social enterprise travel

You are here: Home » Sustainable Travel » How to Use Social Enterprises to Improve Your Travels…and Make a Difference

How to Use Social Enterprises to Improve Your Travels…and Make a Difference

Last Updated on November 12, 2022 by Audrey Scott

If you’re looking for more meaningful travel interactions and are interested in giving something back as you travel, it’s important to understand the concept of social enterprise — what is it, how it works with local communities, and where to find it in the travel industry.

When we told friends last month that we would visit social enterprises in Peru which intersected with the travel industry, we could read in their reactions both affirmation and confusion.

“ Social enterprise…hmmm, that sounds cool. But what does that really mean? And what does it have to do with travel? ”

Similarly, I recently suggested to clients in Kyrgyzstan that the regional DMO (Destination Management Organization) operating models Audrey and I helped them set up — tourist office-agencies which developed the local tourism sector while earning money from its local tours and services to sustain operations — resembled a social enterprise. We considered this a strength.

“ Social enterprise…what’s that? ” They asked. “ And how do we do it? ”

Before we answer those questions, a step back as to why this matters – to those of us who travel, to the local communities we visit, and to the world as a whole.

Note: This article was originally published June 12, 2018 and updated on April 3, 2019.

Table of Contents

Overtourism vs. Community-Based Tourism: The Opportunity Landscape

We’ve all seen headlines about 1.2+ billion tourists and the potential environmental, cultural and economic havoc overtourism can wreak on the places we visit. Not to mention, the negative impact on the destination and experiences that brought tourism there in the first place.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Tourism done well and right can also enhance local communities so that they are at once attractions and also better places for local people to live. This is the sustainable tourism holy grail: travelers traveling with social impact in mind, making deliberate travel decisions aligned with their values, having more meaningful travel experiences, and engaging with businesses and organizations that care.

A tall order, isn’t it? Among the mechanisms travelers have to achieve this, social enterprise.

We’ve always minded the social impact of travel throughout our work, travels and writing. However, it was our recent “G for Good” tour-meets-study trip in Peru with G Adventures which further catalyzed our thinking. Our experiences in Peru exposed the supply chain and demonstrated in detail exactly how purchasing travel services (e.g., tours, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, souvenirs, etc.) through social enterprises can deliver benefits to travelers and communities at once.

It also expanded and deepened our sense of what those benefits are.

What are Social Enterprises? A Working Definition

Though the concept has been around for ages, the actual term “social enterprise” originated in the U.K. in the 1970s. Initially, it meant a financially viable common ownership organization operating in an environmentally responsible way, delivering something referred to as “social wealth.”

“What is that in ordinary speak?” you ask.

Fast-forward to today, using layman’s terms. A social enterprise is roughly a market-driven organization which also fulfills a social or environmental mission. We could debate and parse words, but the two concepts required to pass the social enterprise sniff test: the organization makes money, then invests a significant portion or all of its proceeds/profits back into community projects.

Social enterprises are not entirely dependent on grants or donations (this is how they differ from NGOs). Instead, they are financially sustainable through the sale of their products and services.

It's also true that social enterprises and their products often appeal to consumers on an altruistic level. That link may even inform the business model and messaging. Regardless, the essence of the social enterprise remains the same: earn money and invest the lion’s share to serve the community.

Let’s talk features and some common examples you might find in your travels.

5 Key Features of Social Enterprises in Travel: What Makes Them Unique?

1. organic and driven by community strengths.

A social enterprise may find motivation and market access through an international partner, but its essence is organic. Its products and experiences typically draw on the existing cultural raw materials and strengths of the local community.

If you peel back the layers of how a social enterprise came to be, you might find a community which asked itself, “What do we need to accomplish our goals? And what cultural assets, strengths, and elements of identity can we bring to bear?”

Sure, sometimes outside advice or financing is needed to kick-start the project and help achieve those goals, but the ongoing physical and mental energy emanates from within the community.

Adrienne Lee, Director of Development at Planeterra Foundation , explained: “ We'll work with our community partners and ground partners to develop a tourism plan that encompasses and drives their vision and mission-driven work (help brainstorm what we've done in other countries, look at where we might be able to replicate models, collaborate on ideas) and develop this budget with them.

