Dedicated to uplifting communities through tourism, non-profit Planeterra has released its 2024 Impact Report, demonstrating the immense power of travel to fuel local economies and preserve cultural traditions worldwide. The report reveals that communities earned almost $3 million ($2,896,802) from the non-profit’s travel company partners in 2024, directly benefiting over 30,000 people across 51 countries.
The report illustrates how community tourism isn’t just about visiting a destination, but about “creating meaningful, equitable encounters for everyone involved.”
It further highlights powerful data and inspiring stories from community tourism enterprises led by women, youth, and Indigenous communities, showcasing how these initiatives are meeting critical local goals – from boosting incomes and creating jobs to protecting the environment and celebrating unique cultural heritage.
Key highlights from the 2024 Impact Report include:
- Direct Economic Empowerment: Communities earned CAD $2,896,802 directly from Planeterra Travel Partners
- Widespread benefit: 30,694 people directly benefited from tourism through Planeterra-supported initiatives, with over 191,764 people receiving indirect benefits
- Traveller engagement: 133,340 travellers visited experiences supported by Planeterra’s travel company partners, indicating a strong demand for responsible and genuine travel
- Nature-positive investments: Bolstering climate and biodiversity, Planeterra and its partners have grown 2,650,000 trees, fostering a nature-positive community tourism approach
“This report isn’t just a collection of numbers; it’s a testament to the transformative power of community tourism,” says Jamie Sweeting, President of Planeterra. “It unequivocally shows that when travellers choose to engage with local communities, they’re not just taking a trip – they’re contributing to a more sustainable, equitable, and enriching future for all.”
The full 2024 Impact Report offers invaluable insights for travel companies, donors, media, and anyone interested in how tourism can be a powerful force for good. It can be downloaded at planeterra.org/impact/.
If this article was shared with you by a friend or colleague, you may enjoy receiving your own copy of Travel Industry Today with the latest travel news and reviews each weekday morning. It’s absolutely free – just CLICK HERE.