Andaman Discoveries is continuing the work of North Andaman Tsunami Relief, an independent, non profit, non religious organization founded by Bodhi Garrett, who lost his home, job, and many friends in the 2004 tsunami.

Through a dedicated network of supporters, volunteers, and donations, NATR successfully implemented over 120 projects in 12 villages by listening to and working with the villagers themselves. All projects have focused on long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability and creating realistic economic opportunities through training and marketing

The tsunami brought a great number of changes: entire villages were re-located, livelihoods were impacted, and loved ones lost. Inspiringly, many communities created new opportunities from the loss, especially in the area of community-based tourism. Andaman Discoveries is continuing to make this a reality by reaching out to conscientious travelers, making it possible to have a meaningful village experience through exceptional service and comprehensive support materials.

Andaman Discoveries is in a unique position to support community-based tourism because they have a:

• Strong relationship with community members
• Local field staff with extensive local knowledge
• Deep understanding of the importance of listening to the needs of each community
• History of delivering on our promises
• Shared vision for the future

Community-based tourism requires more than a brief workshop, or simply deciding which houses will serve as homestays and who will be guides. It's about empowerment — creating a sense of place, identifying what villagers see as important, and using this information to develop tourist activities.

After empowerment, comes education — understanding of responsibilities, creating a common goal, and skill development in all areas, not only those related to tourism. For example, the village coordinator of Ban Tale Nok is running informal education out of the community center to improve adult literary skills. Andaman Discoveries is also managing a long-term scholarship program to provide financial support for underprivileged children to complete high school.

Andaman Discoveries bridges the gap between the outside world and the villagers in terms of communication and locating funding to make community-led projects possible. They provide the service and support for a meaningful exchange between the villagers and the tourist.

They ensure that the majority of the profit from each village tour goes directly back to the villagers: 20 percent of guests' in-village costs are donated to the village community fund. This creates concrete economic opportunities for the villagers who may otherwise have to find employment outside the village. This approach allows community-led development and tourism to go hand in hand. Andaman Discoveries does not charge the villagers for any of its services, training, or support materials.

Andaman Discoveries facilitates community empowerment by providing vocational skills and ensuring that communities benefit directly from tourism. Andaman Discoveries acts as the bridge between communities wanting to participate in tourism and travelers wanting to experience Southern Thailand's traditional culture and pristine eco-systems. 

Contact Info:

Andaman Discoveries

120/2 Sukapiban 3 Road

Moo 1, Kura

Kuraburi District

Phang Nga Province, Thailand 82150

E-Mail: info@andamandiscoveries.com

Website: www.andamandiscoveries.com

Telephone: +66 (0) 87 917 7165 (English, Thai)

Skype: andaman.discoveries