Why did you start Local Alike?
Bow: Thailand’s second highest source of income is tourism. But the only people who seem to be profiting are hotels and tourism agencies, not the local tribes and communities who are a large part of the reason tourists come in the first place. Currently, businesses like hotels and tour agencies are estimated to receive about 70 percent of the total income generated [by tourism] each year, whereas a measly 10 percent is going back into these communities. We’d like to see income generated by tourism being used to improve the quality of life in these areas.
What differentiates Local Alike from other tourism agencies?
Pai: The average tourism agency’s biggest concern is the tourists themselves, not the tourist attractions. Local Alike operates in three phases: The first phase sees us working with local communities, teaching them how to manage and plan tours by themselves. Then, we establish connections between locals and tourists through the Local Alike website. Once that’s done, we work to monitor these arrangements and make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
What challenges have you faced?
Bow: In terms of the communities we’re targeting, so far so good. On the customer side, however, we still face challenges in setting expectations and communicating what we actually do. Most of our problems are common among startups so we’re not particularly worried. The biggest problem is money, especially when it comes to preparing and improving the local communities.
How do you see Local Alike growing?
Pai: We’d love to become the leading organization in sustainable tourism.
Bow: Ultimately though, we’d like to show people that you can do good things just by traveling. We are starting to receive corporate clients, most of whom have their own CSR plan. The message we’re trying to send here is that it may seem like you’re just traveling, but if you do it right, then it can also become a chance for you to do good things. We’d like to be a role model of giving back, as a social enterprise.
What changes have you witnessed among communities you operate in?
Pai: Tourism isn’t just a source of income, but also a source of hope: by making their community popular and well-known, these people hope that their children will see the value of their homeland and return to help them improve the village. Bahn Baht, one of our partner communities, used to be known for its excellent craftsmanship in making alms bowls. In the past, there were hundreds of craftsmen living in the village. Now, there is only a handful left. The community’s culture is slowly dying. They can’t keep up with factory-made products anymore, and it really affects them.
Bow: Tourism is also seen as a tool for community bonding. Everyone pitches in to help make their community more welcoming for tourists. It gives them a chance to fight back against the corrupt authorities in the area, something they’d normally be too afraid to do. Smuggling groups also avoid these villages, as there are more people around.
For more information on Local Alike, visit www.localalike.com