We provide our funding for the length of the program to get it off the ground. Once it's “market-ready” and included into tourism product (or G Adventures itineraries ), and our budget for the tourism enterprise is completed, we usually step away at this point. ”

2. Market-Driven and Viable

Social enterprises are different. They address a current market need or cultivate a new one.

In Kyrgyzstan , we worked with four regional DMOs, focusing first on inventorying capacity, then branding and identity, and finally on implementing a rapid sustainable product development process.

The aim: to create market-ready tour products that highlighted the unique strengths and characteristics of each destination while also tapping into the leading travel market trends of food, culture and light adventure. These new local experiences rose to meet traveler demand to do and engage more in each destination, but in a way that emphasized community, identity and dignity. Throughout the process, the DMOs behaved as social enterprises.

After just one tourism season, average stays in each of the destinations – Karakol , Osh , South Shore of Lake Issyk-Kul , and Jyrgalan – is on a steep upswing. Each destination now has a brand identity in line with products and traveler experience. Moreover, community members now say things like, “We think about ourselves differently…we never thought about ourselves or our abilities in this way.”

3. Surfaces the Human Supply Chain

A travel experience is created and delivered differently from an object like an iPhone or a purse. Sure, people might have helped make those things. But, when I hold those products, I rarely experience direct human contact.

Not so in travel. Travel is high touch, high context. When I travel, people are not only involved throughout the process, they are essential.

This is especially true with experiences delivered under social enterprise. Impacted communities aren’t just a backdrop. Their human engagement components are the main event. They serve as critical, differentiating features of the travel experience. The idea: you are immersed in the community or environment, and your purchase and engagement make a direct, positive impact on the people you’ve met.

In this way, tourism truly is the people’s business .

Our first travel encounter with a social enterprise was in Hanoi, Vietnam ten years ago. The Hoa Sua School network of restaurants, bakeries and cafes throughout the city provided hospitality training and practical work experience to disadvantaged youth. Not only were food quality and service level high, but we also knew that our money (and our time) spent at the restaurants contributed to the futures of the young people working there.

4. Their Ecosystems Spawn Knock-On Businesses and Benefits

Because social enterprises are community-centric, they often spur development of other micro-enterprises to fill gaps and meet new supply needs. For example, at Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley — a three-year initiative co-financed by the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American development bank and G Adventures, implemented by Planeterra — one local entrepreneur set up a business to harvest quail eggs essential to one of the lunch courses on the menu. Another community member entrepreneur now offers trekking snacks made from local, natural ingredients to sell to travelers headed for the Inca Trail.

When a social enterprise is successful, the community may draw other needed attention, too. At the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Cooperative , another Planeterra Foundation project, one woman told the story of how the cooperative’s success encouraged the local government to begin improving local roads. Absent the community’s social enterprise success, she believes the government would have continued to ignore their requests for infrastructure assistance.

5. Transcends the Transaction

Especially for external partners creating or making an investment in social enterprise, it’s about having skin in the game. And we’re not just talking an economic or financial stake, but an emotional one.

Unlike some Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, social enterprise is not about donating a bunch of money to salve one’s conscience, or throwing a couple of paragraphs in the annual report to tick off the “we’re doing something good” corporate checkbox. Don't get us wrong — those types of donations and support are also essential. But building or investing in a social enterprise is different.

Social enterprise creation requires active engagement, depth of involvement and connection. It demands the expenditure of personal capital, emotional capital, and time. When done well and thoughtfully, the result is the creation of something that matters to an entire community of people beyond just those directly employed.

To think of it another way, social enterprise investment resembles venture capital where not only is money invested, but time is spent mentoring, guiding and building relationships. This approach typically offers better stewardship and oversight of one’s investment, but it first requires a greater level of care and commitment.

As a traveler or a consumer, take a step back from any transaction or interaction with a social enterprise and ask yourself: Does it feel as though involved parties and partners are present and engaged? Do they really care about more than just the financial bottom line? Can you feel it?

5 Ways Social Enterprises are Good for Travelers

Social enterprise-powered travel generally fits within in the category of responsible travel or sustainable travel. Its features rich, engaging, high-context travel experiences – in part because there is no trade-off between travel pleasure and advocacy or giving back.

