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Written by Zoë Woods Women are using technology to connect, communicate, and proudly embrace their diverse cultural heritage. In today's digital age, Internet platforms offer a vibrant space for women to share their inspiring narratives with the world and display their traditional arts and crafts. In community tourism, technology acts as a catalyst for women's empowerment, opening doors to economic and social success. Women are harnessing the power of technology to bridge divides, encourage inclusion, and honour their cultural heritage through the harmonious integration of tradition and innovation. Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico San Martin de Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico Keeping Cultural Heritage Safe Digital platforms have opened up new avenues for communities to showcase their rich cultural tapestry. From websites and social media to virtual reality experiences, these platforms attract tourists in search of authentic encounters. Women play a pivotal role in curating these digital offerings, serving as the custodians of cultural heritage and ensuring that their traditions are appropriately portrayed and preserved. In addition, women are creating spaces that foster intercultural dialogue. Through online forums, storytelling platforms, and video conferencing, women from diverse cultures come together to interact, exchange ideas, and collaborate on community tourism initiatives. These virtual connections not only facilitate cross-cultural bonds but also promote mutual understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Developing Women's Digital Literacy Women who possess digital literacy skills are better equipped to navigate the modern landscape and drive meaningful change. Recognizing the importance of empowering women in rural areas and assisting them in utilizing technology for their economic and social growth, several organizations and projects have emerged to provide training and resources. provide training and resources. Through digital literacy programs, women gain essential skills such as internet marketing, e-commerce, and social media management, allowing them to showcase their community tourism projects to a wider audience. Aside from teaching technical skills, these programs often equip women with the tools they need to excel in leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial management. Women take on leadership roles in their communities, taking charge of tourism initiatives, planning events, and encouraging community cooperation. Technology, a Bridge to Economic Opportunities Technology acts as a bridge, opening up new revenue streams and connecting women engaged in community tourism to a broader market. With the rise of internet platforms such as marketplaces and booking sites, women now have the ability to market and sell their local tourism services to customers worldwide. By cutting out intermediaries, this direct link enables women to maximize their earnings, contribute to their communities, and improve their quality of life Moreover, women are using technology to diversify their sources of income. Through online marketplaces, they can showcase and promote genuine handicrafts, locally sourced products, and unique experiences. By doing so, they not only preserve traditional crafts but also generate income and establish sustainable livelihoods for themselves and fellow community members. Technology enables women to reach customers beyond their local markets and transform their community tourism enterprises into thriving ventures. Overcoming Obstacles Despite the tremendous benefits provided by technology, women working in community tourism still face various challenges. Limited access, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural constraints can hinder women [...]

Tinkuy Community Tourism Cuyo Chico community - Sacred Valley -Cusco, Peru Impact Tinkuy is yet another example of the power of community and perseverance. The 12 families who came together to establish Tinkuy have worked together for years on the shared vision of recovering their traditional practices and ceramics while being able to earn an income locally in order to support their families. Not only are they now able to do so, but they have also dedicated their efforts to helping the wider community through supporting clean-up campaigns and improving access roads, benefitting other farmers and artisans in the Cuyo Chico community. 32 people directly impacted 85 families indirectly impacted . Critical Need The community of Cuyo Chico was once renowned for its ceramic handicrafts, but the emergence of plastic and other inexpensive materials posed a significant threat to the livelihoods of those engaged in the creation and sale of traditional ceramic crafts. As the demand for their art declined, community members found it increasingly difficult to earn a sustainable income and support their families. To counter the loss of this cherished tradition and provide economic opportunities for its community members, the Ricchariy Association of Cuyo Chico took action. In a collaborative effort, 12 families came together to establish Tinkuy, a local enterprise dedicated to revitalizing their customs and traditions. By creating Tinkuy, the community aimed to offer culturally significant income opportunities, especially for women who had to forgo the care of their families and farmland in search of work outside the community. Our Involvement The Tinkuy Community Tourism Enterprise, owned by the Ricchary Association of Cuyo Chico, was established in 2009 with the aim of promoting tourism activities. But despite their efforts, they faced challenges in gaining traction in the market. To address this, Planeterra implemented capacity-building programs, developed and improved the facilities and purchased equipment for the association. Planeterra supported them with new cultural experiences that would be more accessible to travelers while also maintaining their traditional pottery and gastronomy.  By helping improve the experience, Planeterra was also able to connect Tinkuy to the global market through our travel partners. . Related projects View all projects > Shandia LodgeJukil Community Lodge View all projects >

