In an effort to provide travelers with an authentic travel experience, social business Backstreet Academy pairs people up with locals in the area, specifically disadvantaged cooks and craftspeople. The for-profit model works with non-governmental organizations across Asia, enabling natives to offer tours and classes as well.
In addition to offering authentic travel, Backstreet Academy focuses on democratizing travel in developing nations and empowering communities in South East Asia by giving an entry point to the tourism industry, which is typically dominated by travel agencies. The online platform asks such community members for culturally specific activities like fishing, boxing, weaving and knife-making. All these independent tours and activities are curated and tested by the Backstreet Academy team and are often executed with trained facilitators present (usually local students who speak English).
What's Driving This Trend
- Culturally Specific Travel
- There is an opportunity for travel companies to provide unique and authentic travel experiences by offering culturally specific activities and pairing travelers with locals in disadvantaged communities.
- Democratized Tourism
- Businesses can empower communities in developing nations by creating opportunities for entry into the tourism industry and providing an alternative to traditional travel agencies.
- Socially Responsible Tourism
- Travel companies can focus on providing responsible tourism experiences that benefit local communities and promote their cultural heritage.
Who This Affects Most
- Travel and Tourism
- Travel companies can disrupt the traditional tourism industry by focusing on culturally immersive travel and empowering local communities in developing nations.
- Social Enterprise
- Social enterprises can enter the tourism industry by creating platforms that connect travelers with local artisans and craftspeople, providing them with an entry point to the industry.
- Non-governmental Organizations
- NGOs can partner with travel companies to promote culturally specific tours and activities that benefit local communities and empower disadvantaged individuals.
