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G ADVENTURES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY TOURISM
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50 February 2020 Tourism India W ith a strong focus on helping the nature the first five projects is announced in ‘Project 100’ community tourism initiative. G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra have announced the same which is a commitment to have 100 projects built into G Adventures tours by the end of 2020. The five new projects bring the total number of Planeterra projects built into G Adventures tours to 80, will be launched between January and March this year. Each year, more than 100,000 travellers visit Planeterra projects, impacting the lives of 60,000 local people. well as a ‘green corridor’ in Madagascar where they will plant trees in an area that has been heavily impacted by deforestation.
Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, believes that travel has the potential to help change the world, and says the company’s Project 100 initiative emphasizes the company’s mission to change people’s lives through travel. “It’s our goal for 90% of G Adventures’ smallgroup trips to visit a community tourism project that supports women and children, and Indigenous culture. Now more than ever we’re also looking at projects that empower local communities to protect their local environment at the same time”.
All their projects are selected according to the biggest benefit to the community resulting from traveller numbers, particularly where women, youth and Indigenous people have been disadvantaged by a lack of access to education, jobs and income opportunities. The first five Project 100 projects are Dqae Qare San Lodge - D’Kar, Botswana, Reef Ecologic - Whitsundays, Australia, Soa Zara - Ranohira, Madagascar, Libaran Island - Borneo, Malaysia, Libaran Island - Borneo, Malaysia and Mesilou Home Stay - Borneo,
Mr. Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, believes that travel has the potential to help change the world and the new projects have a strong focus on people as well as the environment
The new projects have a strong focus on people as well as the environment and include support of a new coral garden where travellers can snorkel in the Whitsundays, as
The new projects have a strong focus on people as well as the environment and include support of a new coral garden where travellers can snorkel in the Whitsundays, as well as a ‘green corridor’ in Madagascar where they will plant trees in an area that has been heavily impacted by deforestation.
Malaysia. Dqae Qare San Lodge - D’Kar
The Indigenous San of Southern Africa are a marginalized group of people who are often excluded from the formal economy, and under constant threat from oppression that seeks to diminish cultural heritage. Dqae Qare San Lodge, a wildlife area, lodge, and campsite, offers full-time employment to 12 staff members and part-time work to 40 individuals who help deliver cultural activities at the lodge. Planeterra funded improvements to facilities and connected the lodge and campsite with a steady stream of travellers from G Adventures, ensuring regular revenue for the lodge and its employees, as well as funding for community projects.
Reef Ecologic - Whitsundays, Australia
Tropical Cyclone Debbie swept through the Whitsundays in Queensland devastating marine eco systems, and impacting tourism as the number of tourists visiting dwindled. Planeterra partnered with Reef Ecologic to integrate their reef restoration programs into tourism experiences, and sponsored the development of a new coral garden.
Soa Zara - Ranohira, Madagascar – Madagascar is home to an abundance of plants and animals, due to destruction by humans the island has lost 90% of its original forests, which have been cleared to make way for agriculture and used for fuel. G Adventures travellers staying at the nearby lodge plant trees during their visit in the “green corridor” next to Isalo National Park and learn about the reforestation project. Planeterra is further supporting the local organization’s efforts via a water conservation program. Libaran Island-Borneo, Malaysia
The island is an endangered sea turtle nesting site and the project is expected to help locals increase their ability to earn an income via the development of a new community micro-enterprise tour, where travellers will learn about the local Libaran people, observe how souvenirs and other items like traditional fishing nets are made, and have the chance to try local snacks.
Mesilou Home Stay - Borneo, Malaysia
Mesilou Atamis Homestay wish to share their unique culture with international visitors and increase their income from cultural immersion activities like fishing, farming, and cooking for travellers with the revival of their homestay program. With help from Planeterra, they received the necessary training to improve their homestay operation and to create new tourism activities.
