Organic Tourism: Creating a more Sustainable Food System in Thailand
Udom Hongchatikul, a graduate of our Academy Fellowship program, is the founder of Thailand’s Social Lab and the co-founder of Thailand’s Sustainable Food Lab.
Udom is currently involved in promoting Organic Tourism across Thailand. Organic Tourism is a social movement that aims to create more sustainable food systems. Based on an inclusive business model, the movement is led by the private sector, but involves all players in the Thai travel industry. Udom works to create a culture of trust and collaboration amongst and between tourist-related businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, chefs, markets & tourism operators, so that they work together, using tourism as the tool, to drive the food systems in Thailand towards a more sustainable approach.
The movement aims to build a more sustainable food system using Organic Tourism as a tool. Organic Tourism empowers everyone in the organic value chain to become collective leaders for change, addressing economic, environmental and social problems.
– Udom Hongchatikul
Organic Tourism provides a safe space for individuals and businesses from all levels of the tourism chain – from farmers, to hotels and consumers – to work together, and learn from each other in order to create a more sustainable food system where everyone benefits. The movement is about far more than having organic farms open to the public. It is about a group of hotels, restaurants, markets and supermarkets buying produce directly from local farmers, and communicating to their customers (the tourists) the importance of organic food and knowing the source of your supply; organic produce is not only good for their health, but it is also kind to the environment and supports local farmers. Farm visits can be offered as an additional activity, providing tourists with the chance to meet and understand the work of local farmers. It’s about connecting the players in the system, and valuing them both individually and as a functioning group.
Organic Tourism promotes better health and wellbeing for individuals, and the environment.
– Udom Hongchatikul
For more information, check out this short video: