Embracing purpose and community: Top community tourism holidays for 2024

Community tourism is on the rise, with over half (55%)1 of gen z and millennial travellers agreeing that preserving natural and cultural heritage is a top priority. Travellers are actively seeking local connections that breathe life into the destinations they visit, supporting the economies and communities of the countries they explore and educating themselves on the lives of others.

In fact, Booking.com reports that that 75% of travellers now seek authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture.

Touring operators such as Travelsphere and Just You have been working with Planeterra since 2019, the world’s leading non-governmental organisation turning travel into impact in global communities by helping local projects and social enterprises earn an income from tourism. Below are eight examples of the community-led programmes that aim to make a positive impact in 2024.

Beit Khayrat Souf – Jordan’s Ancient Wonders and Jordan: A land of Ancient Treasures and Empires from Just You and Travelsphere  

 Beit Khayrat Souf is a women-owned and managed café in Souf, started with the purpose of combating women’s unemployment and building a strong community of women leaders. This café was the dream of Sumia, a Jordanian woman who took out a personal loan, bearing the risk with the hope of empowering more women for years to come. 

With 25 women currently employed by Beit Khayrat, the café allows guests to immerse themselves in Jordanian culture and cookery. During the Jordan's Ancient Wonders tour with Travelsphere travellers and Jordan: A land of Ancient Treasures and Empires with Just You, guests will help to inspire more Jordanian women to find employment and empowerment - whilst also supporting a launch pad for youths to volunteer and immerse themselves in other cultures too. 

 Planeterra’s work with Travelsphere, Just You and other partners has allowed Beit Khayrat Souf to become profitable and grow their impact. 

• Tours from £2199 pp departing April 2024 
• More information on Jordan’s Ancient Wonders from Travelsphere here and Jordan – A Land of Ancient Treasures and Empires from Just You here  

Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico – Mexico: A Mexican Adventure from Just You 

 This newly formed cooperative was founded by 13 women who want to preserve the Zapotec culture and the cherished artisanal process of creating alebrijes, Mexican folk art sculptures. Alebrijes hold significant importance in Oaxacan culture, and their preservation from one generation to the next is crucial. 

 The increase in production of unofficial replicas has eaten into the income of true artisans, but Zoologico Mágico with tourism operators like Just You, the cooperative can continue to share the rich Zapoteca culture and the fascinating art of alebrijes with the wider world. This additional revenue stream has significantly boosted the income and overall growth of the community in a project which now positively impacts 18 women and youths. 

• Tours from £4449pp departing November 2024 
• More information on A Mexican Adventure from Just You here  

Mi Cafecito coffee tour – Costa Rica: The Best of Costa Rica from Travelsphere  

In 2009, San Miguel de Sarapiqui in Costa Rica was affected by a massive earthquake. The collapse of the main road left the community with no access to services or customers for several years. As a result, they were unable to access the opportunities that other regions were receiving from the growth of the tourism industry in Costa Rica.  

In 2011, the Coopesarapiqui cooperative established the Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour to try to find ways for the coffee producers to earn more money how they did not receive enough visitors to sustain the business and were at the point of shutting down. 

Planeterra worked with a small community coffee cooperative to develop the Mi Cafecito program, which includes a meal experience at their on-site restaurant, and other related tourism services in San Miguel de Sarapiqui. Mi Cafecito is now a successful tourism and agriculture co-op which has created many employment opportunities for members of the community.

• Tours from £3649 pp departing February 2024 
• More information and The Best of Costa Rica from Travelsphere here 

Oodles of Noodles – Vietnam: Invitation to Vietnam & the Temples of Angkor from Travelsphere  

When guests book an Invitation to Vietnam & the Temples of Angkor tour from Travelsphere, they are helping to support the Oodles of Noodles project, a social enterprise which helps at-risk youngsters.  

Created by STREETS International, Oodles of Noodles offers a professional-level hospitality and culinary training program for adolescents, empowering them to practice skills such as English language proficiency and presentation, critical for success in the hospitality industry. As a result, many of the project’s participants have gone on to work at large five-star hotels in neighbouring cities.  

