This is the first year of the South East Asia Responsible Tourism Awards, part of the World Responsible Tourism Awards. The Gold winners automatically enter the Global Responsible Tourism Awards sponsored by Sabre.
Gold: Tripseed (Thailand)
Tripseed’s strap line “It’s time to grow travel back better” articulates it ambition to facilitate authentic local connections offering day visits to, for example, to artists’ and artisans’ communities and removing barriers to travel for those with disabilities offering a range of specially designed and exclusive tours tailored to meet the needs of elderly and disabled travellers. “Extensive accessibility audits have been conducted across properties, tour locations and transportation – to evaluate everything from ramp inclinations, availability of grab bars, manoeuvrability clearance and many other important aspects, to advise our agents and partners on the most suitable travel options based on the level of assistance required. Tripseed is a DMC founded in 2021; they have collated database of detailed accessibility information across Thailand and have the first wheelchair-accessible Tuk Tuks, closing the gender and expat/local pay gaps. The judges were impressed by the range of efforts being made by Tripseed to make travel better and more inclusive. They report that In 2022, THEY were able to keep 89% of their business expenditure within Thailand, with only 11% leakage abroad.
Silver: DP Hanoi (Vietnam)
www.dphanoi.org.vn
www.facebook.com/dphanoi.org.vn
The judges recognised the replicability of their approach to increasing access for people with disabilities by online and in-person sessions to share expertise and foster collaboration by engaging persons with disabilities (PWDs), tourism students, and travel industry professionals. They have conducted 100 accessibility surveys and six strategic workshops focused on disability rights in tourism and asserting the rights of people with disabilities to travel. By recognising the work of DP Hanoi in this way the judges hope that others will take up and assert the rights of people with disabilities to travel.
Gold: Tropical Trekking
https://tropicaltrekking.club
www.facebook.com/tropicaltrekking
The judges were surprised and delighted to see the way in which Tropical Trekking blended the traditional trekking experience and cultural heritage, enhancing both the cultural experience for the trekker and the benefits to the local community whose culture is valued and shared. They work with local K'Ho Cil guides. Each trekking route is named after and tells a unique cultural story. They offer the village “hidden in the fog”, a salt trail, highland mountain cuisine and much more. They understand that trekking should not only be seen as a sport going out of their way to make it accessible and fun for children and the elderly. Tropical Trekking was established in 2019 to conserve the forest and indigenous culture and turn hunters into guides, providing them with a stable income and ensuring that they no longer have to rely on hunting, slash-and-burn farming, or logging for a living. Becoming guides, the Cil people can take pride in sharing their birthplace and culture with visitors.
Gold: Sukau Rainforest Lodge (Malaysia)
www.sukau.com
https://www.facebook.com/sukaurainforestlodge/
The lodge, part of Borneo Ecotours, was constructed using recycled wood and eco-design principles, solar heated showers, rainwater harvesting, waste management and a BioSolv Treatment System, a greener and better alternative in sewage treatment. It provides environmental education programmes to guests and the local community alike. “The lodge is currently providing employment for more than 80% of the local residents of Sukau, ensuring that economic benefits stay within the community. It also supports local Bornean artisans by selling their crafts at the lodge, providing them with a market for their products and promoting cultural heritage.” The judges were impressed by the comprehensive approach to making tourism nature-positive. As they pointed out in their application: We need to provide options and alternatives for the local people so they don't have to destroy their ecosystems. Through the power of ecotourism, we have the opportunity to turn them into advocates of conservation.”
Silver: Vuong Than Cong (Vietnam)
www.vuongthanhcong.com
www.facebook.com/Vuongthanhcong.cafe
The judges were impressed by the way in which organic coffee production has been linked with agritourism, They have worked with Buon Ma Thuot, the regional coffee capital of Vietnam, so that Vuong Thanh Cong, can sell the coffee at premium prices “increasing income from their coffee farms, improving the environment, reducing illnesses, and enhancing their family's quality of life. The Vuong Thanh Cong Company has cultivated large raw material area of 700 hectares, including nearly 5 hectares of certified organic coffee to create a place where students can experience, learn, and practice the organic coffee production process, see real coffee trees and understand coffee culture. The judges were impressed by this agritourism venture a place for domestic and international scientists, coffee industry professionals, and domestic and international tourists to explore, learn, share knowledge, learn about organic processes, and explore coffee culture.
One to Watch: RCE Kuching
https://rce.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/
www.facebook.com/RCEKuchingUCSI
RCE Kuching is a regional centre focused on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) located in the city of Kuching, engaging with all sectors of society, particularly youth, to enhance sustainability literacy in both urban and rural communities along the Sarawak River. RCE Kuching operates under the auspices of UCSI University Sarawak Campus. The judges were very impressed by the range of what is currently offered and the ambition to enhance environmental conservation efforts (sustainable resource management, habitat restoration, and biodiversity conservation) and cultural preservation and to deepen partnerships with local communities, empowering them in tourism development and advocating for eco-friendly behaviours among tourists and industry stakeholders. This is a very large programme supported by a university. We would like to see this entry again in a year or two with impact reports.
Gold: Six Senses, Krabey Island (Cambodia)
www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/krabey-island
www.facebook.com/sixsenseskrabeyisland/
With 40 private pool villas on a private island Krabey Island, provides restaurants, SPA, wellness, activities and sustainability life style: organic mattresses, plastic free amenities, mini bar, water bottle and modern technology with energy efficiency which includes the use of LED lighting, Lutron technology in our Villas to control lighting, shading, and temperature, ensuring optimal energy usage, water-saving toilet flush, and 50% of our villas feature green living roofs that reduce the temperature of the roof surface and surrounding air and solar panels for renewable energy sources. The Earth Lab at the heart of the resort, provides data on the resort’s consumption of water, energy, and waste and educates guests in “sustainable practical life hacks.” In 2023 Krabey Island achieved 59% local sourcing, and is on track to reach 70% in 2024. The judges were impressed by the range and depth of Six Senses’ efforts on Krabey Island to achieve sustainability by taking responsibility for its operations.
