2010 Innovation Award Finalist: Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association
Organization: Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (Thailand)
Project Description
Corporate Social Responsibility and Marketing Access Partnerships (CSR-MAP) for Thai Sustainable Tourism Supply Chains
Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) lead this project with great partners to bring first and innovative of Thailand Green Routes which all major supply chain and tourist destination will conform to sustainable standards to the market. CSR-MAP project bring huge good impact to Thailand sustainable tourism industry.
Thailand benefits immensely from its position as a leading holiday destination for European tourists. However, Thai tourism actors agree that to maintain this position in the long-term, the industry must work to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and society.
During the past decade, European consumers have also become more aware of the negative impacts which their holiday choices can have on holiday destinations. Consequently, demand for more ‘sustainable’ and ‘responsible’ tourism products is increasing. To meet this demand, The Corporate Social Responsibility and Market Access Partnerships (CSR-MAP) for Thai Sustainable Tourism Supply Chains project aims to create greater sustainability in the Thai tourism industry, and to meet demand from European visitors.
By offering better quality, sustainable products to EU tour operators, Thai suppliers will be able to reap the financial benefits of tourism while safeguarding the precious resources on which their future depends.
The CSR-MAP Project targets suppliers in the Thai tourism industry, which offer ‘green’, ‘responsible’ and ‘sustainable’ tourism products, as well as local Thai communities, which have developed community-based tourism (CBT) programmes, and European tour operators with a firm commitment to supporting sustainable tourism.
The CSR-MAP project aims to give partners the opportunity to: learn about the European market’s demand for sustainable tourism products and standards; participate fully in the development and improvement of Thai Sustainable Tourism Standards; gain recognition from European tour operators; and develop and market innovative and integrated sustainable tourism products – Thai Sustainable Tourism Routes.
For a maximum buy-in by European tour operators, and the opportunity for strong Thai-EU cooperation, the new Thai sustainable tourism standards (tour operator, ecoguide, green restaurant, green hotel, CBT village, and products) will be developed in close collaboration with the EU partners.
Project purpose:
The CSR-MAP project’s goal is to: “Contribute towards sustainable EU-Thai tourism supply chains by the broad introduction of CSR policies among Thai tourism suppliers. Voluntary standards for social and environmental sustainability will be strengthened, more influential, better implemented, monitored and enforced in three core product areas: Hotel industry, Ecotourism and CBT.
Overview of proposed activities:
CSR-MAP Project goals and results will be achieved through five “Work Packages” (WP’s):
- WP 1 Tourism market studies and identification of EU operators committed to sustainability.
- WP 2 Sustainable Tourism Criteria improvement & development: will result in the development of Thai sustainable tourism standards . Use GSTC guildeline as framework.
- WP 3 Development of Package tours, capacity building at destination and initiating partnerships: This will result in a selection of innovative package tours which combine an integrated selection of Thai sustainable tourism products. Training will be given for suppliers to meet the new standards. European tour operators will survey the routes.
- WP 4 will result in the Dissemination and wider acceptance of the Sustainable Tourism Standards and products among stakeholders in the Thai-EU tourism supply chains.
- WP 5 Management, evaluation and monitoring: will ensure coordination between sectors and build a foundation for continuation of quality assurance and supply chain management.
Results :
- 5 Green routes are ready to sale – Samtsongkram,Chaing Rai,Lampang ,Koh chang and Korat
- 16 routes around Thailand is under developed and it is our next step!
- Numbers of beneficiaries who have participated directly in project activities to date: 349 Thai People (Men: 177; Women: 172)
Tourism suppliers which participated directly in 1 or more project activities:
Thai Businesses: 195 through training and networking opportunities
- Tour Operators 22
- Hotels 50 (43 SME hotels and 7 large hotels)
- Restaurants 32
- Professional Tour Guides 61
- Community based tourism (CBT) groups 30
European tour operators – 243 through information and new products
500+ EU and Thai businesses stand to benefit economically from selling sustainable tourism routes. However, realising these benefits will depend on the success of marketing, the economy and the Thai political situation:
Local communities and community members:
30 communities have participated in activities, from across Thailand. These communities have already benefited from improved market and sustainability awareness, and exposure to potential business partners during project activities. Direct economic benefits within 2-3 years for these communities, from inclusion on the sustainable tourism routes will depend on the success of marketing, the economy and political situation). E.g.:
- 1500+ local families benefiting from income and skills development
- 150 local community businesses / community / environmental groups
- 35+ communities through the restaurant local supply chain
- 50 communities through better informed tour operators and tour guides
Controlling and supporting government and non-government organisations:
- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand through new standards development and evaluation process.