• Tours from £36249 pp departing February 2024
• More information on Invitation to Vietnam & the Temples of Angkor from Travelsphere here  

Sthree café – Highlights from Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean from Travelsphere and Just You

The Sthree Café in Kandy works with women in the local community to increase their income, strengthen their financial independence, and help them become economically empowered. The Sthree Café employs local women, providing them with a fair wage and the skills and training needed to work in the service sector. The café serves fresh, locally sourced, seasonal vegetarian cuisine and provides a traditional Sri Lankan dining experience.  

Guests that book the Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour with Travelsphere or Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean with Just You are also helping to donate vital supplies to a school in Nuwara Eliya, which will be visited during the tour. 

• Tours from £2849 pp departing from March 2024 
• More information on Highlights of Sri Lanka with Travelsphere here  
• More information on Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean with Just You here

Navajo Taco Food Truck – US: Epic Wonders of the National Parks and National Parks, Mount Rushmore and Little Big Horn from Travelsphere and Just You

When travellers book the Epic Wonders of The National Parks US tour from Travelsphere or National Parks, Mount Rushmore and Little Big Horn from Just You, they are supporting the Planeterra and DinéHózhó project ‘Native Grill’ - a food truck run by a local Navajo family, which they will visit. DinéHózhó aims to provide economic opportunities to communities in Navajo Nation Indigenous-owned businesses connecting them to the tourist industry.

• Tours from £3849 pp departing from May 2024 
• More information on Epic Wonders of the National Parks with Travelsphere here 
• More information on National Parks, Mount Rushmore and Little Big Horn with Just You here

The Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op – Epic Peru and Highlights of Peru from Travelsphere and Just You

Ccaccaccollo is an Indigenous community located in the Andean area of Cuzco, Peru. It is inhabited primarily by 140 Quechua-speaking families who maintain a traditional way of life, with many involved in agriculture. To preserve their rich cultural heritage and earn additional income, the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op was established.

The Co-op supports a community close to the Inca Trail, funding training programmes to help bring back weaving traditions that have been lost over generations, and helping communities benefit from the tourism industry. Through their efforts, they are reviving the lost weaving traditions of previous generations. 

• Tours from £4149 pp departing from May 2024
• More information on Epic Peru from Travelsphere here
• More information on Highlights of Peru from Just You here

Salaam Baalak Trust Delhi: Grand Tour of India with Travelsphere  

India is home to the highest concentration of street children in the world, with over 18 million children living on the streets. 

Planeterra partnered with the Salaam Baalak Trust, an organisation that offers safe housing, counselling, education, and support to over 5,000 children in New Delhi to create their City Walk program: a unique guided tour of Paharganj, in central Delhi, led by some of the children of Salaam Baalak, offering a unique insight into the city. 

This additional source of income allows the organisation to empower more youths, offering them a chance to lead a life of dignity and acquire essential skills for their future. The trust manages five safe homes across the city and help at risk youth learn new skills, and receive support for scholarships, job placements, and other resources. 

• Tours from £3899 pp departing from February 2024. More information on Grand Tour of India with Travelsphere here

ENDS

1. Data taken from Virtuoso – Luxury Talks by excellence Group – The Future of Luxury Travel 2023 report: https://www.virtuoso.com/getmedia/0e0ee101-7ccc-4fed-b360-2328959864b2/Virtuoso-Luxury-Talks-By-%20exELLENce-Group_The-Future-of-Luxury-Travel-2023_FINAL.aspx

Ends

Editors notes

About Travelsphere and Just You

Travelsphere has been discovering the world with its customers for nearly 60 years whilst Just You is one of the original dedicated solo operators. Their parent company G Touring is built on the mission of “Changing People’s Lives Through Travel”.

Leading the way in guided touring holidays, Travelsphere takes its customers all over the world and is centred around the customers’ shared experiences. Just You’s collection of worldwide guided touring holidays has been designed exclusively for solo travellers. From short breaks to epic journeys, customers travelling with Just You discover fascinating cities, spectacular scenery, and fabulous sightseeing in the company of other solo travellers. 

Travelsphere Cares and Just You Cares operate in partnership with Planeterra, the world’s leading non-governmental organisation turning travel into impact in communities around the globe.