When Andy Booth first visited Cambodia, little did he realise that he would
end up quitting his city-slicker London life to set up a non-profit travel
agency that changes lives.
Former banker Andy Booth (second right) swapped the London Underground for a pedal bike
BST 13 Jun 2013
Former banker Andy Booth ditched his seven-figure salary in the City of London
to set up a non-profit travel agency in Cambodia, which supports thousands
of local school children.
While British-born Booth admits it was quite a career change, he hasn’t
regretted founding the company, About Asia, for a moment.
Guiding tourists around the ancient temples of Cambodia gives him a greater
buzz than any trading desk ever did – although he continues to work the same
12-hour days.
“I am sure one could approach this job with a lot less effort, but I am
perfectionist,” explained Booth, 48, an Oxford University graduate and
former champion rower.
“People remember the small details from their holidays and this is what builds
reputation.”
Many aspects of life have changed since he swapped his home in Putney, south
west London for an apartment above the About Asia office in Angkor, north
west Cambodia.
“One of the biggest differences for me is the weather. In London I would go to
work in the dark and come home in the dark,” he said.
“I know that tomorrow I shall wake up to a beautiful blue sky, and that makes
a huge difference to my mood and my day.”
Many things about his travel company set it apart from other operators. For
starters, 100 per cent of the profits are ploughed back into Cambodia’s
under-resourced education system to give thousands of children a better
start in life.
The money has helped improve more than 100 schools across the country - which
was brought to its knees by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s - and the lives of
more than 50,000 students.
There has been very little need to build schools from scratch, but high demand
to supply existing ones with more resources.
“There are a lot of moneyed people who build schools in Cambodia and then just
forget about them,” explained Booth.
“There are lots of newly built schools that are woefully under funded, so we
adopt schools, providing support where we can with books, computers and
teachers.”
About Asia has 17 full-time teachers on its payroll who come from all walks of
life. They include trainee teachers, academics looking for a fresh challenge
and mid-life career-changers.
Although he has no stressed-out ex-bankers on the books, given the new lease
of life the agency has given Booth, it’s probably only a matter of time
before they seek him out.
He has lived and breathed Cambodia since he first visited the country in 2002,
and can easily recommend a good restaurant in Siem Reap or a unique blend of
local coffee.
About Asia tour guides are equally knowledgeable after receiving extensive
training in everything from photography and archaeology to plant life and
cycling.
With this level of research and attention to detail, the company has built up
a fan base of passionate travellers who want something more than a formulaic
itinerary.
Packages can be tailor-made to include, for example, a day’s hot-air
ballooning, kayaking across Tonlé Sap lake or picnicking in a secluded
jungle.
It is these memorable experiences that draw visitors from as far afield as the
US, the UK, Italy and Australia.
Booth said: “Some clients are extremely upmarket, flying in on private jets
for a whistle-stop tour of Asia. But the packages aren’t priced at the top
end. It’s just that the effort and research is appreciated more by
discerning travellers.”
Booth is keen that his philanthropy should not be taken the wrong way,
explaining: “We don’t want the sympathy vote. We want people to come and
have a great experience using the local knowledge myself and my team have
built up.
“Some people do travel with us because of what we do with our profits. But
just because we are non-profit doesn’t make us woolly. Our staff are paid
the market rate and we run ourselves as a commercial entity.”
Despite downplaying his altruism, the non-profit approach does help open doors
in Cambodia.
“People in remote villages give us and our customers a super warm welcome as
we are helping their children get an education,” said Booth.
“We get into places other travel companies don’t, given this huge goodwill.”
About Asia's website: www.aboutasiatravel.com
