CBT is a unique type of village tourism which is managed and operated by local community groups. The CBT-I team have supported these groups for over 10 years, assisting community members to develop active, authentic, ethical tour programs which are fun for tourists while supporting community development and conservation work.

CBT groups develop tour programs based around special elements of local life that community members feel proud of and choose to share with guests. Guests have an opportunity to experience and learn about the community and environment through fun, hands-on activities including jungle trekking, traditional fishing, natural dying, and learning to cook local dishes. Activities are lead by trained community guides.

CBT SPRING is the “Springboard Project for Responsible International, National and Ground Partnerships”. The idea of the project is to link selected Thai Community based Tourism projects with responsible tour operators in the UK and Thailand. The project will help quality CBT projects to attract manageable numbers of quality tourists: those who book through responsible tour operators.

Tour operators benefit

CBT-I believe that a sustainable balance between supply and demand can be achieved. Their network of CBT projects offers a unique opportunity to spread tourist volume among sites with similar attractions: providing economic, social and environmental benefits for CBT communities; limiting the impacts of tourism and giving tourists and tour operators what they are searching for: enjoyable, authentic, ethical, rural travel experiences.

The community and environment benefit

• The project will work with 10 pilot CBT sites: 7 sites are close to major UK holiday destinations (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket), and 3 sites are located in areas which would make excellent new destinations.
• A minimum of 300 families will benefit economically and socially from the tours. Within 2-3 years, income from tours could represent a 10%+ increase in the average income of participating families, including cash-poor hill tribe communities. 
• 10% of income from CBT goes into Community based Tourism Community Funds which support a range of local community and environmental projects.

The project already has the commitment of various UK operators who are excited to include the new community based tours in their 2007/8 brochures and programmes.