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand through new products / market leads/FAMTRIP support
- The Royal Project of Thailand
- The Thailand Research Fund (TRF) and 10 Thai universities
- 14 Tourism Associations in Thailand and Europe
Final Beneficiaries:
- Indirect benefits within 2 years: Min 5000 European and 2000 Thai businesses will benefit from awareness of potential business partners, and increased sustainability awareness through new sustainability standards and project media.
- 300+ Thai communities exposed to tourism (through CBT-I, OTD, TAT networks)
- Environment / nature exposed to tourism: 40 National Parks in 30 Thai provinces
- Consumers seeking responsible travel: min. of 5,000+ in min. of 9 countries
Partners: ECEAT(Europe), Green leaf foundation, CBT-i
Funding support: EU(75%), TAT (FAM trip and marketing), OTD (standards development)
EU-Thailand Partners
Community Based Tourism
CSR MAP
(No Ratings Yet)
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The concept sounds quite interesting. Are there more details available somewhere? Like details on the current and planned routes. The five current routes named just say a region name like Korat. There is a lot of stuff to see and do in Korat and it would be nice to know what these routes consist of.
This project is doing by great team.
* Excellent research from ECEAT.
* Great cooperate approach competency by CBT-i foundation.
* Strong know how in environment care by Greenleaf foundation.
* with support funding by EU TAT and OTD
* Cooperative by Thai SME supliers
Summary of pilot route
http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/4956.asp
our route details can be read from.
THE FLAVOURS AND FRAGRANCES OF CENTRAL THAILAND
http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/4955.asp
THE CHARM OF ISAAN LIFE
http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/4954.asp
At the Cultural Crossroads
http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/4953.asp
THE SPIRIT OF LANNA
http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/4952.asp
what we trying to do is bring sustainabilty to tourists from tour reservation until end of tour by use of sustainable supliers along the route .
It’s really great to see the CSR-MAP in the finals for this award. One of the most important aspects of this project is that it builds directly on the consistent work of sincerely committed sustainable tourism suppliers and supporting organisations in Thailand and Europe.
TEATA, Greenleaf, CBT-I and ECEAT have all been genuine pioneers of sustainable tourism, and have worked consistently for over 10 years. This means that while the project may end, the work will go on.
Giving an award to the CSR-MAP project is in fact giving an award to all the local suppliers who have been working hard on the ground for years, but often find it tough to communicate their acheivements with tour operators and sustainable tourism supporters. This project has given them new voice and opportunities. By developing sustainable tourism standards and products together, hundreds of Thai tourism stakeholders are stepping towards sustainability – so please support this initiative.
Anyone who would like more information should contact Khun Duangkamol at: csr_marketing@teata.or.th
The CSR-MAP concept begs the question “How do we protect pristine sites from the mass tourism that follows innovation?” This isn’t such a big issue in Esan, where cultural tourism should be sustained and encouraged. However, in South Thailand many pristine sites can be severely impacted by mass tourism.
Phang Nga Bay and Koh Phi-Phi are perfect examples. If professional standards, environmental training and volume controls are included in the CSR-MAP concept, the project can go a long way towards protecting natural sites.
I gave up a great life in Hawai’i to bring these concepts to Asia in 1989 starting with Thailand – all I got was ripped off. After 21 years I still hope for viable professional standards, volume controls and environmental training in sea kayaking and other nature-based tourism. In 1994, the Phang Nga National Park Director and I agreed there should be no more than 120 people/day in the caves I found. Today, glorified James Bond companies take 3-5 boats a day with 250 tourists/boat to the caves with no interest or awareness in environmental conservation. The consequences are devastating.
