Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

Community Based Tourism.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

Xplore Asia employs local guides and provides in-depth training in the region. This not only provides passengers with a professional, knowledgeable guide but also gives an insight into the lives of locals through personal interpretation. All guides receive invaluable experience in the tourism industry through development of skills and knowledge.

Xplore Asia promotes community based tourism as much as possible with the addition of homestay's and using local restaurants.

Just across the border in Cambodia, Xplore Asia has joined forces with Mekong Discovery Trail (http://www.mekongdiscoverytrail.com/html/the_trail.html), part of SNV (a Netherlands based organisation) dedicated to alleviating poverty through sustainable tourism. Xplore Asia has developed their Laos products linking to Cambodia and their tours in Laos will follow the trail when they expand to cover southern Laos.