Our 2021 Impact Report
From the launch of the Global Community Tourism Network, the Planeterra Trek Challenge, our partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and completing Project 100 through our year-end fundraiser the Wish List, despite the challenges of the ongoing global pandemic, we are proud of what was accomplished in 2021.
By the end of 2021, although some of our community partners were quick to receive travellers, many had yet to receive travellers and begin earning an income from the tourism industry once again. With the help of our supporters, we continue to work to build back better as we strive to change lives through travel.
Our 2020 Impact Report
Planeterra started 2020 on a high, having set our sights on the successful launch of Project 100, poised to be positively impacting at least 100 communities by year’s end. However, other partners in places like Italy and China soon had to close their doors due to government-issued stay-at-home orders, with the spread of COVID-19 worldwide.
This past year was an extremely difficult year for the travel industry and the communities that we work with. But because of our supporters, we were able to send 30 emergency grants to our partners in extreme need, launch an online resource hub for our growing number of communities, work with governments to support community tourism initiatives and continue to change lives.
Responsible Community Tourism Development Manual
Responsible Community Tourism Development Manual – Part 1 – is based on a strategic planning approach for practitioners, governments, destinations and organizations, either involved in or wishing to embark on a community tourism development journey. The manual includes material on all aspects of the planning process. This work is the result of many years of research and practice by an interdisciplinary team drawn from many countries around the world. The original manual was the work of a team from the University of Calgary (Walter Jamieson, Janet Baker, Dianne Draper, Don Getz). It was further developed by a team at the Asian Institute of Technology as part of a Canadian International Development Agency funded project (Walter Jamieson, Pawinee Sunalai and Pallavi Mandke) and further enhanced by researchers at the Asian Center for Tourism Planning and Poverty Reduction (Walter Jamieson, Pawinee Sunalai and Song-Kanokrattana Netlomwong). Through a new lens, Kelly Galaski and Walter Jamieson worked together to update and include examples and lessons from Planeterra’s experience developing over one hundred community tourism experiences in sixty countries. Planeterra specializes in the connection of community enterprises to the marketplace. Building on established knowledge resources, this manual’s objective is to provide an updated step-by-step guide that includes lessons learned from real community tourism planning processes and enterprise development initiatives.
The work is not yet complete. The next step in this living manual is to turn to our peers – – practitioners, communities, professionals around the world that would like to contribute further updates and examples. Submit your ideas, edits, or illustrative case examples here
Our Impact in 2019
2019 was monumental for Planeterra, as we achieved our 50 in 5 goal, launched 15 new projects, and forged partnerships with new travel brands like Travelsphere and Just You. Not to mention all of the incredible stories of impact we heard – too many for a 26-page report – but we’ve highlighted a handful.
It took a global community dedicated to turn travel into impact to help us reach our goal of 50 in 5, impacting the lives of over 65,000 people. We are so incredibly grateful to all our global volunteer ambassadors, donors and supporters around the world who donated this past year to empower local communities and their people. We couldn’t do this work without you. Thank you!
Our Impact in 2018
The year 2018 was an eventful year filled with social and political movements, polarizing world events, and endless news cycles. At the same time, we saw much of the world begin to take change into their own hands. Here at Planeterra, we watched momentum of grassroots-driven movements surge around issues like gender equality. We knew this year we had to put a focus on these issues, with our own twist. Our team set out around the world, spurred on by the desire to use the travel industry to distribute wealth to those who need it most, not only to fight poverty, but to strive for a more equal world, where cultures are celebrated, women are empowered, the environment is protected, and no member of society is left behind.
The achievements of 2018 were made possible by the ongoing support of Planeterra’s investors and changemakers, our program partners, our fundraising volunteers, and through our founding partner, G Adventures. Together we are creating opportunities through travel.
The Successful Completion of the 50 IN 5 Campaign
Planeterra is excited to announce the successful completion of our 50 in 5 Campaign (a year and a half early)! With your help we have integrated 50 new social enterprise projects into travel itineraries, impacting communities in over 45 countries. This would not have been possible without our supporters known as our Citizens of Change or our loyal travellers who connect with Planeterra’s mission and turn travel into impact.
Method Validation through the Inter-American Development Bank Multilateral Investment Fund
In 2012, Planeterra was granted with a $1 million multi-year partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank Multilateral Investment Fund to develop a sustainable community-based tourism (CBT) program in Central and South America. The aim of the project was to increase the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises (MSE) by optimizing their market access and efficiency in the tourism value chain. By partnering with a global tour operator on product development efforts, MSEs gain access to a ready market, capabilities and the tools to serve the market demand.
Five main CBT initiatives were developed to serve as the principal elements to which other micro and small businesses were linked, expanding the economic opportunities in each of the communities touched by the project.
2017 Impact Report
June 12, 2018
Planeterra’s 2017 Impact Report showcases the impact that Planeterra programs had all across the world in 2017. Get to know the donors that make our work possible, see which projects were brought on in 2017, and learn about some of the amazing ripple effects that tourism is having on communities.
2016 Impact Report
May 30, 2017
Planeterra’s 2016 Impact Report showcases the impact that Planeterra programs had all across the world in 2016. Get to know the donors that make our work possible, see which projects were brought on in 2016, and learn about some of the amazing ripple effects that tourism is having on communities.
Indigenous Peoples and the Travel Industry: Global Good Practice Guidelines
June 12, 2018
Indigenous communities and their unique cultures are so important to the authentic tourism experience. Planeterra is committed to respecting the rights, history, and culture of Indigenous people while ensuring that tourism supports their well-being. That’s why we’re aiming to raise the bar for the entire travel industry with practical global guidelines.
Voluntourism Guidelines
May 30, 2017
With the support of the Planeterra Foundation, the International Voluntourism Guidelines for Commercial Tour Operators have been developed by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and an international advisory committee. The goal of this project is to develop a practical tool that will help international voluntourism providers plan and manage their programs in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Child Welfare and the Travel Industry
June 26, 2018
Child Welfare and the Travel Industry: Global Guidelines for Good Practice – Full Implementation Guide – This is the full length version of the Child Welfare Guidelines produced by ChildSafe Movement in partnership with Planeterra and G Adventures. It includes implementation tips, case examples, worksheets, resources, etc., that can be used by organizations to develop a robust policy and implementation plan.