The CSR-MAP project can be a significant step in the right direction. Ecotourism became a meaningless buzzword years ago and Sustainability is becoming the same even before we agree on the definition. Perhaps CSR-MAP can lead the way to tourism that does not destroy by uneducated greed. The people involved in CSR-MAP are dedicated, sincere and innovative. Let’s hope they and others can preserve what remains of Thailand’s Natural Treasures.
Please support the people involved in this innovative program and give them recognition for their sincere, difficult and time-consuming work. As cited above, conservation in Thailand is an uphill struggle, especially when mass tourism raises its ugly head.
Sincerely,
John ‘Caveman’ Gray
John Gray’s SeaCanoe
Founder, Thailand-Vietnam-Philippine Sea kayaking industry
(“SeaCanoe” is my joke on future copy-cats – there is no such thing.)
The CSR-MAP program is useful for helping the communities and save our planet. It is a creative tourism program for Thailand. It should be supported more and more.
The CSR-MAP in Thailand is the real green program for future and to ensure we all really care an environment and natural. To touch of Thainess, Local culture, Thai way of life and more. I strongly recommend to touch it by your self.
Congratulations for this great Award after all your hard work.
Suanthip Vana Resort, Chiang Rai, we are proud to be a part of CSR-MAP Project in chiang Rai Route. This project an important for Thailand’s tourism industry. It’s true that CSR-MAP can bring us to the sustainable tourism. We are getting great feed back from our clients.
Sincerely,
Pattamaphan S., Ms.
Asst. Sale & Marketting Manager
Suanthip Vana Resort, Chiangrai
One of the most important aspects of this project. The CSR- MAP to help community at Ban prasat and developing sustainable tourism Korat
route.The Tourism Autority of Thailand through new products.
I thinks CSR – MAP project bring hue good impact to Thailand sustainable tourism industry.
In a world of globalization where everything runs at the rhythm of productivity and competition, there is little room left to stop a while and have a look behind… It is though indispensable to take the time of a look behind. It is even urgently indispensable.
Thailand was still living out of time 40 years ago. It has changed so much and so quick since, without that anyone really noticed what was happening and what the consequences could be of to this abnormally speedy growth.
If globalization fortunately brought successes to some sectors of the economy, it also brought nuisances and disparity. It is therefore important to monitor the evolution of it and its impacts on Thai society, being environmental or social likewise.
Tourism industry has generated wealth, manpower, development, growth, but it has also generated pollution, deforestation, social problems…
It is therefore important to have referees, monitoring the evolution of tourism industry in Thailand and able to come up with a clear and sharp analysis of situation. We need to examine what has been done in the past and what should be done in the future.
Thailand needs to manage its resources on the long term so that all actors involved in tourism industry grow harmoniously in the sane environment we want to let to our children
Congratulations TEATA… Congratulations to all having a honest vision on the long term of our society. Thank you TEATA and might you be a strong actor building a sustainable way of thinking tourism in Thailand for a prosperous future of all of us.
Might TEATA be the seed of a greener future for Thailand and an example to other similar initiatives at home and in neighbor countries
Might TEATA get this award. It would sincerely be well deserved.
We would like to thank you for TEATA support routing in I-saan.
There are set up project “Corperate Social Responsibility ans Marketing Assess Partnership for Thai Sustainable Supply Chains (CSR-MAP)
and have benefit by introducing corporate social responsibility So, affect for Tourist to realize of tourism in adventure travel association and learning herewith natural.
Friends of Nature is one of the tour operator who have involved in this project and found that it is a very good project for sustainable tourism in Thailand.This project help our tourism to set standard for all stake holders which are tour operators, ecoguides, green hotels, communities and restaurants. And one of the most important outcomes of this project is NETWORKING among all the stakes holders who have a green heart and have the same objective that is SUSTAINABLE TOURISM. I know that we are on the right way to preserve and protect our natural and cultural treasures. Thanks for the hard working of CSR-MAP Team. I believe that without the participation of all the stake holders in tourism field it will be hard to make our tourism sustainable.
This project not only protect our world from global warming but we will keep clean air,food,water and world for everyone.
CHEERS
The Doi Tung Development Project is a holistic and integrated sustainable alternative livelihood development initiative. It is the culmination of the Princess Mother’s lifelong dedication to development work.
