Savannakhet Eco Guides

who we are

The Savannakhet Eco Guide Unit is an independent organization for trained ecotourism guides. Our goal is to manage and promote trekking trails in the protected areas of Savannakhet.

Savannakhet Province contains two National Protected Areas (NPAs) - Dong Phu Vieng and Phu Xang Hae, as well as a Provincial Protected Area (PPA) called Dong Natat. Realizing the potential for eco-tourism in these protected areas, we set up a program that emphasizes community participation and the sharing of financial benefits with as many people as possible. To help achieve these goals, the Savannakhet Provincial Tourism Office set up the Savannakhet Eco Guide Unit to play a key role in expanding ecotourism, while also guarding against negative social, cultural and environmental impacts.

what we do

With assistance from the Dutch nongovernmental organization, SNV, the ecotourism program in Savannakhet has brought a number of important benefits to the province, including:

• A conservation development trust fund that provides funds for wildlife monitoring and various management activities.
  
• A bonus paid into a village's treasury when villagers sight rare wildlife - an added incentive for conservation.
  
• A conservation awareness program for village, district and provincial stakeholders.
  
• Ecotourism activities designed to involve maximum numbers of villagers so that the benefits of ecotourism are distributed widely.