2018
Social Impact Report
Index Who we are • How it works • Authenticitys in numbers • We put impact first • Our commitment, our mission, our vision • Our team • Authenticitys’ manifesto • Our Values • Challenges in Tourism • Travelling to make a Difference
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Social Impact Experiences • Ecosystems of Change: B corporation • Measuring Impact • Stories that Inspire • Impact measurement in Travel • Real Results: Real Value • Sustainable Development Goals • Join our travel experiences
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Explore different. Change travel. Social impact transformational experiences.
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Authenticitys How does it work?
A social impact experience is a 2-3 hour transformational tour that changes your perspective on the city as well as leaves the city better than you found it.
We are a boutique platform for social impact experiences in cities.
We are the first B Corporation accredited company in the tourism industry in Europe.
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Authenticitys in numbers
EUROPE: Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Bucharest, Vienna, Athens, London, Madrid, San Sebastiรกn
LATIN AMERICA: Bogota, Mexico City, Lima, Cartagena, Sao Paolo, Buenos Aires, San Pedro de Atacama, Medellin, Cali, Cuenca
+5K 2018
100+
Happy travellers
New Cities in 2018
50 +
200+
Partners
ASIA: New Delhi
experiences in 2019
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We put impact first All our experiences are run by non-profits or social organizations and throughout the experience you will be learning and interacting with the local communities and actively making the city you visit better. We believe tourism should be a catalyst for good. This is why every person, of every moment, of every trip matters.
Authenticitys is committed to: Our planet: all our experiences are Carbon Neutral or Negative (we collaborate to make our world greener). Diversity and equality: Over 65% of our experiences (including our company) are womenlead organizations.
We can make a difference, join us in our adventure of re-inventing travel! 5
OUR COMMITMENT To transform the way people travel by providing a way to connect with and support local initiatives which make our cities better, specifically in three dimensions: employment, education and environment.
OUR MISSION To create meaningful employment opportunities for the local communities through authentic city experiences, while providing experiential education to travelers and increasing environmental awareness.
OUR VISION A world where responsible travel generates meaningful and sustainable improvement in the life of local societies.
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Our team Elena Rodríguez Blanco CEO and Founder Passionate about social innovation, experiences design and education. Elena believes travel can be THE catalyst for transformation and social change. Helena Lopes Latin America Business Developer Using her professional experience in marketing and communications, Helena creates strong ties with Authenticity’s partners. Toni Ripoll i Roig Web developer and Tech Guru. Toni finds solutions to people’s problems using technology and his creativity. Cristina Castellanos Sales and Client Manager. Social media guru. Expert in communications, research and storytelling, Cristina pursues social impact through cultural interchange and traveling. Sandra Schoeber COO and experience curator Sandra addresses society’s problems through product and service innovation and design. 7
Authenticitys’ Manifesto
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Our Values Team WIN We work in diverse, multidisciplinary teams, where everybody can live their passion and create their own learning path to unleash their maximum potential. Experience Local Lima
Traveler WIN Our travelers begin their journey as one person and finish it as a different one. Our experiences provide them a meaningful understanding of the city they visit and its society.
Delicious Athens Food
Society WIN
Biking Invisible Barcelona
Every action, step and vision includes making our world better. We achieve this by carefully selecting and hosting experiences that are addressing our cities’ challenges through active solutions. 9
Why it is time to re-design travel: Challenges in tourism 01
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Repetitive “off-thebeaten-track� paths being sold or recommended massively end up not being unique at all.
Over tourism leads to large crowds gathering in popular sites, creating chaotic environments.
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Too many options, which makes it difficult to sort out which ones would provide us with the best experiences.
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Experiences offered by companies are not designed for who we are and don’t take into account our frame of mind.
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Tourism causing more harm than good.
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Travel can make a difference Our direct impact is focused on three main areas: Meaningful and sustainable employment, education of travelers, and environmental awareness. All our experience partners are local initiatives or organizations, thus employing people from local communities. We educate travelers through experiential learning by connecting them with the authentic local culture, people, food and diverse social
Bucharest from a Homeless Perspective
realities present in a city. When it comes to the environment, we work with partners who have environmental sustainability embedded into what they do and make an effort to select experiences that are carbon neutral. We select experiences that create awareness about environmental challenges and that provide an insightful view from those who are most affected by them.