Our mission is to ensure that the people of Doi Tung are economically self-reliant and able to continue the process of their own development as responsible citizens, amid an ever-evolving globalised world, without compromising the environment or their own cultural values.
Three Development Priorities Identified by HRH
1. Health : First and foremost, the basic health needs of the people must be addressed because sick people cannot work
2. Livelihood : Once people are in good health and are able to work, the next priority is the provision of viable livelihood options, starting with those which provide immediate food security, and then gradually diversifying into value-adding activities with higher income-generating opportunities.
3. Education : When the people have achieved viable livelihoods and are able to send their children to school, education becomes the main focus as the key to unlocking opportunities and ending the vicious cycle of poverty.
Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development (SALD)
1. Human : help people to help themselves, by creating viable and sustainable livelihood options
2. Economic : BUs in Food, Horticulture, Tourism, and Handicrafts. In less than 10 years, the ownership of some of the business units in Doi Tung will be transferred to the local community.
3. Environment : Reforestation, Economic Forests, Watershade Forests
Doi Tung Development Project has a very good part in helping to support CSR MAP project as the purpose of sustainable tourism development. And thank you so much staff of TEATA, Greenleaf, CBT-I and ECEAT a very good cause such as this project.
ํYours sincerely,
CSR-MAP project is a project to promote green tourism by created the environmentally friendly tourism routes. The Attraction and service selection process is done through a participatory of all the stakeholder in each supply chain.
The CSR-MAP project will help the tourists to have their choices when they visit Thailand.Their trips will not only bring the happiness to their lives but the tourists can also sure that they will not bring any harmful to the environment of the destination they have visited. This project will support TAT’s Sustainable Tourism Project in long term.
When we were about to start up our bicycle tour business what we had in mind was to do business which will produce minimal impact on environment. At that time we didn’t know much about sustainable tourism and we didn’t know anybody in Thailand who shares this concept.
We were introduced to TEATA and then CRS-MAP consequently, CSR-MAP project is what we’ve been looking for. As a micro tour operator, we may not benefit directly from this project but this is a great opportunity to learn how to operate our tours in a sustainable fashion. We are very happy to learn about community based tourism as it fulfills one of our aim which is to show our guests the beauty of Thai local life. Most importantly, we have built a great network with other stakeholders in tourism industry who share the same philosophy.
Thank you very much TEATA and its great partners for this initiative, you have our full support.
Please support this project and recognize the hard work of all people involved.
Sincerely Yours,
Parichat Suntararak
Thailand Green Ride
In a world of globalization where challenging each other has become normal practice, there is little room left to stop and take time of a look behind… Between productivity and competition, time for evaluation is often so little.
Thailand has grown very quickly during the last 40 to 50 years. In that time, we were almost living in other dimension, almost in epic Siam period. Within few decades, the country participated to an unbelievable race, making our economy grow spectacularly.
Tourism industry knew rapidly successes, growth and wealth, but it generated as well pollution, deforestation and social disparities. Nowadays, concern for sustainability has become unanimous throughout the world. For Thailand, it will be a serious challenge in the years and decades to come… How to cope with growth generated by a sector which has become a pillar in Thai economy and how to avoid nuisances coming inevitably with this manna?
It will be vital for Thailand to monitor the situation so that it can adopt measures aiming a fair environmental and social future for the nation. TEATA is one of those working hard to make us understand that there is no future without sustainability.
NS.TRAVEL therefore applause TEATA commitment and supports its efforts in helping tourism industry in Thailand be ready for tomorrow challenges
We sincerely hope TEATA will get this award, for it would be a fantastic message of hope to many countries where tourism industry is emerging. But in Thailand, it would be a strong message of recognition paving the way to sustainability in a country where growth is often regarded as example across the planet.
On behalf of SERENATA HOTELS & RESORTS GROUP, offers the unique blend of 13 resorts & 1 cruise : beaches, city, green nature, culture, history, Thainess and wellness experiences.
Koh Chang Tropicana, The Legend Chiangrai, and Lampang River Lodge, we have joined CRS-MAP which organized by TEATA (Thai Eco & Adventure Tourism Association)since April 2009 , our staffs have been much improved after they participated every training course with TEATA either developement of man power or standard of products of sustainable tourism concerned. Thus we are very confident to expose our properties as green products.
