A Case for Travel: 5 Planeterra Projects with Socioeconomic Impact

Planeterra has a vision and mission united with responsible tourism to create jobs and opportunities to empower people, build community, celebrate culture, and promote environmental sustainability. Consequently, travel creates a connection between travellers and the cultures they would otherwise not experience. Responsible travel is our chance to make someone else’s life better on this planet. Can you think of a better use of your time than to serve other people?

“Travel and tourism are one of the most diverse sectors, employing people from all socioeconomic backgrounds regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, with almost 54 percent of whom are women and up to 30 percent youths.” Gloria Guevara, WTTC President and CEO (World Travel and Tourism Council) (Clarke, 2021)

For this article, Planeterra will be featured as an example of how tourism can impact the world and be a force for good.

Listen. Learn. Think. Your view of tourism might change.

*Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you book through my link, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Who is Planeterra?

Planeterra is a global leading non-profit harnessing community tourism for poverty alleviation. Established in 2003 by entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist Bruce Poon Tip, Planeterra is a non-profit organization that has contributed millions of dollars towards projects in areas of social enterprise, healthcare, conservation, and emergency response.

Planeterra works with local organizations to use tourism to improve people’s lives, protect their natural environments, and celebrate their culture. Through travel, Poon Tip realized he could change people’s lives by helping local communities earn an income from tourism. (Tip, 2013)

Planeterra’s Vision Statement:

A world where people create their economic opportunities, places are protected, and cultures are celebrated through travel. (Planeterra, 2020)

Planeterra’s Mission Statement:

To connect our partners and local communities to the benefits of tourism by developing and supporting community-owned enterprises while promoting more responsible travel. (Planeterra, 2020)

How Does Planeterra Support Community Initiatives Around the World?

› Providing start-up grants for infrastructure and equipment.

› Training communities with the skills they need to manage a successful business.

› Integrating new community experiences into tour itineraries of travel company partners to provide those communities with a sustainable income. (Planeterra, 2020)

The goal is to set people up for long-term success by lifting them out of poverty while focusing on the immediate profitability of the business. As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Who is G Adventures?

G Adventures is a Canadian travel company built on the belief that every single one of their tours should support the communities they encounter. When you travel with G Adventures, you can feel good knowing they create tours by building meaningful relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places you visit, all the while gaining an authentic experience.

Social Enterprise in Tourism

Tourism is an $8 trillion global industry, but many local businesses and communities do not benefit from it. There are some forms of tourism where $0 reaches the hands of local people. (Planeterra, 2020) The strengthening of global community tourism creates economic opportunities, protects places, and celebrates cultures. It is possible to reduce poverty through community tourism.

Working with partners in over 40 countries, Planeterra’s community partners are local non-profits, grassroots community organizations, and existing social enterprises. Through these connections, Planeterra and their partners are working directly to give women worth, enable youth to be proud of themselves and their communities, and sustain the environment through travel.

Effectively using tourism to improve the lives of ostracized women, underprivileged youth, and rural communities suffering from dwindling populations is proof your decision and privilege to travel will change the world.

Women Entrepreneurs

Over half the tourism workforce are women; the majority are underpaid with limited opportunities for advancement.

Women in many countries do not receive education and economic opportunities. Planeterra’s projects inspire women to start their first jobs outside their homes. By building up their confidence through projects, they are encouraged to take on leadership roles in their communities.

Planeterra works with restaurants and cafés to provide jobs, training, and skills for marginalized women. The initiatives empowering women to take on roles traditionally reserved for men result in a breakdown of gender inequality. An example would be employment in transportation, accommodation, handicrafts, tours, and experiences.

Currently, Planeterra has 20 women’s global projects directly impacting 1,691 people and indirectly impacting 16,742 people. (Planeterra, 2020)

Berracas de la 13 – Medellin, Colombia

18 Women Employed, 284 community members benefitting.

Comuna 13 is an area within Medellin previously known as one of the most dangerous communities in Colombia and in the world under the Pablo Escobar regime. Times have changed, though. Today, Medellin has become a popular tourist destination and has had a significant crime reduction.

Berracas de la 13 was the brainchild of a small network of women in Comuna 13 to empower women and youth in their community who have experienced violence and various injustices. The women’s small businesses selling handicrafts and souvenirs generating income to support their community.

In 2016, the women opened an establishment called Berracas Restaurant to produce even more revenue and opportunities. Despite their progress, Berracas de la 13 had been unable to access the international tourism market. They were also unable to secure funding to get the equipment necessary to comply with government regulations for a restaurant.

