'Onwards Travel' is a non-profit company that uses tourist dollars to support community development. While international tourism can be extremely damaging for some communities, this organization provides a more ethical way for travelers to visit remote locales.
Onwards Travel was founded by Jacob Taddy after he observed how youth-led tours transformed a small agricultural town in the Dominican Republic. Taddy started Onwards Travel as a way of accelerating tourism-led growth in different communities. The company helps to bolster local economies by providing a steady stream of tourists that help support local business. Beyond bringing in tourists, Onwards Travel also provides microfinance loans, business training and professional development for local entrepreneurs.
The company offers a more ethical way to travel by using tourist dollars to support local economies rather than multinational hospitality chains.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Community-supporting Tours
- Tour companies that prioritize community support over profits are becoming more popular.
- Ethical Tourism
- As travelers become more aware of the negative impact of tourism on local communities, they are seeking out more ethical ways to travel.
- Tourism-led Development
- Communities are looking to tourism as a way to boost their local economies and provide sustainable growth.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Tourism
- Tourism companies have an opportunity to capitalize on the trend towards more community-focused and ethical travel options.
- Community Development
- Organizations focused on community development can explore partnerships with tourist companies to bring in revenue and bolster local economies.
- Microfinance
- Microfinance organizations can leverage their expertise to support local entrepreneurs in tourist destinations and create sustainable business growth.
