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Our collective impact on the environment is rapidly becoming a greater concern, and Travel Indochina has responded to this concern by showing travelers how they can make a difference while on vacation without sacrificing any of the fun.
With local offices in the region, the leading Asia specialist’s overseas team is able to hand-pick suppliers who operate in accordance with its responsible travel principles. Travel Indochina not only requires responsible behavior from its suppliers, but works closely with them to develop and set new standards in the tourism industry.
In June 2008, one of the tour operator’s most popular hotels, the Anantara Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand, was recognized by Forbes Traveler in the “World’s Most Responsible Hotels” category. Set in a stunning location, overlooking the hills of Myanmar and Laos, this magical property was recognized for the humanitarian efforts it has made in protecting the environment and promoting conservation. A highlight of a stay in this beautiful resort is a visit to the elephant camp, set in a lush bamboo forest.
Travel Indochina’s Business Development Manager, David Rothschild, explains why the hotel fits the bill: “The Anantara Golden Triangle exemplifies responsible travel for us. The sanctuary not only acts as a safe haven for the elephants, but in addition provides steady employment for its keepers and their families. This is just one example demonstrating the types of projects supported by Travel Indochina.
In addition to doing business exclusively with travel partners who practice responsible tourism behaviors, Travel Indochina seeks to support the people in those communities visited by its tours. For example, the company supports KOTO (Know One, Teach One), an organization that has trained nearly 250 Vietnamese street and disadvantaged kids to be chefs and service staff. In Cambodia, Travel Indochina supports the Angkor Hospital for Children, which provides inpatient and outpatient care to needy children. It also trains Cambodian health care professionals, and promotes public health initiatives in Siem Reap province and greater Cambodia. In Laos, Travel Indochina supports the work of Big Brother Mouse (BBM), a project aimed at publishing books for children to increase literacy levels in Lao PDR.
The Small Group Journeys and tailor-made travel arrangements offered by Travel Indochina allow for more genuine experiences with local people and their environments. Travel Indochina vacation experiences avoid the negative impacts of mass tourism. With group sizes limited to a maximum of 15 people, Travel Indochina’s customers benefit from opportunities for cultural exchange, with options such as home stays and eco-lodge experiences enabling social interaction with people from different backgrounds.
Travel Indochina differs from many other tour operators in that it employs local staff, wherever possible, in its overseas offices. This team is one of Travel Indochina’s most valuable assets and customers benefit from the responsible way in which they are looked after. Local staff members are well-trained, treated and compensated and their passion for their countries is widely recognized by Travel Indochina’s customers.
Mr. Rothschild explains: “Worldwide, we have a loyal base of clients who come back to Travel Indochina time and time again and it’s our team that makes the real difference. The combination of local English speaking guides and Western tour leaders means our customers get the best of both worlds and, as a result, our hand-picked itineraries are full of unforgettable experiences that travelers will not find with other companies.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
