Tourism for good: How Planeterra is uplifting women through community tourism
International Women's Day is an opportunity to reflect and raise awareness of the work that still needs to be done to make this world a fairer and more just place for all.
While women play an important role in the sustainable development of tourism and make up the majority of the sector's workforce, in many places, they still lack opportunities to bring their unique skills, perspectives, and knowledge to the table.?
If you have been following our work, you know that Planeterra is working hard to provide women with opportunities to bring their unique skills, perspectives, and knowledge to the table. We use community tourism to bring down the barriers to women's empowerment.
Over the years, we have witnessed first-hand how creating opportunities for women starts a ripple effect not only for themselves but for their families, their communities, and the environment.?
Today, we'd like you to meet some of our inspiring female-owned-and-led projects:
??Berracas de la 13 - Medellín, Colombia
In Colombia, a "Berraca" is a brave, determined and gutsy woman who doesn't give up despite any circumstances, and that is exactly what the incredible women of Comunidad 13, Medellín are.
Berracas de la 13, was created by a small network of women to empower women and youth in their community who have experienced violence and various injustices.?
With the support of Planeterra, they developed a new tour and meal service. They now share their stories and culture with travellers and create meaningful connections.
Learn more about Berracas de la 13, here.
???oep(m)adam - Ayvalik, Türkiye
?oep(m)adam is a social enterprise that initially started as an experimental project in Ayvalik, western Türkiye, focusing on women's employment and the importance of recycling/reuse. Planeterra helped ensure a guaranteed revenue stream by connecting them with the wider travel market.
Be sure to visit ?oep(m)adam on your next trip to Türkiye and buy their products! You will be directly supporting the women who made them and creating a positive impact in their lives.
Learn more about ?oep(m)adam, here.
??Panauti Community Homestay - Panauti, Nepal
Choosing to stay in a homestay is one of the best ways to create meaningful connections with the local communities. Located just outside of Kathmandu and historic sites, Panauti Community Homestay not only offers travellers an immersive experience but also provides local women with the opportunity to thrive and break down stereotypes.
Through this program, women are gaining new skills and becoming confident, as well as earning a living for themselves and their families.?
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Learn more about Panauti Community Homestay, here.
??Esencia Andina - Cusco, Perú
Many travellers begin the Inca Trail Trek every day and they can leave behind more than just their footprints. Plastics are a problem but also non-biodegradable soaps and shampoos can leave behind chemicals that pollute the land and the water in the area. Fortunately, Planeterra partnered with Esencia Andina, a small women-owned enterprise in Cusco.?
They produce biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, porters, and cooks on the Inca Trail. Through this, Escencia Andina is lessening the negative impacts of tourism in the area and empowering young Peruvian women to start their own enterprises.
Learn more about Esencia Andina, here.
??Nyamirambo Women’s Center - Kigali, Rwanda
Many Rwandan women face gender-based violence, inequality, and discrimination. To fight this, the Nyamirambo Women’s Center (NWC) provides education and training for local women. This allows them to gain better access to employment opportunities and improve their lives.
The NWC also started offering community tours, cooking classes and craft workshops to support their initiatives. When travellers visit them, they can get an insight into their everyday life and learn about their challenges. They can also purchase a nice souvenir for home.?Tourism is benefitting the women at NWC and the community at large.
Learn more about the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, here.
These are only five of the inspiring projects using #communitytourism to change lives. To check out more, visit planeterra.org/where-we-work/ Also, subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest updates!
Planeterra will continue using tourism as a tool to create a more fair, just, and equitable world for women.?Will you join us? Here are some ways:
??Make a donation.
??Become a Citizen of Change.
I've been fortunate to have visited several of these Planeterra projects and met many of the women involved in them. It's so true that creating access and opportunities for women is an investment in future generations. As you say, it "starts a ripple effect not only for themselves but for their families, their communities, and the environment."
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2 年My appreciation and Best wishes to Planeterra for their outstanding contribution to women empowerment through community- based tourism on this women’s day 2023