In Focus Program Urban Adventures
Information Booklet for new In Focus Partners.
Hi! This document outlines important things to know about joining our award-winning Urban Adventures In Focus program as a social enterprise, NGO or non-profit experience provider.
On the following pages, you’ll learn:
✓ What is the In Focus program?
✓ Why do we run it and what’s in it for you?
✓ How does it work & what experiences do we offer?
✓ Who can partner with us and how to join?
What is In Focus program? 'In Focus' tours are one-day experiences run in partnership with local social enterprises, non-profits and NGOs, highlighting grassroots projects supporting local communities.
In Focus experiences create all-win outcomes in line with the values of Urban Adventures and Intrepid Group.
What is In Focus program? For experience suppliers it delivers a revenue stream, organises donor visits in a simple single place and method, amplifies the organisation’s message, allows for global networking and introduces new donors/supporters.
And of course, the customer/traveller has an amazing, unique, local experience.
Why do we do it and what’s in it for you?
Why we do it? At Urban Adventures, we have always believed in the importance of sustainable tourism and our mandate has long been to offer day tours with a difference.
We bypass the tourist traps and take travellers into local communities…
Why we do it? We work with independent businesses and local entrepreneurs to ensure money stays within the local economy.
We duck down hidden back alleys and into tuckedaway shops to get the real sense of a place and the people who live there.
But still, we always knew we could do more.
Why we do it? In 2015, we launched 'In Focus' tours and worked to grow this line-up from just a handful of experiences into 30 responsible tours benefitting 23 dierent local organisations.
These experiences vary in each destination, but in every instance, they bring travellers face-to-face with a local issue and a program designed to address that issue.
Why we do it? For the traveller:
Our aim is to change the way people see the world by introducing them to passionate locals with incredible stories and experiences to share.
Why we do it? For our experience provider:
We aim to create a quickly profitable and sustainable local experience that is a revenue centre in their organisation and a way to connect with new and existing supporters, donors and advocates.
Benefit for your organisation Organisations we work with enjoy the following benefits from the In Focus program:
✓ additional revenue stream
✓ increased exposure
✓ new channels to amplify organisation’s message
✓ organised donor visits
✓ introduction to new donors and supporters
✓ access to global network of like-minded people
How does it work and what experiences do we oer?
How it works? What we oer at Urban Adventures is a complete end-to-end solution of distribution, systems, technology, knowledge, marketing, support, network and a recognised brand all posted towards delivering sales and revenue for your enterprise through a tour experience.
Urban Adventures does not earn a profit o these tours — all money from tour sales is directed back into the local project.
In Focus Experiences Think of the most inspiring story you’ve ever heard. Maybe it was a great TEDx talk, maybe it was an emotional blog post, maybe it was something that a friend of a friend shared with you, but that you never, ever forgot.
Now imagine witnessing that story in real life. Hearing about it firsthand from those living it. Having the chance to ask questions and to see, smell, hear, and even taste the tale. To not just listen to it, but to become a part of it.
This is what In Focus is all about.
In Focus Experiences The UA Product test:
The base of any In Focus tour is an inspiring story of a project or enterprise told via an experience.
All the experiences we offer are built based on these five concepts we call FLAVOR.
In Focus tours aren’t lectures! When planning an experience, think about the 5 senses.
Don’t forget about the environment around you. The customer should gain deeper insight info the place and community.
>> Tell us your story and we’ll help you design an experience that fits UA promise!
In Focus Experiences Each and every experience needs to contribute to at least one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
*
Most popular issues (11 - more popular among metropolises, 1, 8 - in developing cities)
In Focus Experiences There are three types of In Focus Experiences, and three ways we work with In Focus partners: In Focus Complete
In Focus Supported
In Focus Contracted
From the point of arrival to departure, In Focus tour is managed fully by
an In Focus partner.
In Focus partner is responsible for the tour’s content.
In Focus partner is contracted for only one part of a bigger itinerary (a stop on the way).
There is no UAP involvement
during a tour.
Typically, for In Focus partners with a previous experience working with guests & tourists.
UAP for the transfer to/ from the meeting point, and additional services if necessary (e.g. translation, guiding).
Typically, for In focus partners located outside the city.
