INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (ICRT-SEA)

ABOUT US

ICRT-SEA is a centre to connect members that share a common purpose in developing and advocating the Responsible Tourism initiatives through research, education, training, community engagement & partnership. ICRT is based in the UK and ICRT-SEA is an affiliated centre in Southeast Asia set up by Responsible Borneo (REBORN). The overarching goal of ICRT-SEA is to bring together minds and resources of tourism stakeholders in Southeast Asia to advance the dialogues and implementation of Responsible Tourism as an effective driver and vehicle to make more destinations in the region better places for people to live in and visit.

VISION

To build and be recognised as a leading centre in Southeast Asia that advocates and mobilizes responsible tourism through partnership.

MISSIONS

ICRT-SEA is a centre that provides government agencies, academics, practitioners, community members and young people a platform to interact and advance the knowledge and practice of Responsible Tourism in Southeast Asia through individual and collective efforts. The centre aims to bring diverse expertise and resources together and facilitate domestic and international collaborations to mobilize responsible tourism through research, education, training, community engagement and partnership.

WHY
SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia is often seen as a lucrative business market due to its richness in nature and biodiversity, diverse cultures and people as well as affordable travel expenses. While its history and modern-day politics can be complex at times, it is generally safe for tourists to travel around. Nevertheless, given the effect of globalization and the burgeoning of tourism and hospitality activities, it has inevitably had a significant impact on the environment, economy, social development, and community well-being. In addition to problems which are commonly known in tourism, such as carbon footprint and mismanagement of overcrowding in a destination, the concerns also include intricate or complex issues, such as animal and human exploitation for entertainment as well as tourism projects motivated by power play.

Responsible tourism is germane to the countries in Southeast Asia because it aims to benefit the local community, create employment opportunities, preserve cultures, protect environment and sustain economic growth, which in turn, improves the quality of life and the betterment of the society. This region has long been regarded as economically dynamic due to its rising populations and market opportunities to many developed countries. Despite the importance of various tourism aspects, such as smart tourism, event tourism and ecotourism, the sense of responsibility among stakeholders, including public and private sectors as well as the local communities, is what is largely needed to develop, recover, sustain and regenerate tourism for common good in Southeast Asia.

Source:JRTM (Ky, V. (2022). An outlook on responsible tourism in Southeast Asia. Journal of Responsible Tourism Management, 2(1), 58–78.)

https://doi.org/10.47263/JRTM.02-01-06

Responsible Tourism (RT) Awards in Southeast Asia

ICRT-SEA STORIES

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RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

SHARE YOUR STORY HERE

Thailand
1. Khok Salung Community-Based Tourism Village: Responsible Tourism from the Youth’s Perspectives

Malaysia
1. An Intentional Approach To Responsible Tourism In Miri, Malaysia

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SHORT STORY

Short stories serve as powerful tools for communicating the essence and impact of Responsible Tourism initiatives. They provide a glimpse into real-world scenarios, showcasing the tangible benefits of responsible practices on local communities, the environment, and the overall tourism experience. These narratives contribute to a growing repository of knowledge, offering valuable lessons and insights that can guide future endeavors in the realm of Responsible Tourism.

ICRT-SEA encourages committee members to submit a minimum of 2 to 3 short stories annually. These stories can be drawn from personal experiences, on-the-ground observations, or networks associated with Responsible Tourism initiatives in Southeast Asia. The stories should vividly capture the spirit of responsible practices, emphasizing their positive outcomes and the challenges overcome in their implementation.

Submissions may cover a wide array of themes within Responsible Tourism, such as community engagement, sustainable resource management, cultural preservation, and innovative approaches to minimizing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. The goal is to present a diverse range of narratives that collectively showcase the multifaceted impact of responsible practices on both local communities and the broader tourism industry.

ICRT-SEA recognizes the significance of the stories submitted and aims to provide a platform for acknowledgment and dissemination. Selected stories will be featured on the ICRT-SEA website, publications, and relevant events. This not only honors the contributors but also amplifies the reach of these narratives, inspiring others to adopt responsible practices in their respective contexts.

