The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Digital Traveler ~ Asia Pacific eNewsletter, December 2005

www.ecotourism.org

North Andaman Tsunami Relief: Call for support

North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR) provides assistance to the tsunami-affected coastal
communities on and near Koh Phratong (Phang Nga, Thailand) in collaboration with others
involved in the relief efforts to work toward long term sustainability of these communities.

NATR is currently engaged in making sure that

disaster relief lays the foundation for long-term
community development. Tourism, as an
inevitable socio-economic force, will play a major
role in the area’s future – for better or for
worse. Thus, NATR is working closely with locals
and other NGOs to provide the training necessary
for the adoption of adventure, community-based,
and eco-tourism (ACE tourism). This is one of the
projects for which NATR is seeking funding.
Please see below the details of this exciting project
and how to contribute.

Community Empowerment for Sustainable

Tourism Development

NATR has committed to implementing a long-term

Community Empowerment, Vocational Training
and ACE Tourism program for the sustainable
development of the North Andaman area. This
program aims at encouraging the cultural, economic
and environmental integrity of the tsunami-affected
communities in the region by working with
villagers to promote sustainable tourism and a sense
of pride in themselves and their natural
surroundings.

NATR is organizing workshops for local villagers in order to give them an opportunity to create a
shared vision of the future, understand the benefits and perils of tourism and to decide whether
tourism is socially and environmentally appropriate for their villages. After such programs,
NATR will choose 25 members of those villages that choose to embrace ACE tourism. These
villagers will receive vocational training (guiding, management, ecology, English, etc.) and
employment assistance that will benefit them immediately after training, and in the long-run.

The program will be centered at the VTEC (Vocational Training and Education Center) – a place
that will develop not only ACE tourism, but also post-tsunami handicraft projects, scholarships,
computer education, waste management and environmental awareness.

Funding Needs:
• Vocational Training (Ace Tourism Experts): US$1,500 per trainee
• Community Empowerment (tsunami and environmental education, etc.): US$2,500 per
village
• Training Center – Community English & Handicrafts Classes (1 year
project): US$21,000

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 The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Digital Traveler ~ Asia Pacific eNewsletter, December 2005
www.ecotourism.org

In order to help NATR and contribute to the reconstruction efforts, you can:

Send a donation:

If based in the U.S., for tax deductible donations please send checks to: North Andaman Tsunami
Relief, 3524 Dutch Way, Carmichael, CA 95608.

If based in the U.K., in order to save on bank/credit card charges, donate to Go Differently, a fund
set up to receive donations and forward them to the Relief Fund in Thailand. Please contact
NATR for details.

If based in Thailand, send donations to the following: Krung Thai Bank, Kuraburi Branch
Acc Name: Mr Garrett Bodhi Himal/North Andaman Tsunami Relief
Acc No: 825-0-00593-7

Keep Traveling:

The word from all our friends in South East Asia is that they want visitors to keep coming. Sri
Lanka and Thailand are vast countries and many areas were completely unaffected by the tsunami.
Because tourism is such a major part of the coastal economy, businesses are suffering greatly.
Talk with your local tour center and book a trip. You can be assured that your welcome will be
warmer than ever. NATR is working with communities in order to offer ACE Tourism in the long
term. Please email us if you would like to visit this area and take part in one of our pilot tourism
projects. Opportunities are available now.

Volunteer:

You can subscribe to our monthly Updates, where information about current volunteer needs is
posted, by emailing relieffund@inet.co.th.

North Andaman Tsunami Relief

188 M.1, Tumbon Kura, Kura Buri District, Phang Nga 82150, Thailand
Tel: +01 787 7344
Email: relieffund@inet.co.th
Website: www.northandamantsunamirelief.com/