Non-profit is making the future of travel more responsible and equitable through community tourism
Toronto, Canada – Planeterra, the world’s leading non-profit dedicated to supporting communities through tourism, has been recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s first-ever Bright Ideas in Travel list for their Global Community Tourism Fund, a grant program that supports community-based tourism initiatives.
“To be recognized as one of the organizations transforming the travel industry by one of the world’s leading travel publications is an honour,” said Jamie Sweeting, President of Planeterra. “Planeterra is thrilled to have our Global Community Tourism Fund named one of the ‘Bright Ideas in Travel’ for 2022.”
Through this fund, Planeterra provides small grants to help local entrepreneurs and communities worldwide benefit from tourism, ultimately making the future of travel more responsible and equitable. “These grants have a huge impact in relieving out-of-pocket expenses for small community enterprises creating the ability for them to scale up,” said Tricia Schers, Planeterra’s Director of Partnerships and Development.
The Global Community Tourism Fund is one of the first programs in the tourism industry to reach out specifically to community-based organizations with grants ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. During its first funding round in May 2022, it awarded grants to seven businesses, including ASTURS PERÚ, a Peruvian homestay network operated by local Indigenous families and The Cove Ecolodge, a social enterprise in Chitende, Malawi. Additionally, Planeterra provides training, logistical support, and mentoring to small, community-owned tourism enterprises worldwide. By doing so, the nonprofit seeks to see more tourism dollars staying in local communities.
The Bright Ideas in Travel list is a special annual edition that highlights businesses and individuals who are tackling the most pressing issues in tourism, driving the industry forward. The list is divided into different sections including hotels, destinations, air travel, cruise, rail travel, space travel, planning tools and organizations and classified with the following badge keys: tech, design, sustainability, community, accessibility, inclusion and conservation.
According to Condé Nast Traveler, Planeterra and the other innovators featured on the list are changing the way we travel. Honorees were selected by their global network of editors working in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, India, the Middle East, and China.
Planeterra has plans to grow the fund to be able to offer more grants in 2023. “We continue to look for travel companies and travellers interested in supporting this innovative initiative and invite them to join us to help uplift even more communities through travel,” said Sweeting.
About Planeterra
Planeterra is the world’s leading nonprofit using tourism to uplift communities. Planeterra helps local organizations and communities use tourism as a catalyst to improve people’s lives, protect their natural environments, and celebrate their culture. Put simply, it is a better kind of tourism – improving the lives of community members as they provide travellers with better experiences. Planeterra is more than just an agent of change and driver of communal well-being, they are tested and trusted builders uplifting communities through tourism.
For more information please visit www.planeterra.org and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.