Instead, those are all bound together. And as a result, a traveler’s experience is enhanced or multiplied.

1. Cultivates Interaction, Participation and Exchange

Social enterprise-powered travel often allows travelers to participate, to create, to interact directly with local people and communities, in a respectful, engaging way. It’s not just about observing or watching, but actively engaging in a hands-on way that chips away at barriers, assumptions and fears.

What travelers often implicitly understand in social enterprise contexts is that they and community members both – that is, each of us – has something special to offer that’s reflective of our life experience and our home culture. In this way, social enterprise travel dissolves any sense of “levels” of humanity – through interactions and experiences which simultaneously emphasize what we have in common while constructively and curiously highlighting the differences that brought us to visit the community in the first place.

When we worked with Destination Osh and Destination Karakol in Kyrgyzstan on developing food-related tours with local families and entrepreneurs, our emphasis encouraged hands-on, interactive experiences. The idea: travelers and hosts create something together while everyone shares a bit of himself in the process.

The result: bread-making courses, a family dinner where you make your own ashlan-fu (a delicious cold, vinegar-based soup), a plov (traditional rice-based dish) cooking class. The essence was interaction, not transaction. Because of that, travelers engaged in resonant experiences where their purchases all impacted locally and directly — with people the travelers actually met.

2. Builds Connection, Meaning and a Sense of Stewardship

Travel experiences delivered through social enterprise develop connection between travelers and the local community and environment. These connections also build meaning in multiple layers — in part by cultivating an immeasurable sense of care for more than oneself. Social enterprise enhances the travel experience by enabling us as travelers to develop a growing sense of ourselves, our world and our place in it.

Also, long after a social enterprise experience, its memories reinforce a relationship between the traveler, the community and the organization that brought them together.

3. Offers a Natural Platform for Transformational Travel

The binding of connection, meaning and exchange offers a natural platform for transformational travel – the idea that after my travels, I emerge changed, perhaps engaging with the world and my life back home differently upon my return.

Often times, we talk out of cliché about our travel experiences changing our lives. However, social enterprise and travel animates and motivates. Community-engaged travel experiences offered by social enterprises often plant seeds of thought and care. They provide human anchors that expand our experiential vocabulary and enable us to articulate how a travel encounter has impacted us.

Because its high-context, social enterprise often allows a traveler to more clearly articulate “This is how my travel experience changed me. This is who touched me and how I was touched.”

4. Delivers a Local Experience

Travel experiences with social enterprises are by nature community-based. So their essence, features and details are entirely local. As a traveler, you don’t need to interact with a social enterprise during your travels to ensure a local experience. However, if you engage with a social enterprise, it’s virtually guaranteed.

It’s hard to imagine an experience more local and real that the Maasai Clean Cookstoves social enterprise experience in northern Tanzania. While many tours in Tanzania visit a Maasai village on a show-and-souvenir display, this social enterprise begins by using a portion of the tour fees from G Adventures passengers headed to the Serengeti to purchase a clean cookstove for a Maasai family in a nearby village.

It then takes travelers through a stove installation process. And it's all led by local Maasai women who articulate the importance of this simple cooking device to the well-being and health of local families. Travelers enjoy a unique, intimate experience in a Maasai village, with a Maasai family.

5. Delivers a Differentiated Experience

To the point, travel experiences delivered by social enterprises are typically not of the ordinary, beaten-path variety. Because of their local, personal, community-based nature, they often feature something unusual, something different – sparking the feeling of, “I never thought about it or looked at it this way.”

This was also the case of Parque de la Papa , a new G Adventures and Planeterra Foundation partner in the Sacred Valley.

I admit to having a conflicted relationship with potatoes since they often serve as tasteless filler. Potatoes were not something I would have considered building a travel experience around. Well, no longer. After meeting a local farmer and potato enthusiast at this local organization that works with nearby agricultural communities to preserve 3,000 varieties of Peruvian potatoes, I'm convinced. No longer the lowly potato.

There were over 500 or so varieties of potatoes on display of funky shapes, colors and flavors (Yes, I ate many… and they tasted unreal!) that I had never before seen or imagined. Moreover, the discussion on potatoes and the importance of their preservation to food security of these communities helped me better understand the historical and cultural relevance of potatoes to Peru and to its people.

