Ecotourism in Laos
ORLA Tours, a major player in the development of responsible tourism
What is ecotourism? Simply put, it's responsible tourism that respects the environment, local communities and their culture. But it's also at the heart of our tours. ORLA Tours has always chosen to respect these values. Our aim? To offer you humane travel that promotes the country's development and preserves Laotian traditions. How do we achieve this? That's what we're going to explain to you in this article. Enjoy your reading!
What is the concept of ‘ecotourism’?
Let's start by briefly defining what ecotourism is. Since the 1970s, a new approach to travel has been emerging. The fruit of a collective awareness, it is a response to the negative impacts of the development of our consumer society. The concept of ecotourism is therefore a reaction to current environmental and socio-economic issues.
It comprises 4 major areas: Environmental / Economic / Socio-cultural / Ethical.
Its aim is to limit the carbon footprint of tourism, protect flora and fauna, and preserve indigenous culture. It advocates respect for human rights, fair remuneration for all and the development of local economies. The aim of this concept is to achieve a sustainable situation within each of these dimensions. ORLA Tours has defined its guidelines in line with these key principles to offer you eco-responsible travel. Find out more about our values and actions.
OUR LAOS TRAVEL AGENCY'S commitment to the environment
In Laos, ecological awareness is virtually non-existent. Selective sorting and recycling are not de rigueur, and a large proportion of waste is burnt. In our own way, we want to contribute to respecting and preserving the environment. That's why, during our tours, we give each participant a reusable metal water bottle. In this way, we hope to reduce our consumption of plastic waste.
Our commitment to the environment
In Laos, ecological awareness is virtually non-existent. Selective sorting and recycling are not de rigueur, and a large proportion of waste is burnt. In our own way, we want to contribute to respecting and preserving the environment. That's why, during our tours, we give each participant a reusable metal water bottle. In this way, we hope to reduce our consumption of plastic waste.
We pay all our partners what they are worth
If you compare the prices of our trips with those of our competitors, you'll realise that they are often higher. And there's an excellent reason for that! It's because we make it a point of honour to develop fair trade on very favourable terms for all our local partners. We maintain long-term relationships based on trust. We believe that lowering the cost of a trip at any price leads to exploitation of the local people and loss of control over the quality of our tours. Your guide, your driver, the restaurant owners, the hoteliers, the locals... all of whom work hard to ensure that you have the holiday of your dreams, deserve to be properly remunerated.
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Ethics at the heart of our tours in LAOS
In all our programmes, you'll discover tours that give you the chance to meet Laotian ethnic groups and learn about their culture. A night with a local is one of the must-do activities in Laos for an authentic immersion experience. We have been working in partnership with various villages and tribes for several years. Agreements exist between us and different ethnic groups so as not to industrialise their culture as some countries do. We are therefore able to guarantee the authenticity of the daily life and customs that you will discover.
These partnerships encourage the long-term economic development of these villages while respecting their ancestral values. They will show you their local crafts: basketry, pottery, weaving, etc. And, of course, you'll have the chance to take some home with you as a souvenir.
Our LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN LAOS sponsors the Enfants du Laos association
Despite the economic benefits brought to isolated villages, many remain in a precarious situation. We wanted to do more to help these people. Our travel agency is therefore committed to donating €10 per traveller to the ‘Enfants du Laos’ association, which we created from scratch and have sponsored since its inception. This will enable us to contribute to its activities and operations, which support access to education in isolated villages in rural areas. It seeks to give children the opportunity to choose a destiny other than working in the fields and rice paddies on their own. This commitment is particularly important to us. We also organise donation campaigns and collections. School supplies, clothes, hygiene products, books and toys are offered to the people who need them most. We also undertake not to encourage begging by children in the villages, thanks to a strict donation protocol.
You too can support the Enfants du Laos association by making a donation
Travelling with ORLA Tours is the guarantee of a human, respectful and responsible experience. Whether in Laos, Thailand or Cambodia, we defend these values of exchange, sharing and respect with the local ethnic groups. If this approach to tourism appeals to you, don't hesitate to contact us. Charly, Phasouk and Vasanath will be delighted to organise your next adventure in Asia!