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Since rebuilding their lives after the tsunami, some villagers in rural Thailand are using tourism as a tool for community development. One such project, Andaman Discoveries, is based in villages along the North Andaman Coast that were among the most severely affected. With the assistance of international volunteers, villagers such as Chim now offer homestays, day tours, and other activities – allowing visitors to participate in the traditional way of life that so often eludes the casual tourist.
As she guides a group through the village, Chim explains, “The tsunami was a terrible thing, but it also helped us to open our minds to new opportunities. We are now ready to welcome the world, and share our way of life with respectful visitors.”
Unusually, the new opportunities have been created by and for the community, allowing progress to coexist with the traditional fishing culture. A village committee approached tsunami relief groups and requested assistance in developing community-based tourism, leading to the formation of Andaman Discoveries – a non-profit dedicated to linking development and tourism in tsunami affected villages.
As a result of its groundbreaking efforts, Andaman Discoveries has been shortlisted for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, the biggest of its kind in the world and Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Awards. “Andaman Discoveries has recognized that the best custodians of cultural heritage are the local people and they have worked with communities to empower them,” said Justin Francis, Director of Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. The awards are organized by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in association with The Times and the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society. Teaching at a village school allows people to 'give something back' to the communities that they visit.
When asked what she has learned from her experience in Tung Nang Dam village, Chim declares, “We understand how to connect tourism with our culture, and in way that makes our village strong by supporting needs such as children’s activities, a community center, orchid conservation, and waste management awareness.”
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