Sustainable Tourism Support Services
Practical sustainability support for hotels, tour operators, attractions and tourism businesses across Thailand and beyond.
Practical Sustainability Support for Real Tourism Operations
At Discovery Khaolak, sustainability is not simply a marketing concept or certification exercise. It is something we actively implement within our own tourism operations every day.
With more than 20 years of experience working in tourism in Thailand — including tour operations, marine tourism, sustainability initiatives, destination management collaboration, and community tourism — we now offer practical sustainability support services for tourism businesses looking to strengthen their operations and prepare for the future.
Our services are designed specifically for:
- Hotels and resorts
- Tour operators
- Attractions and activity providers
- Marine tourism businesses
- Community tourism projects (CBTs)
- Tourism SMEs
- Tourism associations and destination management organizations (DMOs)
Rather than focusing only on reports and theory, our approach is practical, operational, and implementation-focused.
For tourism businesses sustainability is becoming increasingly important.
International travel buyers, overseas agents, certification programs, government tourism strategies, and travellers themselves are placing greater emphasis on responsible tourism practices, environmental management, community engagement, and operational transparency.
Many tourism businesses also face practical challenges:
- Limited staffing and time
- Seasonal business pressures
- Increasing operational costs
- Sustainability documentation requirements
- Difficulty understanding certification standards
- Balancing sustainability goals with day-to-day operations
Our goal is to help tourism businesses implement realistic and achievable sustainability improvements that work within genuine operational conditions.
We focus on practical improvements that can:
- Improve sustainability performance
- Reduce environmental impacts
- Strengthen operational systems
- Improve guest experiences
- Support local communities
- Increase long-term business resilience
- Help businesses prepare for sustainability certification and buyer requirements
Sustainable tourism Consultation Services
Our Experience
Our background combines:
- More than 20 years of tourism industry experience in Thailand
- Sustainable tour operations
- Marine tourism and snorkelling operations
- Community tourism partnerships
- Destination sustainability initiatives
- Tourism association involvement
- Environmental and conservation support projects
- GSTC Destination Scope Auditor Certification
- Sustainability certification implementation experience
Discovery Travel is also proud to be:
- The first tour company in Khao Lak to achieve Travelife Certified status
- Winner of the Responsible Thailand Award 2025 – Responsible Destination Management Company (DMC)
- Founder of the Sustainable Khao Lak Network
We actively apply sustainability principles within our own tourism operations and understand the realities and challenges faced by tourism SMEs.
Our Sustainability Support Services
Sustainability Gap Analysis & Operational Reviews
A practical on-site sustainability assessment designed for tourism businesses seeking to better understand their current sustainability performance and identify realistic areas for improvement.
This may include:
- Environmental practices
- Waste and plastic reduction
- Energy and water management
- Staff welfare and operational practices
- Community engagement
- Wildlife and animal welfare considerations
- Sustainability documentation and procedures
- Supplier and sourcing practices
- Guest communication and education
- Operational sustainability review
- GSTC-aligned readiness evaluation
The aim is to identify:
- existing strengths,
- operational gaps,
- and achievable next steps.
GSTC & Sustainability Certification Readiness Support
Support for tourism businesses preparing for:
- GSTC-aligned standards
- Sustainability certification programs
- Supplier sustainability requirements
- Buyer sustainability assessments
- Sustainability questionnaires and documentation requests
We help businesses better understand:
- what is required,
- where operational gaps exist,
- and how improvements can realistically be implemented.
Our approach is supportive, practical, and adapted to real tourism operations rather than purely theoretical compliance.
Sustainability Implementation Support & Follow-Up
Sustainability improvements are most effective when they are consistently implemented over time.
We offer ongoing support to help tourism businesses:
- implement operational improvements,
- review progress,
- strengthen sustainability systems,
- improve documentation,
- and maintain momentum over time.
Support may include:
- follow-up site visits,
- operational reviews,
- implementation guidance,
- online consultations,
- and practical sustainability advice.
Destination & Community Tourism Sustainability Support
Support for:
- tourism associations,
- destination organizations (DMOs),
- local tourism groups,
- community tourism initiatives (CBTs),
- and responsible tourism development projects.
This may include:
- destination sustainability guidance,
- stakeholder engagement support,
- tourism sustainability planning,
- operational sustainability advice,
- and responsible tourism best practices.
Based in Khao Lak – Working Across Thailand and Beyond
We are based in Khao Lak, Thailand, with extensive operational experience in:
- marine tourism,
- community tourism,
- sustainable tourism operations,
- nature tourism,
- and tourism SME management.
Our sustainability support services are available to tourism businesses, destinations, and tourism organizations across Thailand and internationally.
Both on-site and remote support options may be available depending on project requirements.
Why Work With Discovery Khaolak?
Unlike many traditional consultancy firms, our experience comes directly from operating tourism businesses within real-world conditions.
We understand:
- operational realities,
- staffing pressures,
- seasonal tourism challenges,
- sustainability implementation difficulties,
- guest expectations,
- and the day-to-day realities faced by tourism SMEs.
Our approach focuses on:
- practical implementation,
- realistic operational improvements,
- supportive collaboration,
- and long-term sustainability progress.
We believe sustainability should be:
- achievable,
- practical,
- commercially realistic,
- and beneficial for both businesses and local communities.
Practical Tourism & Sustainability Experience
The sustainability support services provided by Discovery Travel are led by Sam Goodey, a tourism professional with more than 20 years of operational experience in Thailand’s tourism industry.
This experience includes tourism operations, destination management, marine and nature-based tourism, and close collaboration with tourism businesses, local communities, and protected area stakeholders in the Khao Lak and Phang Nga region.
A strong focus has been placed on integrating sustainability into real tourism operations, including participation in destination-level initiatives, responsible tourism programmes, and industry collaboration.
Sam is a GSTC Destination Scope qualified auditor, and has undertaken additional GSTC training in hotel, tour operator, and attractions audit scopes, alongside GSTC Destination Scope mock audit assessment experience.
This is complemented by professional sustainability training through Travelife, supporting practical knowledge of sustainability management systems and implementation within tourism operations.
Rather than being purely theoretical, the approach is grounded in real-world tourism operations, ensuring that sustainability guidance is practical, realistic, and aligned with how tourism businesses operate in destination environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide official sustainability certification?
Formal sustainability certification audits must be conducted independently by accredited certification bodies.
What types of tourism businesses do you work with?
We work with:
- hotels and resorts,
- tour operators,
- marine tourism businesses,
- attractions,
- tourism SMEs,
- community tourism initiatives,
- and tourism organizations.
Do you only work in Southern Thailand?
Can you help businesses prepare for GSTC-related certification?
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss sustainability support services, operational reviews, implementation guidance, or sustainability readiness for your tourism business, please contact us for an informal discussion.
We are happy to explore practical solutions tailored to your business, operational realities, and long-term goals.