VILLAGE TO THE WORLD PROJECT
Value adding initiative to strengthen community tourism
The Village to the World Project is a program aimed at increasing value and upgrading community tourism. The objective is to create tourism innovations for communities while transforming attraction-based tourism into activity-based tourism. In other words, tourism that isn’t as reliant on only natural attractions, but rather, involving stories about learning activities and exchanges of experiences within communities. By taking this approach, value is added to tourism by expanding the market to attract new groups of tourists while at the same time creating additional opportunities for communities to earn a more sustainable income from tourism.
In 2016, the project launched its first program under the name “MEET IN THE VILLAGE #BestCSROutingEver”. This is a kind of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) outing–style tourism program, with corporations making up the target market. The program aims to highlight the unique features, identities, learning foundations, arts, culture and lifestyles of communities in order to create, develop and tell new stories in the form of team building and workshop activities. As a result, employees from these organizations will be able to learn and exchange their experiences with each community. Visitors can enjoy getting to know more about the way of life of the communities but most importantly, get a sense of satisfaction in sharing and participating in various CSR activities that benefit these communities.
OUR PROGRAM
The community tourism program “Village to the World” was created with the main concept of being a program that adds value to communities and tourism while expanding the tourism market to new groups of people. In turn, this will create opportunities for communities through sustainable marketing channels in order to earn increased income from tourism.
MEET IN THE VILLAGE
Best CSR Outing Ever!
Community tourism innovation in the form of CSR outings for corporations involves highlighting the unique features, identities, learning foundations, arts, culture and lifestyles of communities in order to create, develop and tell new stories in the form of team building and workshop activities. As a result, employees from these organizations will be able to learn and exchange their experiences with each community. Visitors can enjoy getting to know more about the way of life of the communities but most importantly, be entertained by the features and charms of various the entire organization can get a sense of satisfaction in sharing and participating in various CSR activities that benefit these communities.
THE VILLAGE EXPLORER
Let's Explore the World
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the Village Explorer #Let’s Explore the World showcasing seven model tourism communities for children and youths to support schools and new generation families in taking their kids on outings or camp-outs in tourism communities and opening the world of learning for them outside the classroom, while at the same time generating income for local Thai communities.
VDO GALLERY
Best Outing ever! Watch the videos of past CSR outing trips of many companies that learned about new experiences in the MEET IN THE VILLAGE program. You can see for yourself all the fun community activities – all of which are described by every organization in the same words as
“Best CSR Outing Ever”
CEO VOICES ON THEIR CSR OUTING IN THE VILLAGE
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) | Baan Ku Ka Sing, Roi Et., said, “There is plenty of current research pointing out the benefits of employee outings to strange and new places. They say the objective is to promote creativity and new inspiration for employees. This is particularly true if corporations pick unique local communities with outstanding stories like the Baan Ku Ka Sing, Roi Et. Over here, there are lots activities offering new experiences to employees. Importantly, the CSR activities benefit the communities, too. I guarantee it. Any company that does its outing at Ku Ka Sing, Roi Et, will fall in love with the farmer’s lifestyle here … so much that they won’t want to go back to Bangkok.”
Dr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) | Baan Tam Suea Homestay, Phetchaburi, said, “In fact, the Baan Tam Suea Homestay at Phetchaburi is a community that is part of the Tree Bank Project supported by BAAC. The community has been successfully developed into a model community. And right now, TCEB is getting involved in the expansion and continuation of the project as it helps promote the MEET IN THE VILLAGE Campaign. This will help corporations get to know the community a little better and give them an idea about where to take their employees on corporate or CSR outings. It will generate income for the local economy; and not just for the community but also for the hotels, accommodation suppliers, restaurants and local tourist destinations in the area.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, Chief Executive Officer, Thai Air Asia | Baan Rai Kong Khing, Chiangmai, said, “Baan Rai Kong Khing is a small, charming Lanna (northern Thai) community. Our Air Asia employees are always coming up with ideas and taking part in activities in the community, especially on promoting English skills so the community can communicate readily and confidently as Chiang Mai is a major tourist destination for foreigners. Recently, community members, children, and adults have been showing the village great interest and attention. If any public or private agency would like to organize an outing and community CSR, we believe Baan Rai Kong Khing is the place to do it. It is certainly a fascinating option.”