Regards,
Suwimol
So glad to her that the CSR-MAP project have been listed as final potentail candidate award. This awrad will encourage all the local suppliers such as tour operators, guide, reastauarants, village base tourism who have been working hard for years but hardly seen such a positive result.
To awrad this project has given positive thinking and opportunities to all of them. This will laed to sustainable tourism as those suppliers would definitely wil vlaue what they have done and they would continue doingg this. And this will become their standard of practice in a naer future. And surely that these Thai tourism stakeholders are going to practice sustainable tourism – so please kindly support this initiative.
Having been among the EU tour operator representatives to attend one of the Fam trips organised by CSR MAP in June I can say that it was a truly memorable and impressive experience. We met a great many very sincere, enthusiastic and competent suppliers in Isaan and Koh Chang and came away with plenty of ideas to incorporate in new trips in those and other regions of Thailand.
The way the trip was organised allowed us to feedback to other small groups who had gone to different areas of Thailand and to pool ideas of how best to make use of all the wonderful work that TEATA have been doing in Thailand.
This project is an excellent way of reducing the legwork for EU tour operators by facilitating introductions to suppliers with proven eco credentials with a view to opening up new areas of Thailand to tourism in a controlled and sustainable way, which will hopefully take some of the pressure off the areas that have been heavily and less sensitively exploited over the years.
Good luck to all involved.
We are the one of the team Thailand and would like to appreciate for our CSR-MAP team supporting for getting in the final award. We have come together about 100 – 120 peoples atlease 4-5 workshop from 5 committee in 18 months for Hotel, Restaurant, Tour Operator, Professional Guides and Community based tourism (CBT). To setting up and developing the service standard for sustainable service with green product and service in total supplychain for our SME’s tourism industry for promotion Thailand Destination for tourism coming with value for money and happyness.
Please supporting and helping for getting this award for promoting Thailand Eco-Tourism.
CSR-MAP is the unique project in itself, bringing together all the important suppliers within the touring operations and could be consider as the first time ever attempt in the Thai tourism business. The project has the strong and ambitious ends in mind to lift the Thai Eco tourism standards and turn them into practical implementations by all the suppliers within the chain of operations: tour operators, tour guides, restaurants,hotels and the destination communities- all working hands-in-hands with the “Greenness” in every steps of their respective operations in mind.
They realized that the project is still a long way to achieve their main policies of implementing “Greenness” strictly in all aspects by all the major suppliers. However, with such a unique and strong Teamwork that they have been through all the hard works together for the past 18 months, I’m confident that with TEATA’s leadership,Thai Eco tourism will be successful that could lift Thailand tourism into a new service dimension, help saving the world and ecology in general and lifting the standard of living with “Greenness” way of living among the participating communities. Thus, everyone wins and Thailand becomes greener with environment-friendly communities continues to prosper and preserving their unique social identities that would pass on to the future generations.
When we were about to start up our bicycle tour business what we had in mind was to do business which will produce minimal impact on environment. At that time we didn’t know much about sustainable tourism and we didn’t know anybody in Thailand who shares this concept.
We were introduced to TEATA and then CRS-MAP consequently, CSR-MAP project is what we’ve been looking for. As a micro tour operator, we may not benefit directly from this project but this is a great opportunity to learn how to operate our tours in a sustainable fashion. We are very happy to learn about community based tourism as it fulfills one of our aim which is to show our guests the beauty of Thai local life. Most importantly, we have built a great network with other stakeholders in tourism industry who share the same philosophy.
Thank you very much TEATA and its great partners for this initiative, you have our full support.
Please support this project and recognize the hard work of all people involved.
Sincerely Yours,
Parichat S.
Thailand Green Ride
CSR-MAP is the project that opens good opportunity for many who like to help creating GREEN Tourism in Thailand but don’t know how, no matter whether they are Thais or foreigners, are small persons or big organisations. Those who have little knowledge of how to help” GREEN” receive training and information in proper ways,resulting in enhancing their abilities to help reaching the ultimate goal of TEATA , EU, and others that are not mentioned here.
Through the project,people from many different ares of main interests, eg. hotels,restaurants,communities,tour guides,tour operators,tourists ,government and non government personnels were pooled together to help making CSR-MAP come true, creating stronger commitment among themselves and greater commitment to the world.
