The Culture Lodge Project was established with the main goal of benefiting a small community of 3 ethnic 
groups through tourism activities. Since 2008 Fair Trek has scheduled many visits to outline cooperation and set up community-based activities.
The immediate result was the wish of the community to create accommodation that serves visitors as a base for their stay in and around the village. The Lodge/House building is owned and built by the community and generates an income, every time visitors stay. An additional village fund was established and families generate an income through their engagement in hospitality service groups, through cooking or acting as village guides. Local food is grown and sold to the visitors for each meal.
The members of the village, which are low land Lao, Khamu and Hmong minorities, are living together in the valley. Their lifestyle follows the seasons and relies much on their wet rice and mountain rice agriculture. The village maintains rich and diverse traditions with remarkable differences between the various ethnic groups, especially in culture, religion, ways of life, languages and styles of handicraft.
This project is a great example stating how small changes, some training and setting up an activity program can change the income structure of a community. Also the enthusiasm and the interest of the villagers to receive visitors has helped immensely in planning, setting up and implementing the “Fair Trek” activities.
The project also is open to receive donations and has received cultural training from SNV. Currently, the village urgently needs hygienic toilets and a new school building as well as a library/reading room.
Would you like to contribute?… see our “Culture Lodge” program
