Voluntourists
THE VOLUNTOURISTS WITHOUT BORDERS INITIATIVE
‘Don’t exploit - explore, embrace, enhance, empower and enjoy’. (The VWB code)
Overview
Voluntourists without borders is an initiative in Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand aimed at using volunteer labour and donor funding, to alleviate rural poverty, protect the forests and promote sustainable ecotourism.
Track of the Tiger T.R.D. Co. Ltd., (Tourism Resources Development) and its non-profit arm - VWB - The Voluntourists Without Borders Initiative - is working with local rural communities to develop a sustainable ecotourism industry of world class standard, in Northern Thailand.
The attractions themselves are to be owned and operated by the rural and ethnic minority villagers, but built with the help of ‘hands on’ assistance from paying volunteers/ voluntourists, working alongside the villagers.
Their joint efforts will be aided by individual and corporate (CSR) sponsorship and donations, as well as by tour industry support via the ecotourism, educational tourism, corporate team building, adventure racing, and scientific research market clients - provided by the private sector - tourism development partner - Track of the Tiger T.R.D.
We appeal to Institutional donors for funding to cover:
• Scientific research - baseline environmental and socio-economic studies that students and volunteers can provide follow up data gathering for.
• Sponsorship of suitably qualified interns to work on the VWB Initiative.
• Full or part sponsorship of school groups to attend our programmes - possibly accompanied by your own staff.
• Funding for small construction projects related to the nature trail development, and to improve infrastructure / equipment in the schools where the VWB Initiative teaches English under a long term support programme.
Please contact Mr. Shane K Beary, CEO the Track of the Tiger Group for a site visit.
Please also review the website on www.voluntourists-without-borders.com for more detailed information.