In embracing the power of storytelling, ICRT-SEA seeks to build a rich tapestry of narratives that exemplify the transformative potential of Responsible Tourism in Southeast Asia. Through these short stories, the centre envisions creating a reservoir of inspiration that catalyzes positive change, fostering a tourism industry that prioritizes the well-being of communities, the preservation of cultures, and the sustainable stewardship of the region's natural treasures. Committee members are encouraged to embrace this opportunity to contribute to a shared vision of Responsible Tourism that leaves a lasting, positive impact on Southeast Asia and beyond.

Asia.

Responsible Tourism Forum Series 1

Responsible Tourism Forum Series 2

Responsible Tourism Forum Series 3

Aaron Tham

Jun 15, 20232 min read

Malaysia

An Intentional Approach To Responsible Tourism In Miri, Malaysia

Responsible Tourism Awards in Southeast Asia 2025

CATEGORY: Increasing Local Sourcing - Creating Shared Value

MAESA HOTEL, Indonesia

Award Received: Silver Award 🥈

Website: https://maesahotel.com

Maesa Hotel is committed to enhancing the potential of village tourism throughout Ponorogo Regency through synergy with 281 Village-Owned Enterprises (Bumdes) and the active participation of Great Youth. By exploring the rich culture, nature, and local wisdom in each sub-district, Maesa Hotel aims to encourage the creation of an inclusive, competitive, and sustainable village tourism ecosystem. This collaboration aims not only to introduce new tourist destinations but also to strengthen the role of local communities as key actors in tourism development. Through promotional support, training, and a hotel network, Maesa Hotel hopes that Ponorogo can grow as a sustainable tourism city that supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of partnerships, village empowerment, and cultural preservation.

Six Senses Krabey Island, Cambodia

Award Received: Silver Award 🥈

Website: https://www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/cambodia/krabey-island/sustainability/

Six Senses Krabey Island is a 10-minute drive from the airport to the mainland jetty, then a 15-minute speedboat crossing. A traditional Cambodian fisherman’s house provides the concept for the main lobby, lounge and gallery, restaurant, and ice cream parlor. A bar commands sweeping views and a signature restaurant focuses on fresh produce and seasonality. Accommodations comprise 40 private pool villas that exemplify the commitment to using sustainable materials while embracing modern technology. The Six Senses Spa incorporates a gymnasium, yoga pavilion, meditation cave and an alchemy bar. Activities include land and water excursions and open-air cinema plus a kid’s club.

Eco Ponies Garden, Brunei Darussalam

Award Received: One to Watch Award 🏅

IG : eco_poniesgarden

Our mission is to empower youth by providing job opportunities, platforms for creative expression, and avenues for personal growth, while promoting sustainable living and preserving Brunei’s rich cultural heritage. Our key activities include farm-to-table dining experiences, shared kitchens, team-building programs, hidden community food (rare jungle sources), nature retreats, and educational eco-tourism trips. We contribute to responsible tourism by expanding the market reach of local community products, such as local tea and et cetera, beyond Brunei, thereby enhancing their visibility and cultural value. We also foster innovation within the community and actively engage youth in heritage promotion. Through local and international media, we promote cultural and environmental preservation.

CATEGORY: Adapting to Climate Change

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay,Vietnam

Award Received: Gold Award 🥇

Website : https://www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/vietnam/ninh-van-bay/, https://sencaraih.com/

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a sustainable luxury resort located on Vietnam’s Heo Peninsula, surrounded by coral reefs and jungle hills. Committed to regenerative tourism, we focus on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and community support. In 2024, we generated up to 28% of our electricity from solar, collected 2,900 kg of coastal waste, and provided clean water to 986 people. Through our Sustainability Fund (0.5% of revenue), we support coral restoration, protect endangered species like the black-shanked douc langur (population grew from 109 to 211 since 2019), and engage over 2,000 guests annually in hands-on sustainability experiences.