In other words, I'll never look at the humble potato in quite the same way again.

G Adventures pays a tour fee to Parque de la Papa for an educational, cultural and culinary experience en route to Machu Picchu. While 42 people are employed by the park, around 2,500 people in nearby communities are impacted indirectly by this social enterprise. Not to mention, the sustainable stream of income from traveler visits allows even more research to be conducted on preserving indigenous food sources and seeds.

Rare in travel that something so unassuming could have such wide-ranging impact.

5 Ways Social Enterprises Are Good for Communities You Visit

The desire to give something back to the places we visit is wholesome and ought to be encouraged. However, we need to find the appropriate outlets or channels to give effectively. The market-based, community-aware nature of social enterprises naturally lend them and their experiences to delivering direct impacts to communities and facilitating positive outcomes.

Here are just some of the impacts and benefits we've seen social enterprise-powered travel deliver to local communities.

1. Preserves Traditions

Social enterprises often aim to preserve storytelling patterns and local traditions, not only because that preservation is essential to the community and its identity, but also because those assets are valuable to delivering differentiated experiences to the travel market.

Social enterprise travel experiences typically offer culture concurrent with reality, evolved and presented in a way that feels like living history. In some instances, social enterprises rescue and resurrect valuable traditions that communities didn’t even realize they were in danger of losing.

Ten years ago, many of the local indigenous designs and traditional methods of weaving almost died out in the remote Sacred Valley village Ccaccaccolla. Although tourism in nearby Cusco and Machu Picchu had been growing, the village was far enough off the main road that they were missing out. Economically-viable opportunities for local women to produce their traditional handicrafts were evaporating quickly.

With the development of the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Cooperative , G Adventures brings close to 15,000 of its tour passengers per year to visit this social enterprise. Forty-six local women now earn a living for themselves and their families by sharing their traditional weaving techniques with travelers and selling their handicrafts directly to visitors without the need of an intermediary.

Several women reporting having used their income to send their children to university, something that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago. Others have invested in developing a homestay program for travelers interested in an overnight Peruvian village family experience. Mothers are once again teaching their daughters traditional Incan weaving methods and designs, hoping to sustain their passage through the generations.

2. A Dignity Based on Identity and Exchange

Social enterprises are not about charity or an unequal hierarchical relationship where one gives something to another. The key feature of social enterprise is exchange – not only of goods, services and experiences, but of a kind of cultural interchange which communicates that we all have something of value to offer one another.

This relates to the organic nature of social enterprise – where business, products and experiences link back to a sense of personal pride and stewardship for one’s community.

Key to this is the concept of identity. Engage in social enterprise-powered travel and you’ll feel and hear a sense of pride – especially when travelers from all over the world come not only to see the local nature and landscape, but to see and experience a local community — their culture, crafts, cuisine and life.

Ownership and development of this asset becomes local; and transformation ripples at the individual, group, ethnic and community levels.

This concept was first highlighted and demonstrated to us by Rabee’ Zureikat, founder of the Zikra Initiative in Jordan, an organization whose core philosophy is “ riches come in many forms .”

In our experience with the women of Ghor al Mazra'a as part of a Zikra Initiative experience, they shared with us their cultural wealth — their crafts, cooking, culture, and a glimpse into their lives, their family and a primarily Afro-Jordanian community along the Dead Sea.

In other words, everyone, no matter his or her socio-economic position, has something of value to share with this world. Enterprising on the basis of this simple principle delivers a continual sense of pride, confidence and dignity.

3. Focused and Targeted

Social enterprise typically concentrates its effects on small, often marginalized communities. One social enterprise may only affect a limited number of people, but it likely does so deeply. It leads and offers examples within the wider community and to ones nearby who might wish to do something similar.

In this way, social enterprise and travel helps alter the world through micro action and effect.

4. Inclusive

Social enterprises often exhibit the core value of inclusivity – a way of living which is essential to serving the community. That inclusivity implies opportunity, especially for those who might otherwise be excluded due to their socio-economic status. It's important to note that inclusivity is provisional only on the basis that one is willing to work, to cooperate and to develop a skill. This is why job training is often a crucial component to social enterprise, as it’s along the path to expanding the pie and growing the benefit to the community and its members.