Peruvian artisans from our experience in Lima
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We have joined the ecosystems of change
First travel company in Europe to become a certified B Corp
Authenticitys is a certified B Corporation. This means that our company, partners, and suppliers meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact.
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We measure our impact We design our experiences and the positive impact they create into six dimensions. Each dimension has its unique definition and we firmly believe that if each person takes action, change can happen across all dimensions. Our focus is thereby specifically on fostering education, improving employability and helping the world to move towards a more sustainable environment. Education
Employability
Environment
Creating awareness towards cultural interrelations, taking risks and having a profound knowledge of the world we live in.
Engaging in meaningful activities. Actively learning and impacting the lives of others. Dignity and Work. Access for all.
This is our world. It is unique and needs to be protected now. Living KM0 and plastic-free lifestyles. #zerowaste #stopgreenwashing
#travelisthebesteducation #educationabroad
#employabilityforall #engagingyouth
Happiness
Health
Freedom & Equality
Living life to the fullest and joyfully embracing all its adventures.
Being one with your body and soul. Making conscious decisions.
Respect for everyone. Creating the same opportunities for others..
#happinessjourney #connectinghappiness
#healthtraveler #travelfit
#equalityforeveryone #acceptance
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And our travellers leave transformed and inspired
Best Market In CARTAGENA
A Day In The Andes In CUENCA
#acceptance #educationabroad “This is a fun tour - off the beaten track of tourists…..We also loved that the tour does a lot of social good, since the proceeds go to support the community.” ---- Ana Jun 2018
#travelisthebesteducation
Experience The Contrast Of
SÃO PAULO Local LIMA In A Day #employabilityforall “….The visits to indigenous communities allowed for personal interaction with real people.” ---- Lucas Apr 2018
“….The experience itself is top-notch. Together we cooked a great meal and she explained not only how to make it but the history behind the foods” ----Sergie Apr 2018
#zerowaste. #happinessjourney “.... If you want to feel like you actually experienced Sao Paulo rather than just driving around looking at buildings for sure call them.” ---- Darmian Oct 2018
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Fisherman Experience In BARCELONETA
VIENNA From Street Art Tour A Homeless Perspective In BUCHAREST
#educationabroad #employabilityforall
“….And this tour gives you an insight of the industry from behind the scenes from a very knowledgeable host whose family has fished the waters for generations….” ---- Marry Mar 2018
E-Bike Through SAN SEBASTIAN
#engagingyouth “Lovely tour that gave us another perspective to living in Austria….” ---- John Aug 2018
“….I cannot recommend this tour enough. From history to architecture to off the beaten path places to visit.” ---- Alexis Sep 2018
Street Art In ATHENS
#educationabroad #stopgreenwashing #travelfit “I learned that there is way more to San Sebastián than the beach and pintxos ….“
“Amazing cultural insight of the city! The guide is an artist himself, so it was very interesting to listen to his point of view….” ---- Victoria Aug 2018
---- George Jul 2018
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We are leading the way in impact measurement in travel Education We believe education is a two way process. Participants learn from their guides and guides learn from the participants. In this regard, we believe experiential traveling is one of the most enriching ways to discover new horizons and learn from new cultures, while leaving a positive impression of ourselves at the same time. We make sure that every experience offered on our platform educates the traveler in sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality and the appreciation of cultural diversity. At the same time, some of our experiences contribute to the education of local communities. Our Experience / Delhi Crafts Market This experience will take you to Delhi’s most authentic markets and you are guided by a local woman in a field traditionally dominated by men. Whilst finding treasured handicrafts, you support women and encourage their independence and autonomy.
Invest in local economy Share cultural heritage stories Carbon-neutral
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Delhi Crafts Markets
What our travellers say... “This is so powerful, we loved it. Loved supporting women, having them show their city, their view its a great way to get the ‘market experience’ in such a hectic and wonderful place like Delhi with a little guidance, couldn’t recommend this enough!” - Christina “It is a journey that brings you closer to India in all its facets. It allows you to know your culture, traditions, philospophy, and people in a very close way. You can see with your own eyes the great impact they are making in diverse local communities. Thanks to you, India is now a very special country for me!” - Alberto -
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Employability We contribute to the goal of decent work improvement and economic growth through our dimension of employability. We ensure that all our experiences support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, and encourage the formalization and growth of small and medium sized enterprises. We do this with a special focus on youth employment, fair working conditions for both men and women, and equal pay for work of equal value. We believe we can achieve this through sustainable tourism that promotes local culture and products. Our Experience / Vienna from a homeless perspective This experience will take you through historical Vienna through the eyes of a homeless person. The guide will tell you about his/her personal story and will try to make you understand what it truly means to be homeless. In this way, you support guides both financially and emotionally.
