EXO’s vetted collection of community-based tourism experiences offers travellers the chance to engage with destinations in a way that meaningfully supports local populations.
These experiences are run by dedicated local organisations, ensuring that tourism revenue is shared across the community, fostering long-term economic and social benefits.
From guided tours led by residents to hands-on workshops in traditional crafts and captivating cultural performances, each activity provides an authentic connection to the community’s way of life. This approach not only enhances the travel experience but also empowers local people by generating jobs and funding essential community projects.
Choosing community-based tourism means travellers actively contribute to sustainable development while enjoying an immersive, enriching journey.
Community-based tourism is one of ten key categories in EXO’s Travel for Good rating system, which evaluates the sustainability of our offerings. Experiences that meet our criteria are clearly marked with Travel for Good icons on our website and in our digital tools, making it easier for partners to identify and book responsible, impactful experiences.
Continue reading to explore a sample of EXO’s community-based tourism experiences.
Experience the life of Lao people with an immersive visit to an organic farm. Connect with the land and the people while working in the rice paddies and vegetable gardens. Learn about traditional agriculture techniques and the efforts being made to promote organic farming throughout Laos.
Cycle along Hoi An’s Thu Bon River for a closer look at how the river is connected to daily life in the region. Follow rural laneways, stopping to explore hidden handicraft villages, meet with fishermen and enjoy lunch in a family home- all the while forging a deeper connection to communities and their culture.
Explore various sustainable-living initiatives practised in Ban Pong Huai Lan village. Just an hour away from Chiang Mai , meet the residents and learn about sustainable farming methods, indulge in local delicacies and get hands-on, making handicrafts.
A hands-on experience, weaving water hyacinth items in a traditional Khmer wooden house alongside a local woman artisan. Engage in this mindful activity and craft a personalised souvenir, selecting both colour and design preferences.
About Travel for Good
Travel for Good is EXO’s innovative, comprehensive rating system that gauges the sustainability of our travel experiences.
Each of our experiences, tours and hotels goes through a ratings process inspired by the three pillars of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. Following the evaluation, products are then tagged with Travel for Good icons on our website and within our digital tools.
Through this analysis, we’ve identified an array of sustainable travel experiences and tours. Our overall goal is to guide you, our partners, towards responsible choices that generate positive impacts in our destinations both for locals and for our planet while ensuring your guests have feel-good trips of a lifetime.
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