About US

We Champion Community Tourism

Planeterra is a nonprofit organization advancing Community Tourism worldwide. We partner with communities and the tourism industry to create local opportunities, celebrate culture, and protect and regenerate nature. Together, we’re helping make tourism a force for stronger communities and healthier places.

Why Planeterra?

For more than two decades, we’ve worked alongside communities and the tourism industry to demonstrate how Community Tourism can create lasting local benefit. Today, our network spans 700+ community enterprises across 83 countries, helping shape a tourism industry where communities don’t simply participate; they have decision-making power.

Tourism Can Do Better

Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, yet the communities welcoming visitors often receive only a small share of its benefits. Women, young people, and Indigenous Peoples face particular barriers to participating on their own terms, limited access to markets, investment, training, and long-term support keeps many community-led initiatives from reaching their full potential.

We believe tourism should create opportunities with communities, not simply around them. Community Tourism offers a different model, one where communities lead, income stays local, culture is celebrated, and nature is protected. That’s the future we’re working to build.

How We Work

We champion Community Tourism through our three pillars.

We Uplift while strengthening community enterprises through training and funding.
We Connect communities with tourism markets.
We Grow by building community-led solutions for nature and climate.

How We Work

Who We Work With

Community Tourism starts locally.

We partner with community-led organizations already creating change, from Community Tourism enterprises and social enterprises to Indigenous organizations, cooperatives, and grassroots nonprofits, alongside travel companies and destination partners who help these experiences reach travellers.

Our Vision

A world where people create their own economic opportunities, places are protected, and cultures are celebrated through travel. By 2030, we’re working alongside partners across the tourism industry to help achieve:

50M

travellers experiencing community tourism

$1B

in tourism income reaching local communities

3.5M

lives improved through community tourism

Leadership

Our team works across regions and disciplines to strengthen Community Tourism around the world. From the field to behind the scenes, we bring local knowledge, tourism expertise, and a shared commitment to building stronger partnerships with communities and the travel industry.

Our Team

Trevor Chomumwe Planeterra Community Tourism Development Specialist, Africa

Evisi Kopliku - Planeterra Community Tourism Development Specialist, Europe

Changing Tourism for the Better

Community Tourism is changing tourism for the better, but it takes communities, travellers, businesses, destinations, and supporters working together. Whether you’re looking to travel differently, partner with communities, or support local initiatives, there’s a place for you.

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