Planeterra teamed up with Berracas de la 13 by providing the women with a grant to redevelop their restaurant. The grant enabled them to replace equipment in disrepair, upgrade their kitchen facilities, and obtain a tourism licence. Planeterra’s partnership has allowed them to improve their business, increase revenue, and invest back into their community.

Connecting Berracas de la 13 to the tourism market also resulted in a new walking tour and meal service in Comuna 13.

Travellers can connect to the power and pride of the local community. Learning from local guides, visiting shops, buying food, and unique handicrafts add to the authentic experience.

How has Berracas de la 13 Been Affected by the Reduction in Tourism?

The new restaurant relaunch was off to a great start in January 2020 when the pandemic hit. Being in an urban location, the families are at risk of food insecurity. A grant from Planeterra delivered food parcels to over 130 families under the regular support of the organization.

Youth Opportunities

In many parts of the world, youth have limited access to formal education and meaningful employment opportunities. Children have access to better education through Planeterra and G Adventures tourism projects. The result builds skills to find long-term employment as the children progress in age.

Planeterra has 10 youth projects worldwide, with 516 youth directly impacted and 3,181 people indirectly impacted. One such project is Bike with Purpose in Belize. (Planeterra, 2020)

Bike with Purpose – Caye Caulker, Belize

125 students directly impacted, 1,000 community members benefitting.

Caye Caulker is a remote island in Belize. The local economy on the island is fishing and boat building. Travel to the mainland is necessary for students to receive a quality education. As a result of this barrier, many students quit school and join the workforce by age 12. Nationwide, only 50% of secondary-aged youth are in school. Only 35% of students continued past primary school before the opening of Ocean Academy in Caye Caulker. (Planeterra, 2020)

The Ocean Academy school opened in 2008. It was the first and only community high school on the island of Caye Caulker. As a result, more than 90% of students attend school. Many of the students are the first in their families to go to high school. Today, 125 students enrolled in Ocean Academy, and 25 of those students are directly involved in the Bike with Purpose project. The local economy of the island has shifted to aquatic sports, tourism, and hospitality services. Youth in Bike with Purpose develop skills and training necessary for future employment opportunities. The project has also reduced the school dropout rate.

Partnering with Ocean Academy, Planeterra sought to create a student-led bicycle tour of the island called Bike with Purpose. Planeterra raised donations to fund needed bicycles and other materials to make the project possible. Planeterra also connected Bike with Purpose to tourism partners, creating a constant stream of travellers. Bike with Purpose funds nearly 15% of the educational programs for the students at Ocean Academy.

Communities Protecting the Environment

Rural and Indigenous communities experience significant barriers to accessing the formal economy. When the chance does arise, they risk losing unique traditions and cultures.

Communities promoting a sustainable environment for generations to come are the epitome of responsible tourism. Garbage clean-up, planting trees, community gardens, energy conservation, water and sanitation, and upcycling plastics are key Planeterra projects. Therefore, these projects allow locals to earn income through cultural celebration while impacting thousands of lives.

Soa Zara – Ronahira, Madagascar

12 people employed, 100,000 trees planted.

Madagascar is home to unique plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet. However, deforestation is a concern in Madagascar. The island has lost 90% of its original forests cleared by humans for agriculture and fuel use. The vulnerability of many unique animal species is drastically affected by deforestation. 

L’Association Soa Zara (founded in 2016) pledges to protect the environment and empower their community through a tree planting project that travellers can also experience. Planeterra partnered with Soa Zara in this project. Travellers stay at a nearby lodge while getting hands-on by planting their trees in the “green corridor” next to the Isalo National Park. The inception of the project has seen more than 100,000 trees planted.

The tree planting experience has provided a steady stream of income for the area. Planeterra supports Soa Zara’s current washbasin project that seeks to protect the nearby river from pollution. The project empowers women as they work with local women’s groups to install washing stations in Ranohira. (Planeterra Foundation, 2019)

How has Soa Zara Been Affected by the Reduction in Tourism?

Through donations, Planeterra sent a grant to Soa Zara of food parcels to their members and employees; however, the area is also in an ongoing drought. Planeterra will be expanding Soa Zara’s food garden to provide for their staff long-term.

Conserving Cultures

Creating meaningful connections between travellers and indigenous people through social enterprise is the key to responsible tourism. Planeterra supports programs that recognize the unique offerings indigenous and rural communities have for the conscious traveller searching for a powerful human connection and cultural immersion.

