Global Alternative Tourism Network

Global Alternative Tourism Network

The Global Alternative Tourism Network is a network of different YMCAs that promotes Alternative Tourism. It is an initiative of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs that aims to challenge the negative impact of mass tourism by promoting a more responsible and more sustainable kind of tourism. The GATN is anchored in the concepts of Global Citizenship and Fair Trade and capitalizing on the unique community-based policies and extensive world network of the YMCAs, strive for healthy and meaningful tourism experiences aimed to engage local communities and promote a fair, responsible and beneficial model for tourism. The GATN aims to change the paradigm in travel- trusting that, eventually, people will have a  different motivation for travel and that the local community truly benefits from tourism.

Alternative Tourism

Alternative Tourism

Alternative Tourism is a kind of tourism advocated by the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. It is geared towards sustainable and responsible travel and is anchored in the concepts of global citizenship and fair trade. Alternative Tourism seeks to not only promote a different kind of travel but to change the attitude of the people towards travel by introducing a more community-centered tourism. With Alternative Tourism, the people do not only travel for mere pleasure but for a purpose. It hopes that economic benefits will be reaped by the local community and provide a meaningful experience for travellers without compensating the nature, heritage, and the culture of the place.

 

The CHANGE Principles

The CHANGE Principles

The GATN aims to make change through CHANGE. This stands for the six principles that serve as a framework of the GATN programs: Community-centered, Holistic in approach, Advocates for global citizenship and global networking, Nature and heritage conserving, Gender and child-sensitive, and Economically viable.

Consider

 Consider different ways on how to make your travel more sustainable and responsible. Explore the resources available to look for a hosting site that matches your interest or advocacy.

Communicate

Communicate with the GATN Manager on the site and see how you can create a program that matches what you are looking for and what the hosting GATN sites are doing.

Create

 Deliberate with the partner hosting site on the details of the programs and tailor-make the program according to the needs of the community and the capacity of the participants. 

Collaborate

Once that you have agreed on the details of the program, let this be the start of the partnership between the hosting and the sending organization. Let your collaboration contribute to the principles of Alternative Tourism.

Developing GATN Sites

Since 2010, APAY has been developing different sites that offer Alternative Tourism programs. These programs are anchored on the principles of GATN and aspire to inculcate to the travelers how tourism can be a tool for development by involving in the grassroots level.

YMCA of San Pablo: GATN Destination at Par with World Travel
YMCA of San Pablo: GATN Destination at Par with World Travel
WELCOME to San Pablo City!...
Read More
Kedah YMCA and the Changing Trend in Travel
Kedah YMCA and the Changing Trend in Travel
As the world advances, excitement...
Read More
YMCA of Mongolia
YMCA of Mongolia
To learn about community involvement...
Read More

Be A Responsible Traveller

Travelling is fun but it shall not put in jeopardy the lives of the people who warmly welcomed us in their community. Find out more ways on how to make your travel responsible and sustainable.

Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery at the Lao Friends Hospital for Children
Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery at the Lao Friends Hospital for Children
Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery at the Lao Friends Hospital for Children   <Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery at the Lao Friends Hospital for Children>...
Read More
Be part of the 2018 Cohort!
Be part of the 2018 Cohort!
Are you ready to be the next Climate Hero? Be part of the 2018 cohort for the APAY E-learning on Climate Change, and fill yourself...
Read More

Landing Page