Planeterra: Community tourism generated $3.3M for local enterprises in 2025

Planeterra says community tourism continued to deliver meaningful economic and social benefits to destinations around the world in 2025, generating millions of dollars in local revenue while supporting conservation, women's empowerment and community-led development.

The non-profit organization – founded by G Adventures' founder Bruce Poon Tip – has released its 2025 Impact Report, detailing how its global network of community tourism initiatives helped strengthen local enterprises, expand access to tourism markets and create new income opportunities for communities.

According to the report, Planeterra's work with travel companies, community organizations and donors helped generate CAD $3.32 million (US$2.38 million) in revenue for local communities through its travel partners last year.

The organization works with communities, worldwide, to strengthen locally-owned tourism enterprises by providing funding, training and connections to the global travel industry, with the goal of ensuring tourism delivers more equitable benefits to the destinations that host travellers.

Planeterra also reported:

• A network of 568 organizations participating in the Planeterra Community Tourism Network.
• 276 Community Tourism Enterprises connected with travel companies.
• 124,717 traveller visits to Community Tourism Enterprises.
• 254,941 people positively impacted through community tourism and climate initiatives.
• More than 2.06 million trees planted and growing through community-led climate and biodiversity projects.

Not a side story

Planeterra said the findings come as global tourism continues to rebound, but many of the communities that welcome visitors still struggle to capture a fair share of the industry's economic benefits.

“Tourism is a multi-trillion-dollar industry, yet many of the communities that make travel possible still do not fully benefit from it. Planeterra is working to change that,” said Jamie Sweeting, president of Planeterra, in a statement.

“Community Tourism is not a side story to travel. It is one of the ways communities are creating livelihoods, protecting culture and biodiversity, and shaping tourism in ways that reflect what matters most to them.”

Projects around the world

The report showcases projects from across Planeterra's international network.

In Ecuador, Quichua Native Travel works with Kichwa communities to offer locally led cultural experiences, with tourism revenue supporting women-led businesses, household incomes, school supplies and community infrastructure.

In Rwanda, the Nyamirambo Women's Center uses tourism to generate income for women while funding skills development programs and access to health coverage.

Meanwhile, in Greece, Naxos Wildlife Protection combines visitor experiences with wildlife education, using tourism revenue to support sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

In Vietnam, support from the Planeterra Community Tourism Fund enabled Catalyst for Change Vietnam to launch Her Kitchen: Wellness Culinary Journeys, creating employment opportunities for single mothers through culinary tourism, business training and mentorship.

The report also highlights the growing role of community tourism in environmental stewardship.

Planeterra said its climate and biodiversity initiatives contributed to more than two million trees being planted and growing in 2025, while helping communities protect local ecosystems and develop sustainable livelihoods.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.