What is Community Based Tourism “CBT”?

“CBT is tourism that takes environmental, social and cultural sustainability into account. It is managed and owned by the community, for the community, with the purpose of enabling visitors to increase their awareness and learn about the community and local ways of life.”

Community based Tourism programs are developed based around special elements of local lifestyle, culture, people and nature that community members feel proud of and choose to share with guests.

Guests have an opportunity to experience and learn about the community and the environment through fun? Hands-on? Activities lead by local community guides. These include jungle & adventure trekking, traditional fishing, natural dying, learning to cook local dishes, etc…

Tourism services and activities are planned and managed by local people, working together in a CBT Group? Tourism programs are especially designed to support community and environmental projects, to build local skills, and to distribute opportunities fairly.

Guests experience and learn about rural Laos local people, their lives, cultures, and inter-relationships with the natural world. It is hoped that this will increase respect for local cultures and the environment among hosts and guests.