*UAP - Urban Advnenture’s Partner in the destination (for regular tours)
UAP manages a tour from the beginning till the end.
Typically, when In Focus experience is very niche or too short to build a complete tour around it.
In Focus Experiences Examples Pollinate Energy, Kolkata Pollinate Energy is a social enterprise bringing solar lighting into the slums of India.
• Visit to a company office to hear about the • • •
origins and mission of the business.
Visit to a local restaurant with office staff to discuss the process and success of the program over a meal (informal Q&A).
Meet a Pollinator (Solar Lamp Sales person) and go with them by tuk tuk on their sales run into the slum.
Meet a customer in her home for chai to hear about how the solar lamp has transformed her family life and conditions.
In Focus Experiences Examples Parada Foundation, Bucharest Parada Foundation is an NGO that supports homeless children, youth, and families through its social and educational services.
• Take a tour around the historic part of • •
Bucharest and its old town with a formerly homeless local as your guide
Meet Sergiu and listen to his story of getting out of drug addiction and homelessness
Finish the tour at the Parada Foundation headquarters
In Focus Experiences Examples Seven Women, Kathmandu Seven Women is a not-for-profit organisation, empowering marginalised and disabled women in Nepal through skill-building and training.
• Visit Seven Women headquarters to get to • • •
know the organisation’s story.
Meet the women and and learn how the organisation helped them.
Go on a tour through their local greenhouse, and learn about local produce and greenhouse farming.
Cook some delicious Nepalese traditional dishes, guided by one of the local women.
In Focus Experiences Examples For more In Focus exemples, visit: https://www.urbanadventures.com/in-focus
In Focus Business Model The essence of the business model is built into the method of the pricing of the itinerary. The first customer covers all the costs. Every subsequent customer delivers profit. UA does not make profit with In the Focus Program.
Who do we partner with and how to join?
Who can join? At the heart of everything we do are our brand values.
This is how we demonstrate our culture - they embody everything we do.
Urban Adventures people and partners are PERFKT.
We are looking for partners who can relate to and represent our values.
Who can join? To apply for the In Focus program, your organisation must meet the following criteria:
Be a verified NGO, non-profit or social enterprise
Have been successfully operating for a minimum of one year
Have transparent financial reporting
Have capacity to dedicate staff to managing In Focus tours
Be ready to accept small groups on a daily basis
*No previous experience with tourism is necessary.
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
We are looking for inspiring stories to tell in-situ by the changemakers themselves.
We do not offer any experiences that involve children, as part of our global policy.
Who can join? Examples Here’s a list of some of our partners:
Priority destinations 2018 We are particularly interested in partners in the following cities
but we are also open to organisations from around the world. ASIA, AUSTRALIA & PACIFIC Australia - Sydney
Cambodia - Siem Reap
Cambodia - Phnom Penh
China - Beijing
India - Delhi
Indonesia - Bali
Japan - Kyoto
Japan - Tokyo
Hong Kong - Hong Kong
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
Myanmar (Burma) - Yangon
Singapore - Singapore
Vietnam - Hanoi
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam - Hoi An
AMERICAS Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
Costa Rica - San Jose
Canada - Toronto
Cuba - Havana
Ecuador - Quito
Mexico - Mexico City
Peru - Lima
USA - Los Angeles
USA - New York
USA - San Francisco
USA - Washington, D.C.
AFRICA Egypt - Cairo
Morocco - Marrakech EUROPE Czech Republic - Prague
France - Paris
Greece - Athens
Hungary - Budapest
Italy - Rome
Portugal - Lisbon
Spain - Barcelona
Spain - Madrid
UK - London
How to join? Step 1: Submit your application Tell us your story and why you want to join the In Focus program by filling out this application: http://bit.ly/in-focus-application
Step 2: Get interviewed If your organisation meets our basic criteria, we will get in touch with you to schedule a follow-up interview.
Step 3: Get trained All selected organisations will have to complete an online training program. Dates to be agreed on with the organisation.
Step 4: Submit your products & receive your first guests! We’ll help you design your experience and publish it across our distribution channels.
Questions? If you have any questions about the In Focus program, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Anula Galewska Responsible Business Manager
anula@urbanadventures.com
Useful links:
https://www.urbanadventures.com/in-focus
https://www.urbanadventures.com/impact-2017/