Bangkok to Singapore small group holiday

Planet

As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.

We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when travelling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment. For example on trips like this one through South East Asia where dress standards are conservative, particularly outside of the major cities, we recommend our travellers (both female and male) wear loose, lightweight clothing so as not to offend, particularly when visiting religious sites.

Travelling through Thailand, Malaysia and on into Singapore reveals very diverse countries, each with its own individual landscape and culture. This trip has been designed to pass through these regions as considerately as possible, while maximising the experience of our group. We use local transport where ever possible, from an overnight sleeper train to tuk tuks, songthaews (adapted picked up trucks with bench seating) to public buses.

People

We stay in small, locally owned properties reflective of the local flavour, utilising both hotels and guesthouses and we support cottage industry staying with local hosts at a village homestay in southern Thailand.

All produce used throughout the trip is sourced locally en route. We eat at local restaurants, encourage our travellers to only purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team (including the group leader) from the local communities that we travel through. All these elements not only give a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

As a company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.

Projects in Thailand directly assisted by the foundation (and thus by our travellers to the region), include Friends of the Asian Elephant, which aims to protect and conserve the welfare of elephants - both domesticated and wild, providing free medical care and transportation when required and. Baan Unrak (House of Happiness), an orphanage and community relief centre for children and destitute women. Providing shelter, food, clothing, education, employment, love and support for those in need.