Reaping the ‘awards’ of responsible travel
Although we are constantly reminded of the many ways in which we are collectively ruining the environment we live in, Travel Indochina shows how we can all make a difference on holiday without removing any of the fun. With offices in the main countries in which it offers its small group journeys, 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 behaviour from its suppliers, but works closely with them to develop and set new standards in the tourism industry.
Only this week it was announced that one of the tour operator’s most popular hotels, the Anantara Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand, has been recognised 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 recognised 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 lush bamboo forest, where guests can learn to become an elephant mahout.
Travel Indochina’s General Manager, Chris Orme, explains why the hotel fits the bill: “The Anantara Golden Triangle ticks all the right boxes for us in terms of responsible travel. The way in which they have made a sanctuary, not only for the elephants but for the elephant mahouts and their families, demonstrates their accordance with our principles.” The hotel features in both the Laos and Cambodia Experience and Treasures of Thailand Small Group Journeys.
The Small Group Journeys and tailor-made travel arrangements offered by Travel Indochina allow for more genuine experiences with local people and their environments, thus avoiding 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 homestays 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. In fact, the Asia specialist’s team has become one of its most valuable assets and it is the customer who benefits from the responsible way in which they are looked after. Local staff are well-trained, treated and remunerated and their passion for their countries is widely recognised by Travel Indochina’s customers.
Chris Orme explains: “We have a very loyal base of clients who come back to us time and time again. The beautiful countries in which we offer our Small Group Journeys speak for themselves, but it is our staff who make the real difference. The combination of local 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 gems that simply do not appear on other tour operators’ itineraries.”
As part of its responsible tourism policy, Travel Indochina proudly supports a small number of carefully-screened organisations which seek to make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people in Asia. These organisations range from The Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, Cambodia and the Big Brother Mouse organisation in Laos, which dedicates its time to increasing literacy among Lao youth, to Creativity for Humanity in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
A full list of these organisations can be seen at Travel Indochina’s website - Travelindochina.co.uk.
Small Group Journeys start from as little as £380 per person (for a 5 day journey to “The Temples of Angkor”) and include accommodation, transfers, internal flights (as specified), all road transportation, sightseeing and a local English-speaking guide. Groups of seven or more will also have the added benefit of a Western tour leader.
