Smokey Tours

Smokey Tours overview of online articles 

• The Wall Street Journal: Touring Dan Brown's Portrait of Manila
• Youtube Smokey Tours: Smokey Mountain Tour by Smokey Tours featured on TV5
• Voice of America: Manila Dump Neighborhood Tour an 'Eye-opener' for Visitors
• One World: The story of how I ended up in the Philippines
• Escape Manila: Smokey Mountain Tour : Experiencing the Slums of Manila
• Wazzup Pilipinas: Smokey Mountain Tour: Exploring Manila's Biggest Slum Area
• Wazzup Pilipinas: Market Tour of Old Manila: A Visit to the Vibrant Yesteryears
• GMA Network: Smokey Tours aims to show tourists the harsh realities of Manila
• Youtube - Coconuts TV:  Manila's Smokey Mountain Slum
• Bren on The Road: Inside Manila: A Walk Through The Slums Of The Philippine Capital
• JustOneWayTicket: Smokey Mountain: A Walk Through The Slums Of Manila, Philippines
• Jon to the World Blog: The 2 Faces of Slum Tourism in Manila
• LS City Guides: MANILA | PHILIPPINES
• The Altruistic Traveller: Manila’s Slums – The People Left Behind
• National Geographic Channel: Inside the Controversial World of Slum Tourism
• Fb ONE News: Positivity and resiliency makes the Filipino powerful and impressive
• Fb ANC 24/7 Shoptalk: Moral and socio-cultural tours work as a tool to promote social change and empower the underprivileged
• Leadership Girl: Entrepreneur Interview – Juliette Kwee
• Getting Stamped: Things To Do In Manila | 2 Days In Manila Itinerary
• Backpacken In Azie: Bezienswaardigheden in Manilla
• Turistaboy: What I have learned from my first Slum Tour
• Good Travel: Slum tourism in the Philippines
• Eco Business: Do slum tours really benefit the poor?
• De Filipijnen: Ervaar het echte Manilla
• Vrouwen Ondernemen: In gesprek met Martha Westpalm van Hoorn – Wielens van Notadaydream
• One News: Cemetery As Heritage: Reliving History Through The Dead
• Spot: 10 Great Guided Tours by Locals Around the Philippines
• Primer: 10 Themed Tours You Should Not Miss in Manila

The Circle is Complete

Hereby an official announcement, with pain in my heart and at the same time a huge smile on my face: Smokey Tours has been divided by Smokey Tours by Bless the Children and Smokey Projects.

A piece of history: 15 years ago, when I arrived in the Philippines and started volunteering for BYSMP (Bless the Children Foundation) I was touched by all the work done by the staff helping the poorest of the poor. Throughout the years I stayed in touch with Bless the Children, doing projects together, organizing events, and anything that seemed interesting and useful.

At the same time, I wanted to help more people in the Philippines, and I wanted people to experience the people in the slums as I did. So, the gap between rich and poor would be not only visible but also experienced. My dream was that with every visit to the slums, and every personal encounter with someone who lives in other circumstances, a seed was planted in people’s lives, so they could see what was important and that we are all the same in the end.

Smokey Tours grew with the help of many: the JoHo Foundation, Reality Tours & Travel, Sining Kamalig, and all kinds of interns, volunteers, and staff. The idea was to stay small and personal. I would never have imagined that I would teach Sustainable tourism at the Asian Institute of Management, be a keynote speaker for Filipino tourism students all over the country and to be awarded with a social entrepreneurship price. I have made many mistakes, but always did what felt the best. It was all about talent development, for our team, for the guests and for the people in the communities in the slums. I have been giving all I had literally and figuratively. It was not always easy and at the same time a lot of fun.

Now it is time to have faith in others. Bless the Children Foundation, I know you can do it, and many people will develop their talents during this adventure. I will always be there and giving a piece of me, with Smokey Projects. The Philippines will always be a part of me. The circle is complete. Bahala na.