Corporate Social Responsibility

Our region of expertise, Indochina, encompasses some of the world's poorest nations, where the gap between rich and poor is huge and the threat of destruction of natural resources a real concern. The rapid growth of tourism in Southeast Asia has led to rising environmental concerns including habitat degradation, the over-consumption of resources, and pollution.

Tourism also introduces foreign visitors to traditionally sheltered areas which may threaten the ability of indigenous communities to protect their cultural heritage.

However, tourism done responsibly can be a life-enriching experience for both the traveller and the host community. Furthermore, tourism fights poverty and brings hope. Khiri Travel, like many responsible organizations, believes that, with the right choices, tourism can enhance cultural understanding, respect the environment, and bring economic growth. A friendly smile between visitor and host is also priceless.

Community

Across Indochina and Thailand, our contribution starts by supporting community businesses. Wherever possible, Khiri Travel prefers to use local hotels, lodges, restaurants, handicraft outlets, arts and culture centres and guides to best serve our clients. In our offices we use local products where we can. In Thailand, our offices use only coffee and tea from the Royal Projects in the North of Thailand. The proceeds benefit tribal minorities.

Conservation

The unique culture of local people and the biodiversity of forest and sea are under threat across Southeast Asia (and the world). onservation of cultural and natural heritage should be a major the pillar s to sustain tourism in our region.

As a responsible operator, Khiri Travel values and respects the unique traditions and customs of indigenous groups. We do our best to help and sustain them. Khiri Travel is also a member of Wildlife at Risk which aims to protect endangered animals. We encourage tourists to visit the Wildlife at Risk sanctuary near the Cu Chi tunnels in Vietnam.

Environment

Climate change and the threat to the environment is a global challenge. We try to minimize the impact of our tours on the environment. We have very strict rules for our guides and groups, such as a "zero litter" policy.
Where possible, we use recycled materials and promote electronic communications to reduce paper usage. We limit our printed materials. We encourage our clients to use our web sources, such as www.khiri.com and www.khiri-dmc.com as their primary source of information about our products and services.

Empowerment

Across Indochina, Khiri Travel prefers to use accommodations, restaurants and small businesses that train and employ disadvantaged youngsters.

Women need more empowerment. We hire them when we can. Likewise, Khiri Travel employs the physically challenged. Mrs Nok, our blind telephone operator and receptionist in our head office in Bangkok, is one of our very capable team members. Our offices in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are co-owned by locals.

Khiri Reach, our not-for-profit division is currently actively involved in setting up a sustainable community tourist project in Sambor Prei Kuk in Cambodia that supports local people and enhances their skills.

Support and input of our the tour operators we work with, and their passengers is of the utmost importance to the overall success of Responsible Travel.

Click here to see Khiri Travel's do's and don'ts for responsible travel in our region.