Cambodia tour, tailor made

Cambodia tour, tailor made

How Cambodia tour, tailor made makes a difference

Environment

Where possible, accommodation has been chosen for its eco friendliness. Travelling by bicycle, cyclo or on foot for many of the excursions mean that environmental impact has been kept to a minimum.

We encourage all our clients to take carbon reduction seriously and endorse Friends of Conservation’s 'Carbon Reduction Map' system, whereby you can easily calculate how much you should contribute for your flight. Recognising the many benefits that travel brings, Friends of Conservation offer travellers the opportunity to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of flying by supporting community and conservation initiatives. These include alternative energy and forestry programmes in Kenya and projects in Asia, South Africa and South and Central America that focus on habitat acquisition, conservation and renewable energy activities. In addition to reducing levels of atmospheric carbon, these programmes also provide a number of social, economic, educational and environmental benefits for local communities. There are four bands with suggested amounts per band based on the distance travelled from the UK for return flights, for a return flight to Cambodia a donation of £15 per person is suggested. *

*The suggested amounts are in line with DEFRA’s current guidelines for the cost per tonne of carbon and are based on the approximate levels of CO2 emitted on an average flight. We are very grateful to TICOS, the Travel Industry Carbon Offsetting Service, for kindly providing this information.

Community

On the ground in Cambodia we use an excellent, local, family-owned agent who demonstrates care for the environment, preservation of their culture and commitment to the community as well as providing employment opportunities for many local people throughout the country.

Angkor Wat is one of the very important world heritage sites in Southeast Asia but sadly much of the majestic complex is in a state of disrepair and ruin. The entrance fee, which is included in the cost of your trip, goes to the very much needed conservation, restoration and upkeep of the site.

The Hanuman Alaya hotel is a family run boutique property in Siem Reap. Supporting hotels such as this increases the amount of money brought in by tourists that will actually stay within the local community rather than leaving Cambodia and going to international companies.

Kep is generally perceived to be the poor relation of nearby Sihanoukville, the country’s largest beach destination owing to the fact that it lacks the choice of hotels or amenities. However, over the past few years Sihanoukville has become increasingly commercialised and over developed, by visiting Kep you are not only being treated to a unique part of Cambodia rarely visited by westerners but you will also be helping the local communities which are often overlooked in this area of the country.

You may wish to visit a locally run NGO or charity during your trip and by doing so you are supporting them in the vital work they do with Cambodia’s vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society who often receive little or no help from the government. For example The Tabitha Foundation has developed the Buy A Well Project to help improve the quality of life for Cambodian families by providing something everyone is entitled to — CLEAN WATER. You can spend a morning or afternoon visiting a village near Phnom Penh to learn about the difference a well can make to a family or community. Return to Phnom Penh to visit the Tabitha store, with an exceptional collection of hand-woven silk products, made by local people benefiting from Tabitha’s cottage industry programme. You may also choose to sponsor a well. The cost of a well, which benefits five families, is only US$88, including materials and drilling.

We recommend buying crafts, home wares and gifts from selected organizations that we can suggest so you can help support local communities and their skills and you also know that your money is directly benefiting the local economy.

There are many wonderful restaurants that we have patronised during our visits to Cambodia and can recommend to you but they also benefit the community in numerous ways. There are many restaurants which are training schools, they offer scholarships to underprivileged young Cambodians, giving the training they need to join the hospitality industry.

Cambodia tour, tailor made

Cambodia tour, tailor made