Gold: Sivatel Bangkok Hotel (Thailand)
www.sivatelbangkok.com
www.facebook.com/SivatelBangkokHotel
On its website the Sivatel spells out its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to environmental sustainability driven by a commitment to their customers, their local community and the planet. The hotel sources 70% of its ingredients organically, aiming for 100% by 2030, and partners with over 50 local farmers through the "Sivatel's Farmer Friends Network." Achieving zero food waste to landfill in 2023, they strive for zero overall waste by 2024 and plan to integrate renewable energy by 2025. The Sivatel supports local producers and fosters a sustainable ecosystem through the "Sivatel Sustainable Market," connecting staff, guests, and local vendors. The "From Kitchen to Chicken" program is a closed-loop system, diverting food scraps to feed black soldier fly larvae, which are then used as protein for organic chickens at Tankhun Organic Chicken Farm, promoting resource efficiency and fresh, organic eggs. Uniforms are designed by Folkcharm, a local sustainable fashion brand that works with a community in Loei, supporting local artisans while providing unique uniforms.
Silver: Solo Landscapes (Cambodia)
https://sololandscapes.co
www.facebook.com/sololandscapes
Solo Landscapes was founded five years ago to use ecotourism to educate both visitors and community members about conservation, and create local jobs, foster a sense of responsibility for the environment's well-being. By showcasing sustainable practices and the positive impact of ecotourism, they hope to inspire responsible behaviours within the community and enhance the tourist experiences. They have driven $112,000 towards sustainable practices, benefitting 58 community-based ecotourism projects, protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and community forests. Additionally, they’ve trained and coached 11 communities, empowering them to participate in tourism and generate income. This has resulted in an estimated $50,000 annual gain for these communities from tourism-related services. 58 women have gained income through cooking services for tourists.
Gold: Hanjeli Tourism Village (Indonesia)
www.wisatahanjeli.com
Hanjeli Tourism in Sukabumi, West Java, offers a unique experience of the local staple food hanjeli. With harvesting activities, food processing, and a special dish of hanjeli liwet rice. Hanjeli or adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi) is drought tolerant and has potential as a substitute for rice and as a prestigious food containing calcium, carbohydrates, fats, high protein, fiber, calcium minerals, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Amino acids contained in hanjeli grains consist of amino acids tyrosine, arginine, histidine, glutamate acid, lysine and leucine. Sukabumi is being promoted as a hanjeli village to improve the welfare of the community. the hanjeli tourism village provides a variety of creative economies in which it consists of processed hanjeli, hanjeli crafts, bamboo crafts, and many other products. all of which are done by the local community. Hanjeli is being promoted as an alternative to illegal gold mining, with all its associated ills, and tourism is being used to create a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable community.
Gold: Le Tonlé Guesthouse and Restaurant
www.letonle.org
www.facebook.com/letonletrainingcenter
Working in the remote northeast of Cambodia, rich in natural resources but with significant poverty and a lack of education, Le Tonlé is a training guesthouse and restaurant. It offers apprenticeships to a small number of vulnerable youths. The training focuses on kitchen, reception, service and housekeeping skills for disadvantaged youth and through skills development, secure stable employment for them and improve local business quality for sustainable growth in the future. Le Tonle is a social enterprise project of the Cambodian Rural Development Team a not-for-profit NGO in Cambodia. This will help solve the human development program of Cambodia and lift the poverty rate in the future. Le Tonie has struggled through the pandemic. More recently, the occupancy rate has averaged 85% over the high season periods but is relatively low, averaging 20% in the low season, attracting both international and domestic visitors. The judges were impressed by the vision and tenacity which lies behind this initiative and wish it every success. We also think that it is highly replicable and can make an important contribution to local economic development and poverty reduction in remote and undeveloped, but scenically attractive, areas.
Silver: Tinalah Tourism Village (Indonesia)
https://dewitinalah.com
https://web.facebook.com/desawisatatinalah
Dewi Tinalah is using tourism to create a market for local produce such as gotu kola leaf chips, different types of Tinalah chips, and Wingko Tinalah made with local coconut ingredients in the village. Coconut leaves are being used to create woven products for sale to tourists. The objective is community empowerment in the village through tourism to visit to experience the natural and cultural attractions, with accommodation in locally owned homestays and camping. Local people have been trained to provide guiding. 30 village residents are involved as guides in managing tourists. 60 residents' houses have been developed into homestays; others are involved in providing transport and food.
Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort (Malaysia)
www.borneoempurau.com
www.facebook.com/p/Borneo-Empurau-Farm-and-Resort-Sdn-Bhd-100063773478541/
The judges recognise the ambitious way in which the Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort (BEFR) is addressing the Responsible Tourism agenda. The Empurau or Tor Tambroides, also known as the “King of the River” is considered to be the most expensive freshwater fish in Malaysia and is only found in the rivers to raise awareness about responsible tourism practices among visitors and local residents, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship. of Sarawak. The judges wanted to recognise the scale of the effort by BEFR through sustainable aquaculture and its educational programmes to raise awareness about responsible tourism practices among visitors and local residents, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through these initiatives, BEFR is actively working to make tourism more responsible and sustainable in Sarawak. We look forward to our visit and to seeing the RT practices it BEFR. As they said in their entry to the Awards: “Through our commitment to creating shared value and increasing local sourcing, we aim to demonstrate that business success and social impact are not mutually exclusive but rather interconnected elements that can drive long-term prosperity for all stakeholders involved.”
