Track of the Tiger T.R.D, through its non-profit initiative VWB (Voluntourists-without-borders) is using voluntourism to alleviate rural poverty and to address environmental conservation issues. It does so by focusing the financial and ‘hands on’ assistance of its participating volunteers on the development of ecotourism products, that will be owned and operated by the rural Thai and ethnic minority villagers of northern Thailand.
VWB’s first product, the ‘Pang Soong Nature Trail’ is a stunning 4 hour walk along a pristine forest trail that follows the Mae Lai stream from the trail head at 1000m above sea level back into the mountains, and over or around some 17 waterfalls to the source at approximately 1500m. The project is a private sector/village community joint venture. Track of the Tiger and its partners own the Pang Soong Lodge, Outdoor Education & Research Centre located at the trail head, and the village community own the rights to the community forest through which the trail runs.
Track of the Tiger believes that the tourism industry should support the VWB model of voluntourism for two reasons.
1. Whilst they will make no profit on the voluntourism component itself, tour operators offering their clients the opportunity to volunteer for one or two days with VWB, as an extension to the northern Thailand itinerary, will enhance their corporate social responsibility image and place themselves firmly in the pro-sustainable/responsible tourism development camp. (options on www.voluntourists-without-borders.com)
Track of the Tiger operates 4 main products on and around the Pang Soong Nature Trail. Those products are available from April 2007. All have strong appeal to their respective and more affluent niche markets, and all provide revenue to the village ecotourism development in educational tourism and corporate team building.
An appeal to the Tourism Industry.
“Poverty alleviation, environmental degradation, human rights abuse and fair trade practices are all areas in which the tourism industry as a whole can and should bring its collective influence to bear.” Says Track of the Tiger “We therefore appeal to each of you individually for your assistance in promoting and marketing the VWB Initiative, in order that it may be developed to its full potential, and then replicated elsewhere.”
Further information:
Valere Tjolle