Springhill Farm and Springhill Sustainable Market, Brunei Darussalam

Award Received: One to Watch Award 🏅

Website : http://springhill.orcaaisolutions.com

Springhill is Brunei’s first fully off-grid regenerative farm—powered by solar, rainwater, and zero government utilities. We modernize farming with composting, aquaponics, and zero-waste systems, delivering farm-fresh produce weekly through our farm-to-people service. Visitors join immersive tours to transplant seedlings, feed fish, and taste just-harvested greens. Since launch, over a thousand guests have walked our trails and left inspired to live lighter, grow cleaner, and reconnect with nature. By blending technology with tradition, Springhill offers a powerful model of carbon-negative living and responsible tourism—restoring land, building food resilience, and showing how sustainability can be simple, delicious, and deeply local.

CATEGORY: Peace & Understanding

Anthro on Foot Audio Walking Tours, Philippines

Award Received: Gold Award 🥇

Website : http://www.izi.travel/en/9373-anthro-foot-c/en

Anthro on Foot Audio Walking Tours is an independent producer of self-paced audio walking tours in the Philippines. Established in 2018 and now with 61 tours with representation from all 17 regions in the country, Anthro on Foot covers not just popular tourist destinations but also places that have been victims of misrepresentation due to war, civil anarchy, and generational poverty. More than showcasing tours, Anthro on Foot aims to break social barriers to travel and heritage education, for which it has received recognition from the UNESCO Global Awards for World Heritage Education for its ‘exemplary practice in inclusivity’ and the Responsible Tourism Awards for its contribution to ‘peace, understanding, and inclusion.

Conserving and promoting Vietnamese folk games, Vietnam

Award Received: One to Watch Award 🏅

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095285685390

My “Conserving and promoting Vietnamese folk games” project is a youth-led cultural initiative dedicated to preserving Vietnam’s folk games and fostering cultural connections. Through the Facebook page “Hồi Ức Project,” I create podcasts, videos, and interactive posts, organize competitions, and host real-life events for students to experience folk games. I also authored the bilingual picture book “Grandpa’s Childhood,” which introduces global audiences to Vietnamese folk games through engaging storytelling and fun facts. By integrating folk games into education and tourism, the project offers immersive, respectful experiences that inspire pride, bridge generations, and enrich visitors’ understanding of Vietnam’s heritage.

CATEGORY: Nature Positive

St. Dominic College of Asia, OPLAN MALASAKIT, Philippines

Award Received: Special Award 🏅

Website : https://stdominiccollege.edu.ph/

St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA) is a dynamic institution committed to revolutionizing education by integrating quality instruction, research, and sustainable community service. Rooted in its founders’ vision of holistic education for a better quality of life, SDCA offers diverse programs under its basic and higher education institutions. Guided by its core values of Service, Dynamism, Competence, and Accountability, SDCA actively promotes global competencies, innovation, and community engagement. By aligning with the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals, the college contributes to responsible tourism through academic excellence, cultural advocacy, and impactful community partnerships that foster sustainable development and social responsibility.

Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia

Award Received: Gold Award 🥇

Website : https://cardamomtentedcamp.com/

Cardamom Tented Camp is a nature-based travel solution in Cambodia’s Cardamom Rainforest with a commitment to forest protection and responsible travel. The camp not only minimizes its operational impact but supports regenerative tourism through forest restoration and local partnerships. It contributes directly to conservation by working with Wildlife Alliance to support ranger patrols that protect 18,000 hectares of rainforest from illegal activities. To make all of this possible, guests help fund these efforts simply by staying, aligning with the camp’s message: “Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing.” Through low-impact lodging, guided forest experiences, and wildlife and habitat education, guests are able to explore and support this regenerative initiative.

Village Tourism Tulungrejo, Indonesia

Award Received: One to Watch Award 🏅

Website : http://desatulungrejo.batukota.go.id

Tulungrejo Tourism Village, nestled at the foot of the mountains, is blessed with fertile soil, fresh air, and breathtaking landscapes that harmonize with the daily life of its people. Known for their warm hospitality and strong community spirit, the villagers value environmental protection, cultural preservation, and ancestral wisdom. This awareness has shaped Tulungrejo into a sustainable tourism destination, where activities benefit the economy, strengthen community bonds, and safeguard nature and heritage. Here, tourism is more than sightseeing—it is a shared journey of caring for beauty, fostering harmony between people and nature, and ensuring its wonders endure for generations to come.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Award Received: One to Watch Award 🏅

Website : http://www.bsbcc.org.my

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is a NGO and Non-Profit Organisation dedicated to conserve the smallest bear in the world, the sun bear by incorporating animal welfare, rehabilitation, education, research and eco-tourism. BSBCC contributed to responsible tourism by including the needs of the local community in ecotourism while allowing people to learn, watch and enjoy the nature and wildlife in our place in a sustainable and ethical manner, providing a win-win situation for the wildlife and nature and also the human component.

