How do you monitor and measure the social and economic benefits of your tours for the host communities?

1 Define your goals and indicators

Before you start your tour, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. What are the specific objectives and outcomes of your tour for the host communities? How will you know if you have met them? You can use different types of indicators, such as quantitative (numbers, percentages, ratios) or qualitative (stories, feedback, perceptions), to track your progress and results. For example, you can measure how much money your tour generates for local businesses, how many jobs it supports, how it affects the quality of life and well-being of the residents, or how it contributes to the preservation of the culture and environment.

2 Collect and analyze data

Once you have defined your goals and indicators, you need to collect and analyze data to evaluate your tour performance. You can use different methods and sources of data, such as surveys, interviews, observations, reports, or online reviews, to gather information from your clients, staff, partners, and host communities. You can also use tools and software, such as spreadsheets, databases, or dashboards, to organize and visualize your data. For example, you can use a survey tool to ask your clients about their satisfaction, learning, and impact on the host communities, or you can use a dashboard tool to monitor and compare your tour revenue, expenses, and social return on investment.

3 Communicate and report your results

After you have collected and analyzed your data, you need to communicate and report your results to your stakeholders and audiences. You can use different formats and channels, such as reports, newsletters, blogs, social media, or presentations, to share your findings, insights, and recommendations. You can also use different strategies and techniques, such as storytelling, infographics, testimonials, or case studies, to make your results more engaging and compelling. For example, you can use a report to summarize your tour performance and impact for your partners and funders, or you can use a blog to showcase your success stories and best practices for your clients and followers.