When we traveled recently to Phnom Penh, Cambodia earlier this year, we came across a network of social enterprises run by Friends-International . These businesses apply a vocational training business model which provides practical and in-demand skills and professional experience to targeted disadvantaged and marginalized youth, populations typically excluded from such opportunities.

For example, at the Friends Nails Bar , Audrey dropped-in for a manicure and pedicure. The entire organization, including the affiliated souvenir shop and restaurant, was geared to developing a professional bearing and helping its employees build confidence to continue working or launch their own businesses as they develop.

5. Economic Impact is Additive, not Extractive

If you wish to measure the full cost of your visit – ask yourself, “Besides the money I paid, what of value is left on the ground in the community after my visit?”

In other words, what's the net impact?

Essential to social enterprise is the development of an asset base or knowledge base. It’s not about travel companies running roughshod over a destination merely for profit, stripping it of its essence until it’s no longer recognizable.

The impact isn’t just money and jobs, either. It’s about an ecosystem and mindset which invests in homes, infrastructure, clean water, access to education, and more. It’s about taking stock of how the community has benefited from the enterprise, particularly outside of the direct financial exchange.

Social enterprise asks, “What is the path of the quality of life for people who live there? What is the viability”

Parwa Community Restaurant is located in a small community which is home to 65 families. Through the restaurant and organization's proceeds, community management has chosen to re-invest their profits into projects that spoke to business investment (i.e., tending an organic garden and expanding the restaurant’s capacity to host more travelers), as well as to initiatives that improved the well-being of the community and its environment. For the latter, they invested in things like water containers on community members’ houses to improve access to clean water, a new toilet block to improve sanitation, and a reforestation program to replace trees consumed for firewood.

And that’s only from 2017 profits. In previous years they invested in a computer room for local students, educational scholarships and other home improvement projects. These annual “reinvestments” have the potential to impact the community for years and generations to come.

How travelers can seek out social enterprises

At this point you might be thinking: “All this sounds well and good, but how do I go about finding social enterprises for my next trip?”

A few ideas and recommendations:

• Choose a tour operator — international or local — that partners or actively works with local social enterprises to deliver services or offer tour experiences. We’ve provided examples from the G Adventures social enterprise model in this article. You can also limit your search of their experience catalog to those tours which include a Planeterra Foundation project visit or local social enterprise component . When researching local tour operators ask about how they work with local organizations and communities to be sure that the money from your tour fees also stays in the regions instead of just in the capital city or major cities.
• Consider seeking out organizations who operate as Benefit Corporations (or, B Corporations) , a type of legal entity which includes positive impact on environment, community, employees and society in its legally defined goals. B Corporations are recognized in a growing number of states in the United States (33 at the time of writing) and countries around the world. B Corporations can then use free third-party impact assessment tools to bolster their assertions of doing good or pursue independent third-party certification like the B Corp certification . You can find a listing of travel related B Corporations here .
• Conduct online research as to whether there are local social enterprise restaurants, accommodation, tours or shops in the locations where you will be traveling. In addition to mighty Google, Grassroots Volunteering's social enterprise database is a good first stop for tourism-related organizations around the world. Asking your network of family and friends, especially if they are also keen travelers with an eye to social impact and giving back, can also delivers great results and discussion.
• When you're on the ground ask around and keep your eyes open: you'll likely find that your awareness of social enterprises will surface them more quickly in your field of view. (When you learn of something new and your attention is raised to it, the phenomenon is referred to as “selective attention” or blue car syndrome ). Cafes or restaurants will often display flyers or signs on their bulletin boards of local social enterprises or community organizations. Sometimes, you'll even literally stumble over the organization, as happened to us in Alice Springs, Australia, where by last-minute chance, we came across a local Aboriginal art gallery at a Salvation Army Community Center .

Conclusion: Intersection of Social Enterprise, Travel, and Healthy Communities

The great thing about the intersection of social enterprise and travel: we can all get involved – travelers, travel industry and trade, and members of host communities.