CATEGORY: Managing Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle

Six Senses Samui, Thailand

Award Received: Silver Award 🥈

Website : https://www.sixsenses.com/samui

Perched on the serene northern tip of Samui, Six Senses Samui is more than just a luxury resort—it’s a living, breathing example of regenerative tourism in action. Here, sustainability is not a side note; it is woven into the very fabric of daily life. From ensuring that no organic waste ends up in landfills, to sourcing ingredients and materials with care and conscience, every detail reflects a deep respect for nature and community. Innovative spaces like Farm on the Hill and Earth Lab turn everyday waste into valuable resources, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire both guests and team members to think differently about their impact. By blending mindful hospitality with environmental purpose, Six Senses Samui sets a shining example of how luxury can exist in harmony with the planet—where comfort, care, and circularity thrive side by side.

Waterbom Bali, Indonesia

Award Received: Silver Award 🥈

Website : http://www.waterbom-bali.com

Waterbom Bali is Asia’s #1 waterpark and a sustainability leader in tourism, guided by its ambitious commitment to reach Net Zero by 2033. Located in the heart of Kuta in Bali, the park integrates nature, culture, and community into every aspect of its operations and guest experience. Through its Karmic Returns Sustainability Program, Waterbom operates responsibly following strict waste management systems, plus water and energy conservation initiatives which promote environmental stewardship. Waterbom demonstrates how fun, business, and sustainability can thrive together—setting a benchmark for regenerative, responsible tourism in Southeast Asia.

Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, Thailand

Award Received: Silver Award 🥈

Website : http://www.sivatelbangkok.com

Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, a five-star sustainable hotel and Hotel of Happiness and Sharing, integrates the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy into its management to drive responsible tourism. Realizing it generated over 100,000 kg of waste annually, the hotel began its zero-waste journey in 2017 with waste reduction, plastic-free policies, food loss prevention, and organic sourcing. Key initiatives include a waste bank (2018) and “From Kitchen to Chicken and Beyond” with onsite BSF farming (2022). In 2023, Sivatel became a zero food waste to landfill hotel, reducing total waste by 59%, and aims to achieve zero waste to landfill by the end of 2025.

CATEGORY: Can an All-Inclusive Be Responsible?

Sen Caraih Cultural and Ecotourism Village, Vietnam

Award Received: Gold Award 🥇

Website : https://sencaraih.com/

Sen Caraih Cultural and Ecotourism Village is a community-run initiative led by Cham farmers in Ninh Thuận Province, Vietnam. What began as a small local effort has grown into a meaningful project where culture, environment, and livelihoods come together. Visitors are welcomed into daily Cham life — from harvesting lotus flowers and cooking traditional dishes to learning crafts and hearing local stories. Everything is created and managed by the community, so the benefits stay local. At its heart, Sen Caraih is about pride, resilience, and showing that tourism, when done right, can help a community thrive on its own terms.

Nay Palad Hideaway, Philippines

Award Received: Gold Award 🥇

Website : http://www.naypaladhideaway.com

Nay Palad Hideaway redefines all-inclusive hospitality through its commitment to inclusive, regenerative tourism, rooted in the belief that “small is beautiful.” Guided by deep respect for nature, the resort strives to minimize its footprint while supporting local communities and celebrating Siargao’s unique charm. Grounded in The Long Run’s 4Cs, it integrates regenerative systems like composting, organic farming, and mangrove protection into operations. Local sourcing, cultural immersion, and staff empowerment are woven into every guest experience. Nay Palad proves that luxury and sustainability can coexist, offering a model for responsible tourism that uplifts both people and the planet in Southeast Asia and beyond.