Khiri Travel Wins Sustainable Award, Reflects Where Responsible Tourism Is Going 2025-26
Bangkok, September 29, 2025 – DMC Khiri Travel won the “Outstanding Achievement Award for Most Sustainable Travel Company” at the TTG Travel Awards, 25 September in Bangkok.
In its submission, Khiri Travel emphasised key elements of its responsible tourism work over the last 32 years, such as its commitment to regenerative travel, GSTC-endorsed staff training and certification, its annual sustainability reports, the strategic role of of its charitable arm, Khiri Reach, and the need for conservation, community, culture and commerce – the 4Cs – to work together in tourism operations.
In this Q&A, the Sustainability Manager of Khiri Travel’s parent company, YAANA Ventures, Natalie van Ogtrop, takes stock of operational challenges, the pros and cons of certification, and what’s next on Khiri’s responsible tourism agenda.
How important is certification if you want to be a responsible tourism operator?
Certification is important, but shouldn’t be mistaken for strategy. Continuous certification may not be practical for all organisations, especially smaller ones. It can be costly, repetitive, and sometimes discouraging. This is why we view it more as a framework than the end goal. What matters more is putting in place practical actions that drive long-term positive impact. If going for certification, the key is finding one that aligns with your purpose, which helps you advance meaningfully and avoids greenwashing. Some certifications focus on conservation, others on waste or plastics. At Khiri, we chose Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification because it covers all four pillars of the 4Cs and is globally recognised.
Khiri Travel is now big on regenerative travel. What does that mean in practice?
It means ensuring that tourism gives back more than it takes. The goal is to work closely with partners and suppliers to benefit communities. Regenerative travel done right means job creation in the local community, maintaining a clean and responsible supply chain, pioneering new ways to make tourism more positive, and sharing knowledge and awareness across the industry. It also means that we are intentional with who we work with. If our values don’t align, we don’t work together.
Khiri has mentioned the importance of the 4Cs: conservation, community, culture and commerce. Is this framing useful?
Yes. The 4Cs framework was adopted from The Long Run, of which Khiri Travel is a proactive member. The framework is especially relevant to tourism because it includes Culture, which is often overlooked in other models such as the 3Ps (People, Planet, Profit). For Khiri, the 4Cs better reflect the realities of travel. It helps us operate with more sensitivity. It’s more holistic.
How important was the creation of Khiri’s charitable arm, Khiri Reach, to the operation of Khiri Travel as a DMC?
Khiri Reach has been an essential addition to Khiri Travel’s operations since 2007. We have supported dozens of local communities and grassroot organisations by creating awareness and providing seed funding for projects. The aim is community resilience so that Khiri can then step back. Khiri Reach has also proven to be a powerful way to engage our staff in sustainability. Around Asia, our staff volunteer as Khiri Reach Ambassadors. They choose projects that are close to their hearts - projects where they can make a difference. We strive to ensure that our efforts are guided by passion, purpose, and meaningful community engagement.
What are the responsible tourism priorities for Khiri Travel for 2025-26?
Khiri Travel’s priority for 2025-26 is to achieve GSTC certification across all our countries and to ensure that our Khiri Reach projects create ‘regenerative’ impacts. We will prioritise sustainability efforts that are consistent, give back to communities and ensure that tourism is a force for good.
Further information about Khiri Travel’s responsible and regenerative travel agenda and travel experiences it creates for tour operators are available at Khiri.com
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ABOUT KHIRI TRAVEL
Since 1993, Khiri Travel has won awards and earned a reputation as a destination management company dedicated to working with select tour operators to provide quality leisure travel experiences across Asia. With 17 offices in Thailand, The Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka (which has responsibility for the Maldives), Khiri Travel’s entrepreneurial associates craft innovative itineraries that reflect their passion for authentic, local and sustainable experiences. Visit Khiri.com
CONTACT KHIRI TRAVEL
Head Office | 17/1 Soi Tiwanon 24 |Tiwanon Road, Bangkasor | Muang, Nonthaburi 11000 Thailand. Tel: (+66) 2968 6828 | Email: marketing@khiri.com | http://khiri.com/
MEDIA CONTACT FOR KHIRI TRAVEL
Ken Scott | ScottAsia Communications | Mobile: (+44) 7949 077959 | Email: kens@scottasia.net
Anchalee Sriwongsa | ScottAsia Communications | Mobile: (+66) 91 806 0484 | Email: ann@scottasia.net