Integrate homeless people into the labor market Share cultural and personal stories Raise social awareness Carbon-neutral
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Vienna from a homeless perspective experience
What our travellers say... “Charles was an incredibly humble and smart man who walked us through the social system’s structure. As an American it was fascinating hearing how Austria helps homeless people recover, it was something all countries should aspire to do.” Max and Tati “It’s unlike any other tour. Dennis opened my mind on how vulnerable and raw it is to be homeless. It’s a very compelling and informative tour. And one of the best decisions I made. Thank you, Dennis.” Deibby
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Environment The world is our home. Our objective is to expand social conscience on the environmental impact of travel, and actively engage in activities that contribute to making it better. We offer experiences where travelers can learn, know and deepen knowledge of the value of our resources and the full lifecycle of materials. Our tours are carbon-neutral and we consciously choose our partners making sure that they support local food and use local ingredients only. We support KM0 and plastic-free lifestyles. Our Experience / Paddle surf & beach clean Invest in local economy
This experience connects you with Barceloneta and its history while working with local NGOs that seek to keep the oceans pollution free.
Invest in initiatives that protect the ocean Educate about environmental threats
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Paddle Surf in Barceloneta
What our travellers say... “You can learn a lot about Barceloneta and its history. Such a great idea to combine a guided tour on the beach with an environmental purpose and sport. Clearning up the beach has something meditative. Would love that everybody could do this to get more conscious about pollution on the beach. Three very meaningful hours.” Yvonne “Thank you for your great work! I can see the problems of our sea very closely. We need people like you to raise awareness. Great!” Mamen 21
And we obtain real results that our travellers value 70% of the travellers highly recommend our experiences to other people Education measures +90%
+80%
100%
More than 90% of the travelers mention a learning process during the experience.
In more than 80% of the experiences, travelers learn about either culture, local people or hidden places.
All our experiences are carbon-neutral. We care about and foster environmental education.
Employability measures 100%
100%
+60%
All the people employed in the experiences are selected in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
All experiences offer a two-sided learning process, where all participants can grow and develop.
More than 60% of the travelers emphasize the high engagement of the guides within our experiences. 22
United Nations Sustainability Goals and their relationship with tourism The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals focus on climate change, economic inequality, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities UN World Tourism Organization is the United Nations’ agency supporting sustainable, responsible and accessible tourism. The organization promotes tourism as a mean to increase economic growth, environmental sustainability and inclusive development. UNWTO follows the SDGs to measure the impact of tourism towards a more sustainable planet and mainly target economic growth, responsible consumption and maritime ecosystems.
In Authenticitys, we match our impacts with the SDGs and support the actions of United Nations for a better planet
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And we match our impact to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals • Equal opportunities for women in the tourism industry. • Education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. • Safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
• Promote employment and equal pay independently from sex, gender and age. • Support social, economic, political inclusion irrespectively of economic status, religion and beliefs. • Create awareness for a sustainable and environmental-friendly lifestyle.
• Improve education and awareness-warning on climate change. • Reduce and prevent marine and coastal ecosystem pollution. • Promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
• Encourage exercise and a holistic, healthy lifestyle. • Eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. • Support the UN SDGs to create a better world through positive reinforcement. 24
Offering a large variety of activities
Nature & Relax
Culture & Arts
Music & Sounds
Action & Sports
Food & Drinks
Neighborhoods & Community
Fashion & Beauty
Workshops & Classes
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"As much as travel highlights our differences, it also highlights our similarities. Traveling around the world, I’ve found that the differences between cultures are minor and that, across the globe, PEOPLE ALL HAVE THE SAME HOPES AND DREAMS. We all want to be safe, happy, work, do what we love, be loved, and make sure our kids lead a better life than we did. Those ideals are not limited to one place or ideology. While we go about it differently, we are all after the same things in life. I think recognizing that will do wonders to help heal the world." @nomadicmatt
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TOP DESTINATIONS
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Authenticitys Experiences SL Copyright 2019
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