Big applause to a successful kick-off and implementation. Harder work is awaiting ahead. I strongly believe that CSR-MAP will steadily progress because of its open-mindedness, positive attitude, knowledge intregation,strong unity, and belief and respect in people’s will power and ability.
The CSR-Map is a great starting point for advocating green tourism and raising awareness. It could be very helpful in destinations such as Ayutthaya, where the local tourism industry seems to be stuck in an enbreakable mindframe of short term planning. Tour operators such as Ayutthaya Boat and Travel are doing a good job at introducing more sustainable Community-Based Tourism in the city. Hopefully, other local companies may learn from them in the future.
There is definitely a growing interest among European visitors to visit the countryside in Ayutthaya and to explore the local canals and rivers. The market is ready for more eco-conscious bike and boat tours. Yet, it will take some time before more tourists realize that such options are available locally.
The REAL difficulty will be convincing locals to take care of their own environment and to stop them from habbits such as throwing garbage into the rivers and canals. Somehow we have to convince them that their future, as was their past, is still connected to the city’s waterways. The greater battle is not just tourism alone, but in finding ways to educate and change locals’ perception. That will take a lot more work, patience, and time.
As one of the EU tour operators participating in the CSR MAP project I can say that it was very well organized and above all else focused on supporting and developing sustainable tourism in Thailand. The commitment and enthusiasm of those involved was impressive. I am sure the project will provide a foundation for further development of sustainable tourism in Thailand and therefore can be judged as being a complete success.
It’s great to know that Thailand has taken such an important lead in bringing together all relevant players to enable the tourist to make real choices between a holiday that supports the environment and the people who live in it and a holiday that exploits both.
To ensure the success of this innovative project, it is very important that it is marketed well and widely. If the tourists don’t know about it, then it will not flourish.
Tourism Concern fights to ensure that people’s human rights are taken into account whether they work in the business or live in the areas where tourism is developed. We would wish genuine sustainable tourism not to be a small niche product, but a choice that any tourism can make when deciding on their holiday. All holidays should be sustainable. Thank you for helping this along so positively.
CSR Map project contributes the benefit to local tourism by it sustain. I have experience with my member to this project.
Very good job for the innovative project.
The CSR-MAP is exactly what we needed.
Being one of the EU operators invited to the famtrip in June, I truly feel that this is what the current travellers seek.
Much insights into thai-lifestyle with comfort. High service standard and solid information, which allows travellers to enjoy the experience with a peace of mind even when they are in rural areas.
As a tour operator who specialises in Thailand travel for nearly 20 years, we had been looking for a way to “give back” to Thailand for a while. Something to show our appreciation to the country for enabling us to operate with one country as our travel destination. And now we found our way to go forward.
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for Swedish leisure market. But it is far too often beache-holidays with big hotels with low price all-inclusive packages. Within hundreds of thailand information websites written in Swedish, none of them emphasises this type of tours. It may be due to little obvious demands, hence little information availble, which leads few people know or think about responsible/sustainable travel in Thailand.
Our project, hence, is to have information readily available and reach to the market. We are currently designing a webpage on responsible travel in Thailand in Swedish, including the CSR-map projects, and CSR-Map famtrip was the final comfirmation I needed to push this forward.
You can reassure the travellers that they do something good by travelling, they are less of the “negative impacts of tourism in Thailand” as reported often. Making the travellers enjoy and feel good through the whole experience, and CSR-Map project reassures that our customers are well looked after with a high quality of service, through creating a good network and cooperation of all parties involved. On a personal note, work as a travel agent becomes much more inspiring and important life-career than just selling trips. What more can you ask as travel agent.
Thank you for CSR-Map team for all hard work!
Erawan Travel Sweden
As one of the media participants, I attended one of the FAM trips organized by CSR MAP in June and I would like to leave a comment here because it was an absolutely worthwhile experience. We met so much enthusiastic people and came away with plenty of footage to make a beautiful short documercial about this trip.
The whole project was set up and arranged very professionally and I think it is a great way of encourage tourism in Thailand to become more sustainable.
Good luck to all involved.
