JOB CREATION
FINDING ADVENTURE IN INDIGO
SAKON NAKHON PROVINCE, THAILAND
In Thailand, there are more places than crowded, popular beaches to draw your attention. A community-based tourism organization has put together rural experiences that are rewarding for visitors and lesser known destinations. Off-the-beaten-path experiences can offer you unique insights, support small communities and help spread the benefits of tourism more evenly across a region.
What's
changing
Community-based tourism projects help local economies by promoting travel that respects and leans on local cultural and natural resources. These initiatives ensure that the money spent by tourists benefits the community, rather than just a few people.
What's already
possible
In Thailand, the Nong San Community Based Tourism Initiative is using tourism product development and business incubation to bring the benefits of Thailand’s tourism economy to rural communities.
Seizing
the opportunity
The Nong San community-based tourism (CBT) initiative in Thailand developed through two phases. The first phase focused on identifying unique experiences in the area that would have tourism relevance. The research identified indigo, organic agriculture and textiles as topics that could be converted into tourism experiences. The second phase focused on how to make these experiences as sustainable as possible through best practices for environmental stewardship and circular economies. Multi-day tours are now offered to visitors who are eager to learn more about rural life and the traditions that have been passed down through generations in Thailand.
Standout
tactic
The initiative also trains members of the community in social media marketing to help them promote their experiences and unique environment to a global audience.
How
it helps
The Nong San initiative has economically advanced the local community, moving livelihoods beyond traditional agriculture with sustainable practices that improve conservation and waste management. Socially, it has strengthened community bonds and fostered inclusivity across generations and genders.
Diving
deeper
How can initiatives like the Nong San Community-Based Tourism Initiative ensure that claims of environmental stewardship and circular economy practices are substantiated with measurable and verifiable actions?
Increasing
impact
Engaging diverse partners can introduce more resources, innovative practices and greater visibility to programs like Nong San CBT. This approach would foster a more resilient model for sustainable tourism, setting a global standard and ensuring long-term community prosperity.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
