“Thailand Achieves Sustainable Tourism Recognition: Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced the Criteria for Thailand’s Community-Based Tourism Development, published by Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), has achieved GSTC-Recognized Standard status. By gaining GSTC-Recognized status, DASTA has affirmed that their standard blends universal sustainable tourism principles within the Thai socio-political context,” expressed Randy Durband, CEO, GSTC.”
Thailand is one of the most popular and most traveled destinations in Asia. Have you ever thought about traveling environmentally friendly in Thailand? There are a lot of possibilities to greener your next trip to Thailand. The country has over 300 national parks and 17% of the land are designated areas for environmental protection.
Sustainable Tourism
The economy of Thailand is mostly depending on the tourism industry. To ensure the healthy development of the tourist destinations in Thailand, it is essential to lower the impact that mass tourism has on the environment and the community. Sustainable tourism takes care of the present needs while preserving the needs of future generations.
Eco Tourism
Thailand is known for its exceptional wildlife and lush greenery. To preserve the wonderful nature, the country’s authorities are aware that tourism and its concept has to change. There are a lot of possibilities to make your trip to Thailand environmentally – friendly. Travelers are offered sustainable life time experiences like living with local communities, staying at the houses of Thai Families, being part of projects that non-profit organizations as well as hotels offer.
Homestay
More and more travelers decide for a homestay vacation, which means they live with local hosts. It is an authentic way to get to know the way the locals live: learning how to cook traditional Thai dishes, assisting with the production of craftwork or go fishing with the local fishermen is part of the special experience.
7 Greens of Thailand, helps you to greener your trip:
- Green Heart – Travel the eco-friendly way
- Green Logistic – Choose clean vehicles for either short or long excursions
- Green Attractions – Sustainable tourism management
- Green Activity – Choose environmentally friendly travel itineraries
- Green Community – Travel with awareness of value and preserve community identity
- Green Service – Managing Business, consciousness and eco-friendliness
- Green Plus – Volunteering brightens the world and cares for the environment
Krabi awarded “Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot”
On October 30-31, 2018 during the 2018 Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards ceremony at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Krabi was awarded the “Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot.
The two day meeting’s subject was “Advancing Urban Innovations to Achieve SDG 11 and New Urban Agenda”. The meeting had been attended by more than 400 participants from 40 countries to conclude the observance of Urban October.
The highlight of the forum was the 2018 Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards for 36 participants in seven categories.
Four winners in three categories came from Thailand. Hua Hin also received the “Global Green City” award while two Thai students were awarded the “Global Little Green Ambassador”
Thai Responsible Tourism Association (TRTA)
Thai Responsible Tourism (TRTA) was founded by six sectors involved in tourism: tour operators, accommodations, restaurants, tourist guides, local communities and academics. All founders believe in the positive impact of responsible and sustainable tourism.
The understanding of Thai Responsible Tourism is the avoidance of negative impacts to Thai social life, the culture, economy, and the environment. Responsible Tourism should have benefit the Thai Tourism Industry and aims at the development.
The objectives are:
Encouragement of all touristic partners, domestic and international, to cooperate in achieving the goal of a truly responsible tourism.
Worldwide promotion, support and development of Responsible Tourism.
Human Resources development helps to put Responsible Tourism in the focus and heart of the tourism industry.
Standardized Responsible Tourism training courses to support the members.
Advice and academic perspectives on Responsible Tourism.
Provision of criteria by which the Responsible Tourism practices can be measured.
Research of the Responsible Tourism effects.
Members such as Nutty’ Adventure promotes holidays with local flavor that benefit the lives if the local people. The philosophy is based on minimizing the social and environmental impact of tourism activities while offering opportunities for tourists to contribute to the well being of the local communities.
Tourism as a force for good means integration of local communities empowering them as givers more than merely receivers. This form of tourism implies a benefit for both the tourist getting to know the true experiences and culture and the communities in helping them to protect and conserve their traditions and profiting financially from the tourism.
