Note: As of August 2007, REST is now part of Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I)

REST assists local Thai communities to develop and manage their own unique and uplifting Community Based Tourism (CBT) programs as a response to the terrible damage which mass tourism inflicts on Thailand's cultures and environments.

Community Based Tourism Activities

With training and assistance from REST, hosts have developed:

• home-stays and farm-stays
• boat trips
• nature trails and treks
• traditional handicraft demonstrations, and
• living and learning opportunities for travelers to join in with day-to-day village life

Through their involvement in CBT, REST's community partners have:

• developed new skills and confidence
• promoted their traditional knowledge and ways of life
• protected their natural environment, and
• made friends around the world

Income generated from CBT activities has helped to support:

• local families
• development projects
• youth education
• environmental awareness
• grass-roots conservation, and
• cultural activities

Award-winning Programs

In recognition of their work, REST and their partner community of Ko Yao Noi Island were awarded the "World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship 2002" by National Geographic Traveler and Conservation International.

How does REST work together with local communities?

Initially, REST helps communities to understand the positive and negative aspects of the tourist industry. Local people are invited on study tours to visit other 'CBT' sites and are empowered to make an informed decision about whether they wish to get involved in tourism.

Communities are encouraged to ask what social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits tourism could offer them, and how it could contribute to their society.

Interested communities receive ongoing assistance to develop their own activities, based upon the special aspects of their culture, lifestyle, and natural environment that they feel particularly proud of.

REST assists communities to:

• plan and manage CBT activities by giving suggestions about forming committees, distributing income via community funds, developing environmentally friendly products, etc.
• monitor and evaluate their CBT activities, and to promote their achievements to the rest of the world.

REST's ongoing role is to support the development of Community Based Tourism in partner communities, neighboring countries, and around the world.

REST regards CBT as a powerful community development and conservation model, which has the potential to be a 'green bridge' bringing the diverse peoples of the world together, and harnessing the spirit of travel and discovery for the benefit of human beings and their natural environments.

REST has provided training and study trips to:

• Universities, schools, youth organizations
• NGOs, the United Nations, the European Union
• Governments: Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indian, and Chinese

REST believes that CBT should provide support to communities, without becoming an essential or routine part of local life. Tour numbers are limited so that community members can maintain the core activities of their culture and way of life, remaining socially, culturally, and financially independent from tourism.

For community partners, just like guests, tourism is a refreshing change from the normal routines of daily life:

• contributing to community defined goals
• providing an opportunity to develop new skills, and
• providing a fun and interesting break for local people

REST respects that the management and the future of Community Based Tourism lies with the partner Communities, which chose how they wish to present themselves, and interact with the outside world. The Community has the final Word!

REST-CBT handbook