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Planeterra and G Adventures announce 100th Community Tourism Project

access_time3 years ago
Planeterra and G Adventures announce 100th Community Tourism Project

Non-profit launches year-end fundraising campaign as global work reaches a milestone

 

Planeterra, the non-profit partner of G Adventures, today announced that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic it has completed ‘Project 100’ – an ambitious effort to partner with 100 community tourism projects globally which, as well as operating as standalone enterprises, will be available to visit on G Adventures’ tours in 2021 and beyond.

 

Now in the home stretch of funding the final 10 confirmed projects, Planeterra is also announcing its ‘Home for the Holidays’ fundraising campaign which aims to raise US$15,000 by the end of 2020. Around the world, communities reliant on tourism have gone almost a year without income – funds typically used to uplift families, provide education to children and protect the environment. This money will be used to help with training and support as the projects prepare to welcome travelers back when tourism starts to return.

 

Project 100 was announced in 2015 by the founder of both Planeterra and G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip, as an initiative with a five-year goal to formalize partnerships with 100 community tourism enterprises, helping them realize the benefits of tourism with support from Planeterra.

 

Poon Tip believes local communities should be at the heart of tourism as the travel industry rebounds and travellers start heading back out into the world.

 

“We were determined to complete Project 100 this year as these communities are going to need travellers more than ever following the devastating impact of the global pandemic. Most travelers know what an incredible experience it is to eat at a community-run restaurant, to buy souvenirs directly from an artisan, or to empower a women’s business in the travel industry. Now there are 100 opportunities to help change people’s lives through community tourism, simply by traveling on a G Adventures tour,” says Poon Tip.

 

All 100 projects in 57 countries can now be viewed on Planeterra’s website, where donations can also be made to assist all community tourism partners so they are ready to welcome travelers again. The final 10 projects to be completed are as follows.

 

  1. Galapagos Coffee Tour – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – Community-owned organic coffee farm hosting tours to educate travellers about sustainable coffee production while providing income for 59 local families.

  2. Cafe Reconcile – New Orleans, U.S.A. – A non-profit cafe providing mentorship and support for at-risk youth through a training program for those wanting to gain employment in the hospitality industry in New Orleans.

  3. Wise Greece – Athens, Greece – Social enterprise selling locally-made Greek products, with income being invested into purchasing food for homeless shelters, refugee organizations and others in need.

  4. No Limits Cafe – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Vocational training centre for young adults with down syndrome that hosts locals and visitors for coffee and breaks down societal norms that have left many differently-abled people without employment

  5. Isla Maciel – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Community tour experience working to break the stigma associated with the area, while providing youth with opportunities to gain skills in tourism.

  6. Turismo Comunitario Urari – Boquete, Panama – Community tourism initiative benefitting 1,500 Indigenous Ngabe, providing jobs hosting travellers on tours and at the community-owned restaurant, cocoa farm, and lodge.

  7. Driver Srey – Siem Reap, Cambodia –  A women-owned and run tuk-tuk enterprise in Siem Reap which empowers local women by bringing them into the male-dominated chauffeur service.

  8. Alebrijes Zoologico Magico – Oaxaca, Meciao – A women-owned cooperative dedicated to preserving the zapoteca culture, with revenue from handicrafts and visits benefitting 13 women and their families.

  9. Machanents Tourism & Art Centre – Yerevan, Armenia – A social enterprise restaurant and art gallery whose revenue supports a non-profit art program serving 400 children and provides services like free art therapy.

  10. Good Work Foundation – Hazyview, South Africa – Non-profit cafe hosting a training program for at-risk youth who are able to learn about the hospitality industry while working in the kitchen, dining room and catering departments.

 

For more information please visit www.gadventures.com or www.planeterra.org.