By Judy Chapman
While a spa vacation is inherently relaxing, a few SPA tours are taking it a step further, creating unique experiences to foster inner growth.
Want to learn how to give a Balinese massage while on vacation? What about serving up meals to the local kids in between your yoga class and Ayurvedic massage? Giving back while on vacation, known as voluntourism, is rocking the travel world. From visiting orphanages to taking art classes, the new mindset is to return home with improved skills, deeper knowledge, and an inspired mind.
“Most important are places where sustainable and tourism are inseparable,” reports Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet, who recently launched Code Green, a book that tracks 100 of the world’s most responsible travel experiences. “In many cases – from African wildlife to whales – it’s tourism that is the ultimate guarantor of a species survival. Surprisingly, sustainable can also mean comfortable or stylish, it can even include a touch of luxury,” says Wheeler.
Just in time too. Statistics reveal that by 2050, over 1.5 billion of us will be globetrotting each year, so responsible tourism is our only future. The United Nations and the World Bank for example have identified the multibillion-dollar tourism industry as a potential leader in poverty alleviation across the developing world. A recent survey conducted by The Travel Industry Association (TIA), found that one-quarter of the people they interviewed would be interested in volunteer or service-based vacations and over 50 percent were interested in enrichment travel, where they would learn something while on holiday.
Not to be left out, spas around the world are now offering guest-related programs. And why not? The beautiful environment and wellness facilities provide a great backdrop for learning something new and giving back to the community.
HELP ALLEVIATE POVERTY
Owners Claude and Petra Graves lived in a small hut on the secluded Indonesian island of Sumba for two years before creating their gorgeous eco-bungalow resort, Nihiwatu. Their mission is to give more than they take. Ever since they opened in 2001, guests have donated more than $1,600,000 (U.S.) to local projects, including providing clean water for 6,230 people living in 75 villages, building and staffing 5 health clinics for the benefit of more than 10,000 people, and distributing 6,000 treated mosquito nets that have helped reduce malaria by 85 percent and saved many lives. Guest-related achievements also include the painting of classroom murals at six primary schools. By night, guests sleep in well-appointed, luxurious air-conditioned bungalows, and by day, the Jungle Spa offers wellness and beauty treatments as well as a yoga, Pilates, and a meditation studio. Nihiwatu also offers a two-day massage school so couples can learn to give each other their own heavenly treatments. www.nihiwatu.com, (62) 361 – 757 149; www.sumbafoundation.org
BECOME A PERMACULTURIST
Of all the newly opened yoga retreats around the world, it is Shreyas, India’s most luxurious retreat center, where guests can get involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Stay in well-appointed cottages or camp out in elegant tents (all with broadband connection) while you embark on programs to give back to the local community. Learn about permaculture and the future of sustainable agriculture while you help out in the organic garden. Even more inspiring, guests are encouraged to cook and serve food to the local kids. Every effort has been made to preserve natural resources with solar heating, rainwater harvesting, organic food, and medicinal herb plantations. On-going year-round yoga retreats involve daily hatha and ashtanga yoga, meditation, and chanting. Spa-wise, there’s a host of Ayurvedic and herbal remedies to keep you rejuvenated throughout your stay. www.shreyasretreat.com
BE AN OCEAN WARRIOR
Collaborations are such a powerful way to create change and the Banyan Tree’s three sumptuous properties in the Maldives share resources to help protect the environment. Guests can cruise the waters with specialized divers and be part of programs that monitor sustainable development. Learn about the reefs and its species and observe the findings at their onsite lab where research into coral spawning, Green Sea Turtle and Reef Shark conservation is carried out. Their CSR Initiatives include a community support program that offers oppor-tunities for children considered at risk of societal exclusion. Also, when guests contribute to the Green Imperative Fund (GIF), Banyan Tree will match their contributions, dollar for dollar, with donations used to support environmental protection and community help groups. For a bit of self-indulgence, book the heavenly ‘Royal Banyan’ treatments inspired by the traditions practiced in ancient royal palaces. www.banyantree.com
LEARN BALINESE MASSAGE
When I booked my stay at the newly opened Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, I never expected I would be making my own spa treatment. Located on the northeastern side of Bali, it’s the on-site Spa Village Academy that caters to guests who seek a deeper understanding of Balinese culture while on vacation. What better way to learn than through the wisdom shared by a local 75-year-old healer? As Resort Manager, Chik Lai Ping, pointed out: “Kak Tis uses his hands to feel the temperature of your body and knows exactly what to do.” Guests who stay for seven days can partake in five days of instruction and earn a Spa Village Academy certificate in Balinese massage for both personal and professional use. Classes on Lulur and Jamu Therapy, Balinese healing, and beauty remedies are also offered. Accommodations include luxurious suites or villas overlooking the calming waters. In addition, the cuisine is mostly organic and there’s a wonderful choice of indigenous Balinese treatments to keep you rejuvenated during your stay. +62 (362) 32033, www.spavillage.com
