Connecting communities to travellers and tourism opportunities

The key to the success of a community tourism enterprise lies in establishing strong market connections.

?These connections enable communities to secure a consistent flow of visitors, granting them access to the benefits of tourism. So, how do we generate these connections?

Connecting communities with travellers and tourism opportunities is fundamental to Planeterra's mission. We achieve this by partnering with travel companies committed to responsible tourism practices. These partners share our vision of offering unforgettable experiences to travellers while contributing positively to the places they visit.

Our ultimate goal is to integrate the unique experiences provided by community-owned and led enterprises into the itineraries of our travel partners. In doing so, we guarantee that the economic benefits of #tourism remain within the communities, fostering financial sustainability for local enterprises??

However, the process of integration is not as simple as it sounds. Work needs to be done to ensure these communities have all the necessary resources to host travellers and deliver exceptional experiences.

Throughout the connection phase, our activities revolve around field visits, extensive mentorship, capacity building, and often include kickstart grants.

Learn more about how Planeterra fosters these connections by meeting our latest community partners:

??12 families from the community of Cuyo Chico, Sacred Valley, Peru, got together to create something extraordinary: Tinkuy Community Tourism .

Through our partnership, Planeterra:

• Provided comprehensive training programs and facility improvements.
• Enhanced capacity and resources for the community.
• Supported the development of captivating cultural experiences, with a focus on traditional pottery and gastronomy.
• Established a connection between Tinkuy and one of our travel partners, resulting in a sustainable source of income through tourism.

This has also helped the community of Cuyo Chico celebrate traditions and explore newfound economic opportunities.

??The members of Ban Ou Community Tourism , located along the path to Kuang Si waterfall in Luang Prabang, wanted to take advantage of the untapped potential for benefiting from the tourism industry.

Through our partnership, Planeterra:

• Provided comprehensive training.
• Supported infrastructure improvements.
• Enhanced the dining area and waste management facilities.
• Connected them to be integrated into the itineraries of our travel partners visiting the area, uplifting 10 local families.

??Located on the West Bank of Luxor, Funtasia offers a unique bike experience led by gap year young students.

Through our partnership, Planeterra:

• Provided a grant to enhance the safety of bike tours
• Facilitated comprehensive training and support
• Integrated Funtasia's bike tours into one of our travel partner's itineraries

?The bike tour serves as a means to generate income to fuel Funtasia's programs empowering local youth.

Tourism is a dynamic industry, and #CommunityTourism enterprises often find themselves needing to enhance infrastructure and facilities, invest in additional training, or create new experiences from the ground up.

With the support of our donors and partners, Planeterra is able to assist these enterprises in refining their offerings responsibly. This not only benefits the local communities and the environment but also creates ripple effects for everyone involved .

Interested in supporting our mission this holiday season? Here are some ways:

• Donate to our cause .
• Sign up for our?newsletter ?(and invite others to join!) – we are sharing more inspiring stories in there, and you won't want to miss it.

Share our posts on social media with your network.

Until next time????