THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

#COMMUNITY #ENRICHING

The powerof community

As Thailand reopens to tourists, supporting community initiatives is the key to sustaining traditions and bolstering local economies. By Julie Miller

A RENEWED FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY HAS seen the rise of community tourism experiences in Thailand, a mutually beneficial arrangement with visitors keen to make a positive impact on the environments they visit.

Over the past decade, many destination management companies (DMCs) – from global bigwigs such as G Adventures and World Expeditions to smaller, region-based companies – have incorporated tours that support local initiatives into their portfolios. Some communities, however, have chosen to cut out the middleman and create their own successful tourist ventures, offering full immersion with homestays and cultural projects.

HERE ARE A FEW EXPERIENCES WORTH CHECKING OUT

HIVESTERS

Founded by two sisters with a family background in travel, Hivesters’ mission is to preserve authentic Thai culture by empowering local masters to share their skills. Their extensive range of tours includes a foodie experience in Phuket’s Old Town and a natural detox on an organic farm near Chiang Mai.

NUTTY’S ADVENTURES

This award-winning responsible tourism company specialises in community-based tours, from going off-the-beatentrack in Phayao Province in northern Thailand to working alongside farmers in rice paddies in Nakhon Pathom.

PLANETERRA

G Adventures’ non-profit arm helps empower local communities and conserve cultures in more than 70 countries. One of its Thailand projects is a program empowering women and youth in Khao Thep Pitak in Suratthani, benefitting 225 community members.

BAAN TA KHAN THONG HOMESTAY

Explore the hybrid Isaan/Lanna cultures of this northern Thailand village, with its homestay program promoting traditional games and riverside culture.

INTERVIEW

The HiveSters

community

HiveSters is a social enterprise helping to preserve Thai culture while providing an immersive experience for tourists. Founder Achiraya Thamparipattra explains. By Deborah Dickson-Smith

One of the best ways to experience authentic Thai culture is to immerse yourself with the locals; take a food tour, learn a craft, or perhaps even discover how to dance.

HiveSters was founded with a mission to help Thai culture flourish by empowering locals to share their knowledge, traditions and customs with the world through sustainable tourism initiatives.

According to founder Achiraya; “HiveSters works like a beehive: a hive of culture heroes that work together to help preserve local culture from the inside out and from the outside in. We cherish their local traditions, develop sustainable tourism programs, and train the locals in necessary knowledge such as entrepreneurship, storytelling and customer service skills.

“I grew up in a family travel business and saw Thailand’s precious culture and communities disappearing because the local masters don’t earn enough income. So the culture disappears and the next generation doesn’t see the benefits of continuing tradition, opting to choose other occupations.

“I wanted to use my passion for travel and Thai culture, and my experience in tourism and business, to revive the disappearing culture. Every trip generates direct income for locals, which not only helps support the artisans, but also their family members while helping to keep the culture alive.”

Profit generated from the trips goes to support HiveSters cultural projects, including the Hive Academy, a capacity building program and Creative Culture, a community cultural youth program, among others.

And for tourists, a creative and fun travel experience is promised, where they learn and connect with locals, get to see Thailand on a

WATCH

The HiveSters story on YouTube.

OPENING SPREAD: Community experiences range from paddling tours, learning how to dance, discovering cuisine with street food cooks and exploring Bangkok’s canal communities. BELOW: Learning how to dance with ‘Granny Master’ and how to make a Thai kite with ‘Uncle Kite’. All images © HiveSters deeper level and have more meaningful experiences.

“Travellers will not only have a good time, but the experience will also make their hearts bloom. There are a variety of experiences to choose from.

“For example, our gastronomy experience where we bring travellers to the hidden and local food hub in the community... travellers will savour a variety of local delicious Thai food. They can also learn how to cook street food like Pad Thai with a street food cook. Learn a traditional Thai dance with the ‘Granny Master’ and help preserve the disappearing culture, or learn how to make a Thai kite with ‘Uncle Kite’ in the wooden community next to the canal.

“I think post-COVID, people will travel longer, and they will [be] looking to connect more with the destination they visit, learning the culture from the locals. Community experiences are the perfect fit.”