As travelers, we can achieve two-way impact, experience, and exchange. And as we optimize the impact of travel on ourselves, we can also optimize our impact on communities as we honor and respect the nuance and realities of the places we visit.

Travel companies — now, more than ever — also have the opportunity to innovate experiences which simultaneously engage travelers and serve communities just as it impacts their bottom line. To keep this in check, communities, too, must care.

It just takes a little interest, effort and time – to educate oneself, to get perspective and to continually tune our decision-making processes and choices.

But we’d argue it’s worth it. When it comes to the intersection of travel and healthy communities, we all have a stake.

About Daniel Noll

Global Alliance of Social Enterprises in Travel & Tourism

Member-led world-wide network of social enterprises in travel and tourism aligned to the UN SDGs to build an inclusive community.

Solving Global Challenges through Social Entrepreneurship

Social Enterprises

Social enterprises are purpose-driven businesses applying commercial strategies deliver social and environmental impact.

Tourism Social Entrepreneurs 

Change agents with a primary mission to enhance the destination’s environmental, social and economic fabric.

PURPOSEFUL .TRAVEL

The consumer travel portal features social enterprises in travel and tourism allowing travelers to search, book, and get inspired by small businesses that create a social impact.

SOCIALENTERPRISES.TRAVEL

The community portal of social enterprises in travel and tourism features services from learning content from partners, members directory, and networking tools.

Social enterprises have an important role to play in the achievement of the 17 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the no less than 169 associated targets.  An effective model of sustainable development of tourism involves income-generating opportunities for SMEs, creation of stakeholder collaboration approaches in entrepreneurship education, and competitive environment of business, thereby contributing to the achievement of economic growth. Social enterprises use business management principles and practices to provide efficient, innovative and sustainable solutions to social and environmental problems. Many social enterprises use bottom-up approaches to devise solutions, so that they are effective and affordable within local contexts. Their mission is not just profit, but also positive social and/or environmental impact.

What About Vietnam

• Kerry Newsome
• Sep 1, 2021

Social Enterprise Travel in Vietnam

Updated: Sep 2, 2021

Social enterprise travel in Vietnam is a relatively new concept, having been awarded legal status in 2014. With the tourist market opening up in recent years, such organizations have bridged the gap between traditional and modern worlds. This helps the economy without leaving its most vulnerable people behind.

For travelers with a sense of adventure, they also offer a unique experience, away from the tourist trails. Below we’ll look at the concept in detail, as well as hear from blogger Emily Lush, who utilized social enterprise networks on her own travels in Vietnam.

(Click to go to section)

1. What is social enterprise in Vietnam?

2. Successful social enterprise examples in Vietnam

3. Why do social enterprises exist?

4. Social enterprise funding

5. A different experience for travelers

6. Getting involved

7. In conclusion: the future

What is social enterprise in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, social enterprises are organizations that reinvest at least 51% of their profit into a social or environmental cause.

As a result, social enterprise companies hold a unique place within society. They’ve made huge gains in tackling some of the country’s biggest social issues, including women’s rights, ethnic minority rights, and human trafficking.

Successful social enterprise examples in Vietnam

The list of social enterprises in Vietnam is long, but to give examples, KOTO – which operates in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – is a training restaurant, working with disadvantaged youth.

Another is Zo Paper , a Hanoi enterprise focused on revitalizing the dying art of handmade paper. At present, only a handful of ethnic minority people in the north have retained this skill. Without such an enterprise, it’s unlikely to make it into the next generation.

There’s also Reaching Out Teahouse in Hoi An and Da Nang’s Happy Heart Restaurant – both established to provide work for disabled persons. Other successful examples include tour companies, souvenir shops and accommodation.

Why do social enterprises exist?

The main objective behind a social enterprise business is job creation. A huge percentage of Vietnam is made up of rural areas and farmland. Many live a way of life that’s been largely unchanged for centuries. It’s vital work, but difficult and makes little profit. Enterprises help to sustain a rural way of life whilst opening the door to new opportunities.

Others create jobs for people with physical or learning disabilities and the long-term unemployed. Social entrepreneurs always create a business with a specific goal or target group in mind.

