Adventure travel pioneer and Planeterra Chairman, Bruce Poon Tip, calls upon travellers and the industry to support community tourism’s recovery
Today, leading community tourism non-profit, Planeterra, launched its second annual Planeterra Trek Challenge, encouraging travel-lovers to work together to support a more equal recovery of tourism post-COVID, putting communities at the centre of their efforts.
Building on the success of last year’s trek to Everest Base Camp, which raised US$80,000, this year’s trek will take place virtually summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, between September 23-27, culminating on World Tourism Day. Planeterra will use the trek to highlight its community tourism partners across East Africa, all while challenging participants to walk approximately 52,500 steps (40km or 25 miles).
Tourism is recovering but the recovery is far from equal. Some communities have been able to receive travellers safely, but others have not. Funds raised during this year’s trek challenge will assist Planeterra in mentoring and providing training for community tourism enterprises so they are ready to receive travellers again and feel confident with new protocols.
Bruce Poon Tip, founder and chairman of Planterra and founder of group travel operator G Adventures, has put together a team and recorded a video encouraging travel lovers, and those across the travel industry, to join this year’s virtual Kili Climb.
“Last year, the Planeterra Trek Challenge created connections across the travel industry and amongst those who value a different kind of travel – one that puts communities at its heart,” said Poon Tip. “We want to highlight this incredible region, where travellers are currently safely visiting, while raising some much-needed funds to get community tourism back on track around the world.”
Throughout the month of September, Planeterra will be posting videos, blogs, and info, while hosting live events, highlighting the organization’s work in the region, as well as tips for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and travelling to East Africa.
“The entire team has been working alongside our partners in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and others to curate a series of unique stories, videos, and information highlighting what it’s like to travel to the region,” says Evie Nhdlovu, Planeterra’s Program Manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “We’re excited to showcase this area of the continent to participants, and hopefully encourage them to plan their visit.”
About Planeterra
Planeterra is the world’s leading non-governmental organization turning travel into impact in 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 of self-esteem and pride. Pride that we can all share as well as take pleasure in – from uplifting communities through tourism.