guests as well as suggesting appropriate donations. All staff members are local residents.
Our Siem Reap Hotel has a policy of employing all of its staff members from underprivileged families. The aim is to educate, train and reintegrate young people and orphans from poor backgrounds whose opportunities are otherwise limited by a lack formal education.

People

We received the Tourism Authority of Thailand Green Award in 2008 for Best Niche Tour Operator, in 2010 for Best tour operator for Local Communities and in 2012 in the Maritime, Nature and Heritage category.

Support for local projects

Both our Phnom Penh and Siem Reap hotels participate in educational and training projects for underprivileged youths.

Our tours visit the Saray Community Eco-tourism scheme in Prek Toal Village as well as participating in a tour with Butterfly Tours in Battambang. These handicraft and cottage industries tours are organized by local students who, as well as helping to finance their studies and practice their language skills, also provides training for underprivileged rural youths.

In addition, during free periods, guests are encouraged to visit projects such as Artisans Angkor which is involved with the education and welfare of people from poor rural communities, the organisation Phare Ponleu Selpak which supports children, young adults and their families with educational programs and social support and the Apopo mine clearing project in Siem Reap.

Support for local charities and projects

As a small company our support projects are localised and targeted and we currently assist aid schemes in both northern Thailand and Myanmar’s Shan State.

On a micro-level we support and assist the the Saray Community Eco-tourism scheme in Prek Toal Village.

Tour leaders and guides

All guides and most leaders are local, while any foreign leaders employed have lived in the local communities for long periods and are experienced in customs, culture and as much as possible, language.

Leaders and guides provide 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
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.

Group sizes and their impact on the community and environment

By limiting groups to a maximum of 12 persons 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 offering a greater facility for supervision and individual assistance and allowing us to use smaller hotels and restaurants and employ the services of more genuinely ‘local’ operators on a personal and friendly basis rather than dealing with establishments primarily equipped for larger groups.