Social enterprise funding

Setting up a social enterprise often involves external funding from outside investors. Organizations also rely on donations and grants. Given that it’s difficult for companies to be given bank loans, there’s very much a reliance on tourism in order for them to stay alive.

Nearly a quarter of the country’s social enterprises operate partially in overseas markets – by selling unique, handmade goods – and such expansion could be vital to the sector’s future.

A different experience for travellers

Social enterprise can offer a different experience for travellers, as travel blogger Emily Lush explained via our podcast .

“Because of the way it’s structured, social enterprise gives travelers a lot of opportunities…to have deep experiences, speak and learn from people firsthand.”

People travel for different reasons of course – some just to party and have a good time, and there’s nothing wrong in that. But instead of ticking off the main spots on the tourist trail, you can discover a world few travelers have partaken in.

“I was really interested in learning more about the remote communities in the north,” Emily continues. “To be able to go deeper into (off-the-beaten-track) places was very personally rewarding.”

Although Vietnam’s north hosts its capital city in Hanoi, beyond it lie villages galore and an immense mountain range, bordering both China and Laos.

In amongst the mountains and valleys, many of the country’s 54 separate ethnic minority groups are based. All have their own language, style of dress and individual culture. Emily based herself in Hanoi and used the city as a starting point for setting off on a host of rural adventures.

“Two places in particular stand out, and I visited both with social enterprise groups. One is Ha Giang, east of Sapa. It takes a long time to get there, but given the mountain roads and amazing scenery, it features a lot in photos. You can jump on a motorbike and go hustling around those dangerous roads yourself. But with the social enterprise, we were able to do tours by car, with a private driver and guide who is embedded in the local community.

I also went to Da Bac, three hours from Hanoi, and not known to tourists at all.

In Da Bac there is a project run by the NGO called Action on Poverty . I went over there to check out their homestays. They work with a network of villages, around a reservoir, and have worked with a range of families to set up homestays in beautiful, traditional wooden homes.

One thing that I did which is very memorable was take a traditional red dao herbal bath. You sit in a wooden barrel filled with water and medicinal herbs, grown in the village. You sit in the bath and soak, with a view of the rice fields outside. It was very beautiful.”

It’s worth touching on cost at this point. There are many travelers who come to Vietnam expecting everything on the cheap. It is possible to have a low-cost adventure in the country, but keep an open-mind when traveling with a social enterprise company.

Given where the money ends up – helping people in some way – you may find prices a little closer to those you’re used to back home. Although haggling is a traditional part of Vietnamese culture, buying from social enterprises is not the place to do it.

Getting involved

Anyone interested in a social enterprise experience should visit Emily’s website as a starting point for ideas.

“There’s another site called Grassroots Volunteering , which has a bit of a directory,” says Emily. “And one called CBT Vietnam . They work in Sapa and focus on homestays.”

In conclusion: the future

Prior to the pandemic, social entrepreneurship was playing an important role in making sure tourism developed in a sustainable way.

However, even prior to 2019, Vietnam’s premier tourist attractions were its cities and coastline – and there’s so much more to this beautiful country than that!

For anyone wanting a unique experience or an off-the-beaten track adventure in the future, social enterprises can enable such adventures. Be sure to take advantage of these fabulous organizations before the rest of the world catches on.

How many social enterprises are there in Vietnam?

A British Council Study in 2019 listed 19,000 different social enterprises in Vietnam.

Where are Vietnam’s social enterprises based?

Around 50% of Vietnam’s social enterprises are based in its two biggest cities – Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. The other half are in rural regions.

What are the main challenges for social enterprises in Vietnam?

Discounting the impact that Covid has had on Vietnam’s tourist industry, the biggest challenge is to attract new customers or clients, as well as developing new products and services.

What’s the main objective for Vietnam’s social enterprises?

For those starting a social enterprise, job creation is the main objective for 60% of organizations. On average, each social enterprise in Vietnam employs 42 direct employees, with work enabling up to 2000 people.

• Special Interest
• Sustainable

Recent Posts

Hoi An Memories show - Not to be missed

Explore Phu Quoc: a jewel in the heart of the ocean

Getting more bang out of your Dong!

