Why are mountains and mountain lakes so important to the Balinese? Simon introduces us to the cultural and religious significance of the geological landscapes of Bali in the first of a two-part series.
Pearl Farm Beach Resort - Aquaculture Tourism on Samal Island
National Parks: Tasmania’s Green History
Duck Reach: Hydroelectric Wonder of Tasmania
Apani Dhani Eco-Lodge: Preserving Local Cultures and Heritage, India
MEM, NUS on the International Antarctic Expedition 2015/ 2016
Village Ways: Improving Rural Livelihoods Through Community-based Tourism
Sustainable Tourism in India: Policies and Practices
Palangka Raya Hosts GINKalimantan Youth Conference 2016
How to Dive Right And Safe - Scuba Fundamental
How To Involve Locals in Scuba Dive Operations for Sustainability
No Dive Centre Is an Island. In this new piece, written especially for Gaia Discovery and adapted from a chapter in his book Scuba Professional, Simon Pridmore reveals that running a successful dive centre or resort, especially in a remote location, involves far more than just taking people diving. Among other things, you have to integrate local residents in your dive operation at ALL levels and focus your conservation efforts on people, not just fish and reefs.
Book Review: Running with the Moon by Jonny Bealby
Adventure motorcycling is all the rage at the moment, but one man rode the length of Africa down the West coast in the late 80s, before GPS, before Google maps and definitely before Ewan and Charlie. Then he rode back up the East coast. His book isn’t just about the adventure though, it's about coping with what life throws at you.
Five Things To Discover in Cameron Highlands
While tourists still flock to Cameron Highlands for its natural landscape and cool clime, many fall for dull and hackneyed tours such as visits to strawberry and vegetable farms. To truly experience this charming eco-tourism destination within the Titiwangsa range of Pahang, West Malaysia, it is best to immerse yourself in the highland’s natural beauty, biodiversity, heritage and culture... and learning something about the forest ecology too. Mallika Naguran, who's been to Cameron Highlands numerous times as a kid and still visits, shares some pointers.
Scuba Professional - A Book for Sport Diver Training & Operations
River Walking in West Papua
Recently, frequent Gaia Discovery contributor Simon Pridmore and his wife Sofie travelled to West Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province. This is the third of three pieces recounting their adventures.
Voluntourism in Timor-Leste: Travel with a Difference
Reality Tours & Travel - Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 Finalist
Reality Tours and Travel is based in Mumbai and is most famous for their Dharavi slum tour. Following the success of their ever expanding product range in the city, they have recently spread their wings to the capital, Kerala, and Rajasthan. Their tagline is “see the real India”; guests get beyond tourism to experience authentic destinations in India, and their unique social business structure supports community development projects along the way.
Borneo Eco Tours Wins Wild Asia Responsible Tourism 2014 Award
Based in Malaysian Borneo, Borneo Eco Tours has been a pioneer in responsible nature tours since 1991. Two of the most popular destinations in which they operate includes the iconic Kinabatagan River, where guests can enjoy their award-winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Borneo's famed primates, and Kudat, which provides opportunities for guests to visit and support cottage industries (supported by their partner NGO, BEST) along the scenic coast.
BEST Society - Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 Finalist
BEST Society, which stands for Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies, supports rural communities in Malaysia’s Sabah establish and improve their own social enterprises, improving their quality of life through business. Moving away from charity, now the NGO focuses on capacity building in social entrepreneurship, and is increasing access to markets for cottage industry artisans.
ChildSafe Network - Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 Winner
The ChildSafe Network, delivered by Friends International, is helping to protect vulnerable children in tourism destinations across Cambodia and other parts of South East Asia. Travellers can sometimes unknowingly put children at risk of exploitation, and the ChildSafe 7 Tips helps tourists make the right choices in responsible travel to advocate child safety. Beyond that, ChildSafe is also working behind the scenes to get children off the streets, through vocational training, supporting their parents through employment, and generating employment through social ventures.