“ Community-based Tourism”…is a very special experience, for visitors who would like to meet local Thai people and enjoy a creative, insightful, authentic experience of local life. It is an experience for people who wish to be welcomed as ‘guests’ and are prepared to travel with sensitivity and respect for the culture and way of life of their ‘hosts’.

Programs are designed by local people, to share precious aspects of community, culture and nature which they feel proud of and choose to share. Guests are able to experience and learn about the community and environment through fun activities such as jungle hiking, traditional fishing, natural dying, weaving on a tradional loom, or learning to cook typical local dishes.

As well as being a fun and interesting experience for guests, CBT also supports environmental and social work, builds local people’s skills and distributes income fairly.

In an era when globalisation is putting pressure on local cultures, these experiences also prove to local people that their ways of life, local wisdom, and arts are valued by the world.

However well you know Thailand, the image in your mind’s eye may not be the whole story…. And for many travelers, the less experienced, ‘Real Heart of Thailand’ is the best part.
 

Visit a community… be our guest…

In 2008, 13 local communities and 9 pioneering Thai tour operators with expertise in rural tourism, as well as concern for local people and the environment decided to work together.

9 programs were developed, giving guests the chance to experience the real Thailand.

The project was lead by Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I) with support and monitoring by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Travel Foundation (UK).

Programs were developed through a process of mutual respect and discussion between tour operators and community members. The aim of the project is to help communities to welcome respectful guests who wish to experience and discover the real Thailand and our way of life.

Programs are fun, informative and interactive. They aim at mutual understanding and sharing between people. Communities benefit from increased income, including funds for local conservation and social projects. Villagers also benefit from new skills and knowledge.

The tours are available as from 2009.


Know before you go…

Staying in a community is a special experience which goes beyond a holiday. It requires special guests with a sincere will to discover something new and different from home. As one would expect in a local community, guests can expect a warm welcome, and a clean, safe environment. However, local homes are not hotels. It is a simple, not luxurious experience.

CBT is also not a fashionable experience. It is a journey into real life, which requires humanity, understanding, tolerance and respect. It can be eye-opening and life-changing.

To help guests to decide whether a trip is ‘just right’, you will be informed in advance about each community, including any ‘do’s and don’ts’ which the community request that guests follow, in order to respect local culture and help to protect the environment.

NS.TRAVEL and its local partners invite all world citizens who are interested in responsible tourism and particularly in this pilot project to contact us. We will give you more information, give you rates and help open a door to life in Thai communities.

What will you experience?

Where do guests stay?
Guests may stay with a local family in a ‘home-stay’, in a community-owned lodge, or even a community campsite. Accommodation will be typical local style. Guests can expect clean, safe, welcoming and comfortable accommodation. However, the community members are not able to offer luxury or hotel standards.
Rooms are likely to be fan cooled, rather than air-conditioned.

What do guests eat?
Special dishes will be prepared, made from typical local ingredients. Guests can often join their host families to collect fresh ingredients from a garden or orchard, and may help to cook if they wish. Pure drinking water, hot coffee and tea are available for guests*. Vegetarian food, mildly spiced dishes, or dishes prepared without chili are available for guests on request.

How do guests get around?
Local transport is used when traveling during the program. This could be a private car for a transfer to the community, or by boat or bicycle for activities taking place in the community. Vehicles are well maintained, and necessary safety equipment such as life jackets and helmets are available for guests to use *. Motorbikes are not offered to guests.

How do guests and hosts communicate?Hosts are usually excited to welcome guests, and very keen to try and communicate. However, local community members cannot usually speak English. To assist communication,