Our Global Climate & Biodiversity Initiative . Why is it important? Biodiversity is essential for life on Earth. Without it, we would lack the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we rely on. Moreover, without biodiversity, tourism simply would not exist and communities around the world would not be able to harness its benefits. Sadly, biodiversity is under threat. Climate change intensifies this threat, putting our collective well-being at risk. At Planeterra, we remain optimistic and believe that community tourism can be a powerful tool to help address the climate and biodiversity crisis. “The environment is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share. It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become" -Claudia Alta Johnson (Lady Bird Johnson) What are we doing? Over the years, we have seen many of our community partners use their tourism enterprises to support the protection, restoration, and management of their environment. So we know it’s possible! We want to continue empowering communities to shape their futures. Working on projects to help more communities implement solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis through tourism, Planeterra’s Global Climate & Biodiversity Initiative is based on four pathways: RegenerateSupport projects that regenerate biodiversity and protect Ecosystems, while directly benefiting communities. EducateProvide accessible and inclusive knowledge to our community partners so that they have access to solutions that can tackle the crisis. CollaborateWork with strategic partners who are taking climate action and actively delivering nature-positive solutions on the ground. InnovateSupport communities to develop new and existing climate and biodiversity crisis solutions, which can be integrated into their community tourism enterprise strategy. Growing Trees to Uplift Communities Our Tree-growing Program Trees are the lungs of our planet, providing us with clean air to breathe. But their importance goes beyond that. Trees play a vital role in restoring our planet and addressing some of the world's most pressing issues, including climate change, deforestation, and poverty. As a part of our Global Climate and Biodiversity Initiative, Planeterra launched its Tree-Growing program in 2023. Our mission with this initiative is simple yet powerful: “Growing Trees to Uplift Communities”.  We work hand-in-hand with organizations representing local communities to ensure their active participation in every aspect of the project, from planning to implementation and monitoring.  Click here to learn more about this program. Global Forest Generation Peru The Glasgow Declaration As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, Planeterra commits to: Support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050; Deliver climate action plans within 12 months of becoming a signatory (or updating existing plans), and begin implementing them; Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism; Report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken; Work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage additional organizations to become signatories and [...]

Written by Serena Hejazi Deep in the Andes Mountains of Peru lies the village of Ccaccaccollo, home to a group of Indigenous women who have found empowerment through tourism. The women of Ccaccaccollo belong to a Quechua community, which has lived in the Andes for thousands of years. They are skilled weavers, creating beautiful textiles using the traditional techniques passed down through generations. Despite their rich cultural heritage, many of these women have struggled with poverty, lack of education, and discrimination. Until recently, the market for their products was limited, and they struggled to earn a decent living. In the early 2000s, a group of local women with the help of Planeterra formed the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op to promote their work and improve their economic prospects.  The cooperative called “Awamaki” which means “handmade” in Quechua, also provides training and support for other indigenous women to develop their skills, market their products, and manage their finances: it’s all about women supporting other women!  Tourism has been a game-changer for the women of Ccaccaccollo. The village has become a popular destination for tourists seeking an authentic Andean experience. Visitors can learn about the Quechua culture, watch the women weave their textiles, and even participate in traditional ceremonies and of course you can also purchase their products. . It’s safe to say that the women of Ccaccaccollo have been able to improve their economic situation and they now have a stable source of income and can provide for their families thanks to tourism.  They have also gained a sense of pride in their cultural heritage, which they are now able to share with visitors from around the world. But tourism has not only helped the women of Ccaccaccollo economically, it has also helped to preserve their traditional way of life. The women have been able to continue weaving using the traditional techniques and materials, which have been passed down through generations.  They have also been able to maintain their language and culture, passing it on to their children and grandchildren. The success of the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Association is an inspiring example of how tourism can be a force for good in indigenous communities. By providing a market for traditional products and cultural experiences, tourism had a positive impact in the lives of dozens of people.  If you are planning a trip to Peru, consider visiting Ccaccaccollo and supporting the women of Awamaki. You can purchase their beautiful textiles and learn about their rich cultural heritage. By doing so, you will not only have a unique travel experience but also make a positive impact on the lives of these remarkable women. About the author: Serena Hejazi is a passionate traveler and the author of Sere Travels, a blog that focuses on sustainable tourism. Visit http://seretravels.com/ to learn more about Serena's travels. 

Funtasia Luxor, Egypt Impact Funtasia is a local non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on developing life skills and social consciousness among young people in the West Bank of Luxor. It has been active in Egypt since 2014, training adults, school teachers, and educators across the country in the Funtasia educational approach, both online and in person. Their youth strengthening and life skills programs revolve around health, emotion management, coding, art, and football.  As part of their efforts, Funtasia developed an afterschool program that teaches art, communication, and social skills to youth, with the aim of contributing to the development of stellar citizens. It particularly focuses on providing high school graduates in their gap year(s) before college with capacity building, income, and exposure to working in the tourism sector. The youth in the villages around the Valley of the Kings lead a bike tour experience which also helps to reduce traffic congestion, improving air quality and providing youth and travellers with an authentic experience of local communities in Luxor.   Funtasia is not only providing a valuable service but also contributing to broader social and environmental goals. 200 community members 1000 households . Critical Need Funtasia believes that every young person deserves a chance to thrive and succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances, and they are committed to making a positive impact in their community. However, to ensure the success of this project and to continue creating an impact within the local community, Funtasia needed financial support to purchase equipment for their tours and secure a steady flow of income through tourism. Our Involvement Planeterra provided funding to Funtasia so they can complete their bike experience and purchase initial supplies such as refreshments and helmets, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of guests. Planeterra also provided a market connection opportunity which facilitated a steady customer base for their bike tours in the West Bank of Luxor. Now, local youth guides get to share their unique perspectives on the area's history and everyday life experiences of the local communities. Moreover, through the Planeterra Global Community Tourism Network, Funtasia has access to valuable networking opportunities, learning materials, and continued mentorship from Planeterra team members. . Related projects View all projects >

Planeterra funded the purchase of a house for the Cuzco Youth Drop-in Center, Inti Runakunaq Wasin, also known as “The House of Children of the Sun”, providing children and youth with various educational training, workshops, and programs focused on occupation and income generation, enabling them to thrive and prosper

G Adventures held the first Ignite the Night event as a fundraiser in honour of Planeterra. The event was a huge success!

Planeterra worked with New Hope Outreach Centre to build a training restaurant to support young Khmers living just outside of Siem Reap

City Walk is a youth-led walking tour that provides a different perspective on Delhi while giving youth the opportunity to gain new skills