We regularly present sustainable examples and projects supporting a socially acceptable and environment-friendly vacation in Thailand on our Green Travel Blog. Moreover, we introduce you on a regular basis to regions which have not yet been discovered by a great number of tourists providing an authentic and quieter insight of the diverse country. Many people still travel to the hot spots like the islands Koh Samui, Koh Tao and of course also Bangkok. However, also within those hot spots you will find different initiatives supporting environment protection or social responsibility – and in some of that projects you can take part as a visitor. Let us introduce some of the projects to you.
“Travel Thailand in Style, Reduce Plastic Waste”
That’s how the strategy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for a more sustainable tourism is called. It intends, among the rest, a clear reduction of the produced waste: 50% less garbage until 2020. To realize that ambitious target, TAT is in constant exchange with different businesses of the tourism branch providing advice for reusable products, like a water donator or cotton bags.
Environment protection on Koh Samui
Most of you might have already heard of the beautiful island with its white sandy beaches lined with palms. The amount of travelers constantly increases making the island one of the most popular holiday destinations in Thailand. At the same time the need for a healthy balance between the service for tourists on one and the protection of the ecosystem on the other side rises. An important objective here is the avoidance and reduction of disposable plastic. However, Koh Samui goes one step further and wants to exile all one-way plastic products from the island and also produce less rubbish.
This means: everyone must pull together! The accommodations and hotels, as well as the tourists, must be involved and rethink their behavior. Always in the center stage are the 3 “R’s”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. According to TAT governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn the beginning is made, but „changes do not happen overnight. We perceive a reinforced use of reusable material bags and the visitors, as well as the inhabitants fulfil their part to keep our island clean.“
Community based approaches on Koh Tao
The island Koh Tao is liked for its impressive underwater world in particular by divers and water sportsmen. However, the growing customer numbers unfortunately have left traces, so now everyone is working together: local, and partly private organizations protect the environment with the help of the locals and the travelers.
The internationally operating organization „Trash Hero“ for example, organizes not only beach clean ups on Koh Tao, but provides educational work on the island and as of late offers a steel bottle which can be filled on the island at different places and should decrease the use of plastic bottles.
The local initiative “Get Involved Koh Tao” originated from a union of several diving schools who exert themselves together to different nature conservation projects, also organizing beach and reef clean ups, supporting coral reforestation and have brought to life a monthly Koh Tao Eco Day. Both organizations offer a participation during your vacation. Simply have a look on the web pages or Facebook about upcoming activities.
You can find even more exciting sustainable initiatives in Thailand here:
Green Thailand: sustainable initiatives in the tourism industry
If you need more ideas for your next eco- and socially friendly vacation, we like to take this blog post to your heart: 10 easy tips for responsible traveling which really everybody can realize 🙂
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