Community - CBT Environment Sustainability

“Sustainable CBTbusiness in sustainable tourism”

Presented bySoren Wettendorff

Director of Sales - Asian Oasis Ltd.

Sustainable Development

People depend on nature's capital, i.e. on nature's steady supply of basic requirements

for life, for example energy for heat and mobility, quality food and water for healthy living, ecological sinks for waste absorption. Therefore, diminishing our planet's natural

capital will lead to the destruction of humanity's own home.

Environmentally / Economically Sustainable Development

• is envisaged as leading to the management of all resources in a way, and

at a rate which enables people to meet their needs now without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their

own needs.

• (Brundland Report, 1987)

ICLEI definition International Council for Local Environmental

Initiatives

„Development that delivers basic environmental, social and economic services to all, without threatning the viability of the ecological and community systems upon which

these systems depend“

UNEP Criteria:United Nations Environment Programme

• Contributes to conservation of biodiversity. • Sustains the well being of local people. • Includes an interpretation / learning experience. • Involves responsible action on the part of

tourists and the tourism industry. • Is delivered primarily to small groups by small-

scale businesses. • Requires the lowest possible consumption of

non-renewable resources. • Stresses local participation, ownership and

business opportunities, particularly for rural people.

While the details vary, most definitions of Sustainable

and CBT-Tourism boil down to a special form of tourism

that meets three

win-win-win criteria:

1) it provides for environmental conservation

2) it includes meaningful community participation

3) it is profitable and can sustain itself.

Simplified Definition

Asian Oasis Company

Asian Oasis – has been active in the Thai travel industry for 18 years under different constellations, owners & names.

Established as an independent company since 2006, Asian Oasis company brand are the owner and operator of 6 individual products;

Community based Eco Lodges:

- Lisu Lodge & Khum Lanna + 2 mountain outposts in Chiang Mai

- Lanjia Lodge in Chiang Rai

Traditional wooden boats:

- Mekhala Rice Barges in Bangkok (3 Boats)

- June Bahtra Chinese Junks on Phuket Island (3 boats)

- Suwan Macha Chinese Junk on Phuket Island (1 boat)

Asian Oasis - Mythical Journeys

- is a collection of unique and individual travel experiences which take you through the Kingdom of Thailand from the Northern Province of Chiang Rai to the southern paradise island of Phuket.

Created by passionate travelers, for 18 years Asian Oasis has worked closely with local communities to create sustainable community-based tourism while conserving the natural surroundings.

Not a tour operator, nor a hotel, but as of both, Asian Oasis offering packages containing all aspects of well balanced programs that integrate experiences, healthy meals and overnight stays in one product, with no possibility for individual room reservations. This is to preserve the authenticity and balance between the tourist, the environment and the local population. “Sustainable Tourism.”

Sustainable Projects in ThailandBy Asian Oasis

Lisu Lodge

•Bang Chang District, Chiang Mai Province

Lanjia Lodge

•Kiew Karn District, Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai Province

Himmarpaan Foundation

•Reforestation & Environment

•EarthCare (Various educational activities)

Chiang Mai

Baan Chang, Chiang Mai

Lisu Lodge‣ Located in a Lisu Hilltribe community

‣ 4 Traditional Houses, each with 6 guest

bedrooms.

‣ Common dining & living area at each home

‣ Central bar area, steam bath and gift shop

Sustainability & Community

‣ Market area for the community

‣ Environmental concerns for the buildings and the

grounds

‣ Energy consumption concerns : solar heating &

lighting

‣ Employ 19 Lisu people from the village to work

at the lodge

‣ Engage local suppliers for all activities

‣ Organic vegetable garden

Chiang Rai

Kiew Karn, Chiang Rai

Lanjia Lodge‣ Established in Collaboration with the

Population & Development Association

(PDA)

‣ Located in a Hmong & Lahu community

‣ 4 Traditional houses, each with 4 guest

rooms

‣ Common dining & living area at each home

Sustainability & Community

‣ Presentation area introducing the work of

PDA

‣ Environmental concerns for the building &

the grounds

‣ Energy Consumption concerns : lighting &

gas water heater

‣ Employ 15 Hmong & Lahu people from the

village to work at the lodge

‣ Batik making area in the community

Responsible Tourism

•Each local authority should enter into a dialogue with its citizens, local organisations, and private enterprises, and adopt a "local agenda 21".