Very lucky to be one of the European touroperators to participate in the CSR MAP project to Thailand.The organisation really was perfect!We made a magnificent tour to the Korat region.Visiting Ban Prasat village was one of the highlights.This really was a very good example of sustainable tourism/development.
The staff of our tour were very helpful and very dedicated. For Thailand it could be very good to stimulate tourism in regions on the basis of this project. In this way local people can directly profit from tourism and I hope this all will be very succesful in the nearest future.
Seems to be Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) is working hard.
Having been one of the EU tour operators participating in the CSR MAP project, it was a great experience for me to meet so many kind and enthsiastic people willing to change Thailand’s style of tourism!
Everything was very well organized and all participants were keen on improving the situation for both Thais and EU tour operators!
This was the first step to improve or more or less develop sustainable tourism in Thailand.
I hope that the CSR-MAP project will recieve this award, so that such projects will suport Thailand and its inhabitants to benefit from more sustainable tourism in the future!
Thanks to the whole CSR-MAP team for having done such incredible work!
Thai from Mr. Dusit Butree, Koh Yao Noi Community Based Tourism Group:
จากการที่ชุมชนหลายชุมชนได้มีการจัดการทำท่องเที่ยวโดยชุมชนกันหลายชุมชน อย่างมีประสบกาณ์โดยทำกันแบบเครือข่ายมีภาคเหนือ,ภาคอีสาน,ภาคตะวันออก,ภาคกลาง ภาคใต้และร่วมกับ CBTi, TEATA ต่อมาเริ่มจากเดือนมีนาคมปี2552 ทางเครือข่ายท่องเที่ยวโดยชุมชน
ได้มีการจัดทำประชุมเชิงปฎิบัติการเพื่อสร้างมาตรฐานการท่องเที่ยวโดยชุมชนขึ้นภายใต้โครงการ(CSR-MAP Project Natinal Policy Workshop) ชึ่งมีภาคีเช่น ททท. สกว และอีก5 องค์กรดังนี้
1. Restaurants
2. Hotels
3. Touroperaters
4. Ecoguides
5. CBT
เป้าหมายเพื่อจะได้มีมาตรฐานเดียวกันและจะได้เป็นที่ยอมรับในระดับนโยบายของภาครัฐ กลุ่มคนทั่วไปนักท่องเที่ยวทั้งชาวไทยและชาวต่างประเทศ
จากดุสิต บุตรี (บังบ่าว)
ผู้ประสานงานการตลาดการท่องเที่ยวโดยชุมชนเกาะยาว
Translation into English:
Many Thai communities have developed community based tourism (CBT), and now have experience working together in networks across the country – in the north, north-east, east, center and south of Thailand. These networks have been working closely with TEATA and CBT-I since April 2009.
During the CSR-MAP project, there were workshops to develop a community based tourism (CBT) standard, such as the CSR-MAP Project National Policy Workshop, which many organisations attended, such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thailand Research fund, and 5 groups:
1. Restaurants
2. Hotels
3. Touroperaters
4. Ecoguides
5. CBT
We worked together to develop standards which would be accepted by the government, the general public and Thai and international tourists.
Mr. Dusit Butree (Bang Bao)
Coordinator of the Koh Yao Noi Community Based Tourism Club
The past decade has seen continual growth in consumer awareness of sustainability issues, as well as increasing demand for authentic experiences in holiday destinations.
CSR-MAP project already developed example routes for the local insight traveller and comfort traveller and also synergy workshop with suppliers in each route to work as a team.
I hope the idea of host-guest relationship as address for a decade is not too far to achieve. Giving an award to the CSR-MAP is it confirmed that work as a team is more power than work alone. To make tourism better you have to work as a partnership.
Potjana Suansri
The Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I)
Having been of the EU Experts participating in alocal CSR-MAP conference I have just taken a look at my written report (Nov 2009) and my general observations during that CSR-MAP Conference had been as follows:
“_There was a serious search for win-wins for all stakeholders involved.
_An intense exploration of shared and different interests, values, needs and fears has helped each single person to reflect the vision and activity of their own work.
_It has strengthened and built relationships at a national level.
…
It was also observed that the participants had a strong need to exchange their own past experiences and to adapt this knowledge to the Thai context by developing their own Thai standards (=ownership), rather than simply by trying to comply with the Global Sustainable Tourism Standards (GSTC).”
