Responsible Travel
Policy - Community Based Tourism
Community
Based Tourism and community partnerships
Wherever practicable we will use community based tourism initiatives and projects which are operated by the communities we visit. Where we initiate a project we do our best to involve the local community so they are able to benefit while still maintaining their culture, traditions and daily ways of life.
Wherever
possible supplies
and equipment are
purchased locally,
this includes the use of local eateries and buying supplies from the local population and local markets. Small, family-run
establishments make
up a high percentage
of the accommodation
we use and where it
is practical but not
intrusive we also
stay as guests of
local families. Although
generally more basic,
home stays and village stays provide
an invaluable insight
into the local lifestyle. Where feasible we will stay in local home stays and lodgings owned and run by locals
We
recruit
local people in both
office and field positions
wherever possible.
we only employ guides that are
natives of this
part of Thailand
and know the areas
very well, they will be able to show you a side of their homeland other travelers miss out on. All our
tour and trekking
guides are chosen
for their enthusiasm
and a genuine love
of the job as well as being officially licenced by TAT (Tourist Authority of thailand)
Food - where meals are included
we do our best to use local restaurants which make
authentic Thai food, not only do you get to experience the real cuisines of Thailand
we also are able to
support grassroots
establishments and create
wider benefits for
communities in the areas
we visit.
We only run our trips for private groups so this will be just yourself and your friends or family. small groups mean a lower impact on the communities we visit and more chance of being accepted into the local community. Most of the communities we pass by are by no means visited by travelers on a regular basis and the advent of a group walking into their village can still be very much a novel occasion.
You are booking
direct with the
operator there is
no middle man or
agent taking a slice
from the pie which
is your payment
this enables us
to keep our prices
low and competitive.You may see similar trekking and tour programmes at cheaper prices but when making comparisons please bare in mind that we do pay our staff a fair wage and remunerate our local suppliers fair amount for the services provided and we will take you that bit further to ensure you get the authentic experience you desire,
and we will not drive down the prices at the cost to the quality of your e experience Barking Gecko Travel.
