Genuine responsible tourism operators have a duty to the communities they serve. This requires understanding local priorities and sense of place, and then using this information to develop an appropriate program. It doesn't happen overnight. All too often tour operators — even ones with good intentions — raise hopes and artificially inflate local economies without understanding the consequences of their actions. The results can be disastrous, and there are numerous examples of villages that have suffered from loss of traditional livelihoods and money-driven conflict.

That’s why Andaman Discoveries is committed to supporting consistent progress in an imperfect world. Often this means working with opposing viewpoints, even within a community. Communities do not always speak with one voice, and by maintaining balanced relationships, we are able to work with all parties. The mutual respect we have earned with our community partners is a testament to the effectiveness of our long-term projects and inclusive viewpoint.

All Andaman Discoveries activities and itineraries are designed in collaboration with the villagers themselves, based around the principles of community-based tourism. Andaman Discoveries is committed to providing local people with a complimentary source of income while still continuing their traditional way of life.

Our translators allow guests to really engage with the villagers and assist the local guide when highlighting points of interest and explaining the region’s fascinating eco-systems. Andaman Discoveries has specially-designed comprehensive support material including a Visitor’s Guidebook, and Thai Phrasebook to allow people to make the most of their time in village and to facilitate cross-cultural exchanges.

Andaman Discoveries won the 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for Best for Preservation of Cultural Heritage (and was a finalist in 2008), the foremost award in the world for responsible tourism. We were the finalists in Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Awards in 2007 and 2008 in recognition for our efforts in the area of responsible tourism and community development. In 2008 we received the Global Vision Award from Travel + Leisure Magazine, and were among the five organizations to receive the 2008 SEED Initiative, which supports exceptional multi-stakeholder partnerships, which have developed innovative, locally-led solutions to the global challenges of sustainable development.