Make a difference on holiday in Thailand

For most tourists who have holidayed in Thailand, a break there has meant soaking up the hedonistic nightlife and full moon parties of resorts like Phuket, and finding peace in the tranquil Buddhist temples.

However, more and more tourists are beginning to take a different approach to their holidays in Thailand, and are seeking to combine having a good time with making a difference to the community they are staying in.

'Meaningful tourism' is growing in popularity around the world, and the tourist authority in Thailand is taking steps to ensure there is a multitude of options available to the empathetically minded traveller.

Educational tours allow visitors to learn more about where they are staying, the history and culture of the area and community life.

This helps meet the demands of tourists who, according to Peter Semone, the vice-president of development for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), want greater interaction with the communities they are visiting.

"Today’s travellers are not fulfilled by getting on a tour bus. They want an interaction that comes from a host community.

"They want to go and learn something — to feel and touch."

Tourists can go to villages and learn how they cook local cuisine, study their religion and meet artists who can give them first-hand guidance to culture.

Holidaymakers can also visit rural village schools, a wildlife sanctuary’s animal rehabilitation clinic, an urban orphanage, and national parks to observe their reforestation projects.

'Voluntourism' sees tourists not just learning about the communities they visit, but also lets them improve communities' lives. This is often through construction projects, of public buildings like schools and hospitals, where holidaymakers can get their hands dirty and really make a difference. XXX