Thailand for All
Thailand for All or holidays for All are specifically designed tours for the blind and partially sighted. The tours meet the particular needs and aims to convey a comprehensive impression of Thailand.
Tung Dap Village in Phang Nga earns global recognition for its sustainable tourism
The Moken village of Tung Dap on Ko Phra Thong in Phang Nga province has been named one of the world’s top sustainable destinations, in the ‚2018 Sustainable Destinations Top 100’ competition by Green Destinations.
The winners were announced at ITB 2018 in Berlin. Tung Dap village was among the best three entrants in the ‘Best of Cities, Communities & Culture’ category, which global leadership in protecting local culture and tradition, social fabric and sense of place while involving the local community in tourism and avoiding exploitation, human rights violation and disruptive mass tourism.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “It’s wonderful to see tourism initiatives like the Tung Dap village programme be recognised on the world stage for their commitment to community and environment.
Even more so, when you consider this type of experience is precisely what TAT’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ marketing concept is about – discovering Amazing Thailand from new and different perspectives.”
Tung Dap is a rural homestay initiative in which visitors are welcomed into the village where they can learn about and get involved in the local community’s lifestyle.
Cultural and nature-based activities; such as, fishing and vegetable foraging are some of the unique Thai local experiences they get to enjoy, while the villagers themselves benefit from fair employment opportunities and a secondary source of income.
The multi-award-winning community-based tourism initiative Andaman Discoveries offers the “Moken Immersion Tour”, where travelers get to know the village and its culture over a period of three days and two nights.
Thailand’s Royal Projects
A variety of impressive village-based community development projects have been implemented by His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej and members of Thailand’s Royal Family.
The projects have been set up nationwide and are now open for small-scale tourism. The projects are models of alternative economic development and provide unique insights into the King’s concept of a sufficiency economy.
Trash Heroes
The mission of Trash Hero is to keep the world clean for future generations. With the creation of sustainable community based projects, the aim is to remove existing waste and inspire a long-term change of behavior in order to reduce future waste.
Action and awareness, education, sustainable projects and inspiration are the key parts of the Trash Hero work. Actions speak louder than words – weekly environmental clean ups are as much part of the project as spreading educational information about the impact of trash on the environment.
With the help of long-term projects, communities are brought together to manage their waste strategies better. After all, it is about motivating as many people as possible to join the movement and become Trash Heroes in everyday life.
HiveSters
HiveSters is a hub for authentic and local Thai travel experiences. The project is co-founded by Achi and Mint – two sisters born in a family travel business, who have the urge for explorations and adventures run through their veins.
Ever since their childhood, Achi and Mint have explored Thailand’s hidden gems. Because of their local expertise they were often asked for recommendations for local activities.
With HiveSters, they live their vision to share and promote sustainable Thai travel activities and hence contribute to a sustainable impact in Thailand tourism industry.
The team works directly with local communities, social enterprises and individuals to create and promote their projects.
While providing fun authentic adventures for the traveller, it is aimed to create positive impact by increasing the locals’ income, preserving the endangered cultural heritage, protecting the environment, and creating positive social changes.
Socialgiver
Socialgiver is an award winning lifestyle and travel platform that helps consumers, businesses and social projects work together to create positive social impact.
The mission is to create a movement for socially conscious travelers. Socialgiver offers top brands from hotels, restaurants and activities across Thailand while creating a positive impact as 100 % of the profits go directly to local social and environmental causes working transparently on solving various issues.
Brands are bought closer to consumers that care about giving back to the community through Socialgiver’s platform. Customers shop on the website or mobile app for great deals from leading hotels, restaurants and activities across Thailand.
The purchase helps to create an impact and raises sustainability for important causes. For example, through Socialgiver, a hotel stay can help fund a wildlife sanctuary, to support a reforestation project, or help provide clean water to distant schools.
By Greenpearls