Agenda 21 is the action plan for sustainable development for the 21st century adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) - the Earth Summit - held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

Asian Oasis was founded on the principles of sustainable development emphasizing on; 

•Preservation: of culture, traditions, nature and community •Sustaining: the natural environment and the livelihood of the community •Building strong and vibrant communities and protecting the environment •Delivering the authentic experience to the visitors

Preservation

Preservation of traditions, cultures, communities and the nature

Sustaining

Create Long term Opportunities & Economic Prosperity

Creating:

employment, small business’ & education opportunities

Building

• Skilled Work force

• Local business

• Education

• Strong family ties and community life

Delivering, an Authentic Experience

We give our guest the opportunity to exchange and experience with the local community and their surroundings.

Experience Sustainable Activities

The EarthCare Program

Designed to ensured that the local community and Asian Oasis works towards a common goal which is to sustain the livelihood of the community and their environment.

Creating opportunities for community projects through schools, institutions, internships and volunteers.

‣ Learning & Building:

Community and Environment

‣ Discovery: New culture and

self

‣ Awareness: traditions,

communities issues and

environment.

‣ Past Projects: ‣ Building dams, schools & Museums

‣ Implementing waste recycling in villages

‣ Cleaning up the local community

‣ Teaching English

‣ Endangered Giant Cat Fish preservation

EarthCare Students

Learning, building and sustaining community and environment.

Education :

Community life: - Ethnic Minority along the Mekong RiverThursday Market, Song Pi Nong, Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai •Learn about cross border trade of small communities between Laos and Thailand.

‣ Building; environment & community

interaction

‣ Leadership

‣ Bonding & Cultural Exchange

‣ Retreat

‣ Self Awareness & Balance

EarthCare Corporate

Volunteer: Conversational English Class’ to local students

• Micheal Peschadt of BBC Peschardt's People• Young Skal Association• Mekong Tourism Forum

Volunteers : Working with the Local community to reforest areas where villagers have encroached.

Himmapaan Foundation

Himmapaan Foundation is a network of organizations, individuals and companies mainly in the travel-related industries. Working together to support sustainable tourism in areas where tourism has had an impact on the environment and local traditions.

It strives to encourage travelers to take part in activities to restore or improve the quality of life of local people in their communities and environmental protection projects.

Asian Oasis & Himmapaan Foundation

‣ Active member of the HMP Foundation

‣ Manage HMP Visitor Center

‣ Encourage & sells activities with travelers

participation

‣ Participate in seed collection and annual

tree planting

Asian Oasis - Activities

Lahu Hill Tribe: the community is only accessible by trek.

• Education program: building a local school & English lessons (Kru Su Doi)• Cultural & Heritage Perservation: museum building • Reforestation: seed collection and waste disposal.

Lahu Outpost: Koop Kup District, Chiang Mai

Kru Su Doi: Developed with the Himmapaan to raise funds for the salary of a school teacher at Kop Kup Lahu village, Chiang Mai.

The project helps children in the village ages between 2-7 years old to have access to education.

Before the project began, the children had to trek for hours from their hill tribe village to attend school, which is located on the foothill

Reforestation

• Volunteers work with local communities to plant trees in area which they impacted.• Volunteers educate and work with the locals on the reforestation.

Mekhala - Traditional Rice Barges• Life on Thailand Oldest Commercial River• Study on the impact of communities living along the river by visits

June Bathra : traditional Chinese Junks in Phuket

Working with local fishermen and Muslim community in Phang Nga Bay (Boat Crew, Catering, etc.)

The following principles should be followed by everyone who

implements and participates in ecotourism activities:

Minimize impact Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts Provide direct financial benefits for conservation Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate Support international human rights and labour agreements

so that our children can enjoy the same resources and beauty that we have for generations.

for information please contact:

email: info@asian-oasis.com

website: www.asian-oasis.com