G Adventures has committed to creating 50 new social enterprise projects which will be integrated into its tours by 2020.
The tour operator, which made the announcement as it marked its 25th anniversary, said the ’50 in 5’ plan represented a significant step up in its work to help local communities where it operates group tours.
Over the operator’s 25 year history it has set up 25 such projects. By the end of 2020 this will reach 75 in more than 35 countries and more than 90% of its travellers will visit one or more of the projects on its tours.
Five new social enterprises have been announced for the end of this year in northern Thailand, Australia, Galapagos, and Colombia, and a Women on Wheels project to help disadvantaged women to become drivers to provide transfers for female travellers.
Founder Bruce Poon Tip said the operator had already started fundraising for the projects, which will cost Canadian $5 million. It has so far raised Canadian $600,000.
“It’s a big undertaking. The money will come from a combination of things, some from money when people book, some from grants we receive and donations from travellers,” he said.
“We want to create jobs and help the regions we travel through that are poor and don’t have access, for example, to medical supplies or water.”
The 50 projects are under development by G Adventures and its non-profit organisation Planeterra Foundation and will be known collectively as “G Adventures for Good” projects.
They are self-sustainable projects and by visiting the projects the G Adventures’ customer base will help ensure their survival, added Poon Tip.