Dr. Somporn Suebthawilkul, Managing Director, Dhipaya Insurance PCL. | Baan Rimklong Homestay, Samut Songkhram, said, “At Baan Rimklong Homestay, you can experience nature, traditional culture, and a beautiful community lifestyle. This kind of lifestyle is quite rare nowadays, so I invite all companies who would like to organize outings or CSR trips to Baan Rimklong Homestay, Samut Songkhram. The community needs more ideas from a new perspective that would improve community sustainability. I think this community is another favorite place for company outings and CSR trips. It’s sure to impress the employees in your organization.”
Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Chief Executive Officer, Bangkok Airways PCL. | Mueang Kao Sukhothai, said, “If a corporation is planning an outing, I Mueang Kao Sukhothai. Sukhothai has an ancient history and culture. There are many stories, places and great Sukhothai food. The flight from Bangkok to Sukhothai is only an hour. It’s exhausting to sit in cars. So, just fly there instead. We can do many things to help the community survive sustainably. And Sukhothai has a lot to offer. Aside from the historical sites where Sukhothai triumphs in terms of ancient sites, the people still offer cultural activities that are signatures of Sukhothai. You can compete and test out your skills and take photographs of the many great scenes. Oh, and don’t forget to ride the Rot Khok Mu in Sukhothai.”
Dr. Verapong Chaiperm, Governor, Industrial Estate of Thailand | Baan Phra Bat Huai Tom, Lamphun, said: “Lamphun, although only a small province, is home to ancient Lanna history. As part of a Buddhist kingdom that prospered for over six hundred years, Lamphun is culturally diverse and is home to attractive lifestyles for many people. This is especially true at Baan Phra Bat Huai Tom. The community of Pga K’nyau (Karen) is deeply faithful to Buddhism. The community adheres to the Five Precepts and is vegetarian. I think corporations with executives and employees who enjoy making visits to temples, making merit and bringing good fortunes to their lives, would certainly like this place.”
Mr. Apirom Sukprasert, Senior Executive Vice President, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) | Koh Lone Rawai, Phuket, said, “More adventurous corporations that love the blue seas and CSR activities will certainly like the outing program at Koh Lone. There, you can experience the fishermen’s lifestyle, eat freshly caught seafood and help the community construct much needed dams. You can enjoy your trip, learn how to make batik fabric and accomplish some useful tasks. Koh Lone is only about five kilometers from Phuket. There is no electricity there, so most people on the island use solar cell energy. At night looking back from Koh Lone at mainland Phuket, you see lights brightly shining at night very energetically. Do you believe that you could find happiness amidst the quiet and peace at Koh Lone? I assure you that once you are there you won’t want to go back to Bangkok. And return trips are a must.”
Mr. Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, Managing Director, NCC Management & Development Co., Ltd. | Baan Phu Thai Khok Kong, Kalasin, said, “I believe that if you want to experience nature, including waterfalls, rice fields and surrounding mountains, and learn about the charming lifestyle of Baan Phu Thai Khok Kong, you will be impressed here. The community also features traditional textiles unique to the Phu Thai. We support buying a lot of these local fabrics as gifts for New Year.
Mr. Navamin Prasopnet, Managing Director, Mono Broadcast Co., Ltd. | Lee Led Community, Surat Thani, said, “In fact, Mono has been on outings and taken part in the mangrove-planting CSR activities here on many occasions. But I have to admit, I am still in awe whenever I see the mangroves of Lee Led, Surat Thani. It is worthy of its nickname as the Amazon of Thailand. As for the community lifestyle, it is converted into many fun team building competitions, such as the boating rally to find trees in the mangroves and the competition to increase the value of community shrimp pastes, the clam-digging competition, and the conservation slogan competition for the community. And what really impressed me was the firefly-watching boat trip at night. They gather around the Lamphu trees. It was a very beautiful and fun outing.”
General Wuttinan Leelayuth, Chief Advisor, Village to the World Project | Baan Dong Yen, Suphan Buri, said, “Promoting corporations to organize outings and CSR activities in communities is a great start for community development because not only does the community profit, but also there are long-term benefits as well. The executives of each organization can view the areas and come up with new concepts to develop, expand and help communities in various ways. If the community is determined, strong, quick-minded, courageous and open to new perspectives, the community can develop and exist sustainably.”