Across Asia, diversified sustainable travel group, YAANA Ventures, will hold a simultaneous walkathon in 10 destinations to boost local charities.

 Walkathons will take place 1st February in Nonthaburi and Khao Sok, Thailand; Kandy, Sri Lanka; Sanur, Bali; Vientiane, Laos; Yangon, Myanmar; Cebu, The Philippines; Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam; Koh Kong and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

 Local walks will be organised by Khiri Travel offices in all eight of its operating countries. Additional walks will be organised by two VHG Hospitality Asia projects: Anurak Community Lodge in southern Thailand, and Cardamom Tented Camp in Koh Kong province, southwest Cambodia.

 Fund raisers on each walk will be management, staff and suppliers of six YAANA Ventures companies: Khiri Travel, VHG Hospitality Asia, Cardamom Tented Camp, Anurak Lodge, HMP, Khiri Campus, and partners Naruna Beyond Retreats.

 Funds raised will be delivered by the Khiri Reach charitable foundation to:

Thanks Giving Home in Nonthaburi, Thailand, which supports the elderly

• The Forest Healing Foundation in Digana, Kandy in Sri Lanka, which protects and restores forests

• The Bali Children Foundation which supports children’s education

• Phoning Hospital in Vientiane, Laos, which supports people with disabilities

• The Ywar Thar Gyi Mental Hospital at Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon, Myanmar, which supports people with disabilities

• CRST Project B - Bicycles for Education in Cambodia, which donates bicycles to poor children upcountry to get to school

• Zapatera Elementary School which supports deaf and hard-of-hearing elementary school students in Cebu, Philippines

• Saigonchildren in Ho Chi Minh City, which supports children’s education.

 The five-kilometre charity event is the 2nd annual walkathon organised by YAANA Ventures and Khiri Reach. There were also fund raising ‘bikeathons’ in Vietnam in 2017 and 2019.

 Natalie van Ogtrop, Sustainability Manager of YAANA Ventures, says the aim in 2026 is to deliver on a commitment to tourism as a force for good in local communities.

 “At YAANA, we use The Long Run’s 4Cs of community, conservation, culture and responsible commerce. This framework inspires us to create projects such as the walkathon, with the aim of giving back to local communities and helping people who need support, such as disadvantaged children,” she said.  

 Ms van Ogtrop added: “We are pleased that many suppliers who work with YAANA brands will be joining us on the day.”

 YAANA Ventures expects more than 200 participants in the walkathon regionally.

 Fund raising walking routes are diverse, ranging from big city nature parks and beachside locations to remote upcountry national parks. 

 There is still time for travel industry members to join the walk and/or donate.

 Donations can be made to any of the charities via the Khiri Reach Foundation. To find out more email sustainability@yaana-ventures.com.