Due to its highly particpatory methods and its outcomes, CSR-MAP has certainly an innovative character.
Our organization is a responsible tour operator that has grown from tsunami relief into a wide range of projects focused on sustainable development. As such we have cooperated with both TEATA and CBT-I Thailand extensively over the last six years.
Their approach to sustainable tourism development is exemplary.
With respect to TEATA, they have consistently supported the communities of the North Andaman Coast – first by providing funds to repair boats damaged by the tsunami, and then by joining in a series of community tourism development workshops and fam trips.
CBT-I has been a close partner too – helping us to initiate our community tourism efforts and continuing to provide training, advice, and market access.
The high ethical standards and long-term follow through demonstrated by the CSR-MAP project are a function of it’s well-conceived design and rigorous implementation.
Although Andaman Discoveries was not directly involved in the CSR-MAP project, we wholeheartedly support their nomination for an award. The project is a model for how to bridge the community-level benefits of sustainable tourism with the needs of private sector.
I’m really interesting on this project. CSR-MAP are excellents project to link people in the world where we live to come and joy wonderful life by sustainable tourism way. We can’t wait any more because of the world get a lot damage bad pollution,global warming else.
The CSR-MAP is another of opportunity for a man who want to travel in green way to help pollution getting better and better in the future
By.
Green Hotel
Green Restuarant
Green Touroperaters
Green ecoguide
Grenn CBT
I really want to see people who are treveling to be in good with eco-freindly
CBT Phamon village Doi Inthanon.Chiang Mai-Thailand
This is a great initiative! There has been an increasing realisation within Thailand that the environmental and social impacts of tourism need to be carefully managed; otherwise, the positive economic benefits may soon be outweighed by negative economic outcomes resulting from environmental and social degradation.
The idea of aplying CSR in tourism is good. CSR is adding value to the product, i.e. the tourism services. CSR can also help develop new markets. It can attract new customers who have the purchasing power and are concerned how tourism impacts the environment.
Best of luck to those who try to make this work!
As an EU tour operator I participated in the CSR MAP project and I really enjoyed it, everything was very well organized. Sawadee Travel has been working with CBT-i communities for 6 years now and our clients really appreciate the visits to the local communities. I’m impressed by the positive and innovative developments that have taken place in Thailand in the field of sustainable tourism. I hope that within a few years all touroperors and accommodations in Thailand will work in a sustainable way.
The people involved in the CSR-MAP project have worked very hard and according to me they really deserve to receive this award!
Sawadee Travel – The Netherlands
Comment by Mr. Purushottam Pande, owner and director of Nepal Tours (http://www.nepal-tourz.com), based in Berlin, who attended our June 2010 FAM trip:
“I had the oppertunity to take part on this FAM trip in June 2010. It was the most efficiently organised. Very informative and have learned a lot. There is a slight difference in concept of Ecotourism in Germany and in Thailand. But the entire effort was very successful. I took part in many fam trips around the world. This was so far the best organised tour I ever had. This organisation is certainly entitled to the prestigious awards.”
Appreciated all the jobs and the comments done are good. As one of the original members with very much interest on the nature products which we also having some of the unique program presenting the true Thailand, nature , culture, ways of life of Raft house people as the only place on Sakaekrang River existing. Hopefully, we would have our program should be presented among our Nature community some days.
River Man
For your information, the CSR-MAP project went on to recieve a Gold Award from PATA, the Pacific Asia Travel Association For more information, please see http://www.pata.org/pata-gold-awards
>Peter
Congratulations on winning the PATA Gold Award and thank you for sharing the great news!
Friends at TIES – it’s a pleasure and thanks for your support
Congratulations to the team for the great work.
During the past years, the tourism industry in Thailand has enjoyed tremendous progress, with the numbers of tourists increasing every year. However, the rapid growth of tourism has resulted in some deterioration of the environment, particularly related to waste and the management of its disposal. This has led to a negative attitude toward the tourism industry by the general public. And from the tourists’ perspective, repeat visits are likely to decline if these environmental problems are not addressed.
Please update us on the latest to keep us in the loop.
Thanks
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