From 16 to 18 September, Bina Cita Utama (BCU) School and Borneo Nature Foundation will host the first ever Global Issues Network (GIN) youth conference in Kalimantan.
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.
Andaman Discoveries - Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards Finalist
Andaman Discoveries in Thailand was born out of tragedy, and formed shortly after the Boxing Day Tsunami when villagers decided that community-based tourism would allow them to generate additional income and support their traditions, culture, and lifestyle. Since then, Andaman Discoveries has been offering various tours (volunteer trips, family holidays, and educational visits for schools) to empower the local community. Their Moken Experience tour supports nomadic communities preserve their culture through responsible tourism.
Ock Pop Tok Wins Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Award
Australian Int'l Dive Expo (AIDE): Conservation, Photo Fun
The Gods of Timor Leste
The Whale Sharks of Cendrawasih Bay
Scuba Confidential - A Diver's Companion
Author Simon Pridmore has written a new book packed with valuable tips and expert advice giving you unprecedented access to the secrets of dive professionals and technical divers, knowledge that you can use to develop your skills and become a safer, more confident and more capable diver. Scuba Confidential - An Insider's Guide to Becoming a Better Diver is currently available worldwide via Amazon in paperback and e-book versions.