From Africa to Thailand, Avani Hotels have been encouraging ecominded tourists to explore game-changing community projects helping to make sustainable travel mainstream.

BANGKOK - As we become more conscious of how we travel, we tend to choose experiences that not only feel good but also benefit the locals all while minimising negative environmental impacts.

Milking Buffalos and Growing Sticky Rice with Avani+ Luang Prabang, Laos
A countryside gem in the outskirts of Luang Prabang, many tourists passby the Laos Buffalo Dairy an unassuming spot en route to the Kuang Si Waterfall, arguably one of Laos’ most famous attractions.

On this episode, we talk to Jo Smith about Ock Pop Tok, the textile workshop and visitor center she and her Lao partner, Veomanee Douangdala, established there over a decade ago, and why it’s important to preserve traditional crafts from the area. Next up is a discussion with Susie Martin, the Australian expat who co-founded the Laos Buffalo Dairy, which not only produces delicious cheeses and ice creams for restaurants in town, but does so with a sustainable business model that helps local farmers breed and care for their animals. Finally, co-founder Michael Vogler tells us why they embrace a no-riding approach on the treks they offer at MandaLao Elephant Conservation.

Episode 7 visits the Laos Buffalo Dairy in northern Laos and explores the concepts of Economic Agroecology, such as social enterprises.

It was an innocent question about buffalo curd that started four expats on a life-changing journey to rural Luang Prabang.

Australians Susie Martin and Steven McWhirter, and Americans Rachel and Matt O’Shea were living as expats in Singapore, half high-flying executives, half trailing spouses.

Yearning for a quieter life, Rachel and Susie came to Laos on a reconnaissance mission, taking in a cooking class in Luang Prabang with an eye to opening a hotel.

A socially responsibly business bringing exciting foods to Luang Prabang and income to communities

The Laos Buffalo Diary is an exciting socially-responsible business established in 2016 consisting of a commercial dairy and production facility. The first in Laos! They make products such as yogurt, cheese and ice cream for local and overseas customers.

In this occasional series, OZY takes to streets and neighborhoods across the globe to ask a simple question: “How was your day?”

Rachel O’Shea
Luang Prabang, Laos

It’s busy. We have some experts who are going to show students from the local university the inner workings of a buffalo and teach them how to judge how pregnant a buffalo is by reaching into the uterus. And they will talk about artificial insemination and how it’s properly done.