Green.travel's Featured Green Hero
Green.travel salutes people making a real difference in the world of socially conscious travel, and we're pleased to introduce you to our first Featured Green Hero (actually a team of two)...
Duyen and Paul Tarrant
The Tarrants are a wife and husband team who embody responsible travel from their home in Central Vietnam. They're the founders, owners, and managers of Karma Waters and Cham Islands Homestays, with locations in or near the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hoi An and My Son.
Duyen and Paul recently took time from their busy schedules to answer some questions for Green.travel.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1. When and why did you open Karma Waters?
Karma Waters opened in June 2005. We started with the restaurant because we are a vegan family (we have two young daughters), and we believe that a vegan lifestyle contributes in a very real way to sustainable living. Through the restaurant, we've been able to explain and promote this philosophy to our guests and to our neighbors.
2. Was there a particular situation that prompted you to open Karma Waters?
Yes! Because Duyen (who is from Danang, Vietnam) has a twin sister, it is important for them to stay close. Like all parents, we're trying to create the best environment for our two girls, which for us means to live in the least-polluted environment possible and to be as sustainable as possible. Hoi An was once a great trading port and we think it's a beautiful place to live and raise a family. We're all very happy to call Vietnam our home!
3. Please tell us more about your travel business.
First, we created Karma Waters restaurant because we needed a place to eat good, healthy vegan food! Then, because we had been building boats in Vietnam since 2004, we decided to open a community-based tourism business based on boat operations. Living in Hoi An is all about the river system and the ocean. Because of our lifestyle, we naturally focused on “green” tourism, and from this came our work in community development for Cham Islands Homestays - our business evolved as we did!
4. How does your work contribute to sustainability?
The United Nations now recognizes (and some countries, too) that the most important personal step one can take to reduce pollution and the negative effects of global warming is to choose an organic, vegan diet! For pollution, one pound of meat is equal to driving 40 miles in an SUV!
The cornerstone of our business and work is to create a more sustainable lifestyle for our vegan family and to offer healthful, sustainable choices for the local community and for our visitors.
We're directly involved in responsible tourism through the creation of sustainable communities and Cooperative Structures through which villagers participate in tourism development plans that benefit them while protecting their local environment.
5. What are your plans for the future?
As a business, we want to grow slowly and carefully - at a good, healthy sustainable pace. We can only eat 3 meals every day - so our “needs” are fed by our restaurant. We want to create an excellent model, which we can share with other communities in Vietnam. Hopefully, we can set an example for sustainability. As “humane beings” we want to be more in the present moment, to “be.”
6. Do you have any advice for people who want to get involved in sustainable travel projects?
“Walk the talk, don’t just talk!” - make sure your lifestyle is real and try not to preach too much! Participate in life and with others by trying to love unconditionally. Travel opens up experiences that can make positive changes for everyone - be responsible for everything you do (including thoughts & words).
7. How can individuals around the world help support your project?
The most important personal choice anyone can make to reduce pollution and the negative effects of global warming is to choose an organic, vegan diet!
Aside from that, of course, we encourage people to visit this lovely corner of Vietnam, where they will be warmly and graciously welcomed into the homes of our local families. If anyone is looking for a truly authentic Vietnamese experience - this is it!
→ Read more about Duyen and Paul's Homestay Program.