Globally, Planeterra has 55 ongoing community culture projects directly impacting 4,029 communities and indirectly impacting 34,168 communities. (Planeterra, 2020)

Domari Culture and Craft Experience – Jerusalem, Israel

10 Women Employed.

The Dom (Gypsy) community in Jerusalem faces regular discrimination for not being fully integrated into the Israeli or Palestinian societies. Dom children often have lower education levels than other children in Jerusalem. The women are often underemployed.

The Domari Society of Gypsies has been working to create employment opportunities for Dom women and educational support to children to raise their status in society. This partnership provided much-needed training opportunities in hospitality for women, funding to support their children’s programs, and a platform to share details about a culture and language. (Planeterra Foundation, 2019)

The Dom language is spoken, not written. Many of the Dom youths have not learned the language. The result? There is a risk of losing the Dom language due to the weakening of the Domari culture.

Planeterra developed and launched the Domari Society of Gypsies’ first tourism partnership in Jerusalem, providing the equipment and training necessary to create a successful tourism experience. A dining area welcomes travellers who enjoy unique Domari food and culture. Women are trained in hospitality and storytelling, preparing them with basic English skills to better communicate with travellers. A handicraft shop at the community centre provides a positive shopping experience for travellers while also supporting Dom artisans across Jerusalem.

How has Domari Culture and Craft Experience Been Affected by the Reduction in Tourism?

COVID-19 has stopped tourism income. Planeterra has sent a grant to provide food packages to the women and their families to meet basic needs. Funding the purchase of a new bread oven has enabled them to make and sell fresh bread to the community to earn a long-term income.

Ocean Health Fund

8 partners across the globe, $400,000 invested.

G Adventures and Planeterra have partnered together to support initiatives by directly investing in ocean conservation. Thousands of travellers who have travelled on the G Expedition ship support the efforts. The Ocean Health Fund has contributed over $450,000 to date to programs supporting:

• Conservation of marine species.
• The battle to remove plastic ocean waste.
• Climate and science research.
• Communities that rely on the oceans to be stewards of their environment. (Planeterra Foundation, 2020)

Galápagos Whale Shark Project

Planeterra’s Ocean Health Fund has partnered with Marine Megafauna Foundation to support the Galapagos Whale Shark Project. Founded by Dr. Jonathan Green, the project continues to make historic firsts for Whale Sharks research.

In 2019, a grant of $20,000 contributed to new devices used to track whale sharks for longer periods. The tracking tags stay on at depths previously never measured, resulting in more accurate behaviour observation. The goal is to determine possible pupping areas as well as migration patterns related to habitat. The long-term effect will help define important Marine Protected Areas for safeguarding the exquisite behemoths. (Planeterra Foundation, 2019)

Companies Integrating Planeterra Projects into their Itineraries

G Adventures, Just You, and Travelsphere (UK Brands) are travel companies integrating Planeterra projects into their worldwide itineraries. For instance, travellers can have an authentic and unique experience while giving back to the places they visit while on holiday—the pinnacle of responsible tourism.

G Adventures has integrated 85 of Planeterra’s projects into their tours, sending over 119,000 travellers to visit project partners in 2019. This revenue keeps projects sustainable and investments can continue to address issues affecting communities.

How Can you Help Planeterra from Home?

We may be grounded right now but that does not mean we cannot make an impact. There are ways we can help from home as we wait for international travel to resume.

Planeterra’s Project Shop and More Resources

Check out Planeterra’s online shop to help support communities around the world that have been devastated economically and socially by the pandemic here.

Planeterra gave out emergency grants that were made possible by donations. You can also donate to Planeterra here.

The Power of Human Connection

What is your true motivation for travel? Is it to gain new perspectives? Is it to experience the culture and beauty of the world? Or perhaps you want to see the world from someone else’s eyes. There are so many reasons to travel. Travel is not only about what is good for us. The power and privilege you exercise when you travel is incredible. Next time you book that ticket, ask how you can travel better and connect with the people you will encounter on your next adventure. Be the agent of change.

References

Clarke, P. (2021). The Importance of Travel & Tourism in Driving Global Economy. Travel Pulse.

Planeterra. (2020). Planeterra Home. Retrieved from Planeterra.org: https://planeterra.org/

Planeterra Foundation. (2019). 2019 Impact Report. Planeterra Foundation.

Planeterra Foundation. (2020). Ocean Health Fund. Retrieved from Planeterra Foundation: https://planeterra.org/ocean-health-fund/

Planeterra Foundation. (2020). Turn Travel Into Impact from Home. Retrieved from Planeterra: https://planeterra.org/turn-travel-into-impact-from-home/

Tip, B. P. (2013). Looptail. Toronto: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.