HELP CHILDREN IN CAMBODIA
Teaching English to kids at orphanages and supporting the local people are just some of the special experiences that happen when you check into Shinta Mani, a boutique hotel in Cambodia where the facilities are topnotch and the rooms are uber stylish. What’s special is that guests are encouraged to participate. For instance, $1,200 (U.S.) will help build a brick house to shelter an entire family, a donation of $46 will buy a needed bike for a kid to get to school, and $15 will provide uniforms and school supplies for kids. However, it’s their ‘Institute of Hospitality’ that will most appeal to the responsible traveler. Since 2004, profits from the hotel have supported and trained young locals in culinary and other skills of the hotel industry. “Young people in particular are interested in community-based activities,” says Chitra Vincent, general manager of Shinta Mani. “They come over not only to see the temples but also to take part in our programs. They love to visit our school and interact with the students and meet the local families – it touches them.” Spa-wise, Shinta Mani offers a range of Thai-inspired treatments along with aromatherapy scrubs, wraps, and bathing rituals. (855) 63 761 998, www.shintamani.com
LEARN ABOUT ORGANIC FOOD
Who would have thought that guests paying to stay at a luxurious resort would want to pick their own organic veggies for dinner? Inside the sumptuous villas at Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket (their first destination spa in Thailand), guests have access to their very own herb garden and citrus tree to make their own herbal teas, lemon water, and bath blends. Each villa also comes with a personal gardener who will guide you around the organic gardens. Even better, the property boasts an interactive kitchen where one can learn first hand about healthful cuisine from the restaurant chefs as they work. Beyond the kitchen, the philosophy and practices of Thai healing will also be shared at the on-site Thai massage school. Six Senses “think locally, act globally” mindset is demonstrated by their sustainable practices, including water saving, waste recycling, and the use of their own bio-diesel. + 66 76 528071, www.sixsenses.com
RAISE AN ECO-KID
Since our children will become the eco-custodians of our earth, why not educate them on how to live in harmony with nature? Winner of the responsible tourism awards in 2005, Whitepod – an eco destination of funky dome-shaped tents pitched in the Alpine mountains that’s only accessible by foot or skis – recently launched their Eco-Kids Camp where groups of twenty children between the ages of 7 and 14 embark on nature-inspired activities. Every day offers something different, starting with morning language classes and followed up with mountain survival courses, cooking classes, fauna and flora observation, and organic picnics. Spa offerings for adults and corporate groups include yoga, detox programs, sauna, and treatments. +41 24 471 38 38, www.whitepod.com
BECOME A CONSERVATIONIST
Mix African head massages with wild safari tours when you stay at one of the Singita Game Reserves dotted across south and east Africa. The philosophy of this company is ‘we exist because of each other,’ and the vast range of sustainable projects that deliver tangible benefits to the communities delivers on this premise. Big on conservation, at their Tanzanian reserve, for instance, Singita has introduced a captivity-bred Rhino relocation program to restore Africa’s wilderness. In addition, the company provides balanced meals to more than 30,000 children per day in Zimbabwe. From building schools to training locals in conservation, there are many ways guests can partake in community development. In addition, there are guided nature walks to learn about the bush, animals, and insects of the wild plus a Mini Ranger program to educate children about nature. Accommodation choices range from elegant suites to luxurious tents. For a dose of relaxation, head to the Village Spa at Singita Kruger National Park, where treatments are made from native African ingredients. +27 21 683 3424, www.singita.com
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Assist doctors and health practitioners in the free Ayurvedic clinic when you stay at Ulpotha, one of Sri Lanka’s best eco-chic yoga destinations. Twice a week guests can help dispense traditional medicines for villagers while learning about Ayurveda first hand. In addition, you can volunteer at the local school that Ulpotha sponsors, teaching English to handicapped children. The founders of Ulpotha also welcome trained health practitioners to be of service, and there are various workshops happening where guests can aid with speech and language therapy with the local people. Alternatively, guests can head to the spa for a massage or indulge in a weeklong Ayurvedic program guided by Dr. Srilal. Accommodations are rustic abodes made from natural materials with candle lamps replacing electricity, plus most of the food is locally grown. www.ulpotha.com
March/April 2008
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