Opmerkingen

Latest News

Embracing Sustainability: Minor International’s New Frontier

Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards 2024 to be held in Hong Kong

Bangkok Airways renews agreement with Sabre Corporation

Singapore set to launch first train hotel in September 2024

Philippines’ Tourism Champions Challenge sees significant boost

Unprecedented travel surge in Malaysia during Hari Raya

Jewel Changi Airport celebrates fifth anniversary

Klook and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forge bold partnership to revolutionize travel experiences

Tourism Malaysia showcases at VITM Hanoi 2024

Air India launches A350 on Delhi-Dubai route this summer

Balancing Tourism: Empowering communities through social enterprises

Explore the impactful role of social enterprises in tourism, fostering responsible travel that balances profit with purpose, enriching local communities, and promoting sustainable, meaningful travel experiences.

In the landscape of travel, there’s a beacon of hope that often goes unrecognized amidst the flashy resorts and blockbuster tour packages: social enterprises.

These are the unsung heroes of the tourism industry, the quiet revolutionaries reshaping the tourism industry with integrity, passion, and a rock-solid commitment to balanced tourism. They are the vanguards of change, ensuring that the seductive allure of wanderlust doesn’t come at the expense of the local ethos. They are the visionaries who have recognized that travel can be more than an escape; it can be an exchange — one that enriches and empowers. They prove that responsible travel isn’t just possible; it’s profitable, it’s pleasurable, and it’s the path forward for an industry at a crossroads.

Responsible travel is the harmonious balance between exploration and conservation, where every footstep on foreign soil is as much about leaving a positive impact as it is about personal enrichment, as someone who’s had his fair share of witnessing both the deleterious footprints of tourism and the uplifting stories of  balanced tourism .

While traditional businesses often chase profit with a singularity of purpose, social enterprises chase something more holistic: a profit that propels purpose. Social enterprises generate its own revenues, reinvesting a significant portion back into the societal or environmental causes it champions. This self-sustaining model is a powerful engine for continuous impact, a cycle of growth and giving that perpetuates positive change. It’s a business model that measures success not just by the bottom line, but by the positive ripples it sends through communities and ecosystems.

At its core, a social enterprise in the tourism industry is a balance beam, perfectly poised between the pursuit of profit and the imperative of social and environmental stewardship. It’s a business model that doesn’t just exist to make money; it exists to make a difference. When I first encountered the concept, it was like a light bulb flickered on, illuminating the potential for travel to be a catalyst for good, rather than a vector of exploitation. Through my personal experience, I learned that supporting social enterprises goes beyond just making a financial contribution. It’s about engaging in meaningful and sustainable travel experiences that prioritize the welfare of local communities and the environment while providing an authentic and immersive experience, which directly supports the local community by creating job opportunities and investing in education and sustainable development projects.  It’s not just about having a memorable travel experience, but also about contributing to the well-being of the local people.

As sustainable tourism is the objective of most destinations in the world, reaching total sustainability is a challenge that most destinations never reach. There is the need for growth to stimulate economic development, however that growth is not always inclusive. While tourism destinations need visitor arrivals in order to leverage the positive aspects of tourism, that growth needs to be sustainable for tourism to be a force for good.  Balancing  growth and regeneration by managing destinations sustainably and responsibly, taking into account carrying capacity and inclusivity of all stakeholders should be the aspiration of the public and private sectors. Social Enterprises can be a big part of the solution.

Social enterprises are businesses that seek to maximize profits while maximizing benefits to society and the environment.

Because the travel industry integrates so many different types of suppliers – shopping, eating, accommodations, transportation, and experiences – there is a tremendous opportunity to select suppliers who are intentionally using their business for the benefit of their local people and communities. When we actively integrate social enterprises into tourism, we:

• Provide visitors with authentic and engaging experiences
• Keep money in the local communities
• Empower local people to positively impact their destination in their own way
• Improve – not detract – from the resiliency and spirit of a community
• Create a virtuous cycle where tourism is viewed as a good thing, thus improving the visitor experience

Examples of tourism businesses and services that may operate as a social enterprise in a place you are visiting include:

• restaurants
• retail shops and boutiques
• craft centers
• tour operators
• guesthouses
• transportation companies
• massage parlors
• cultural shows

The fact is, you have a choice when you travel of where you invest your money. Though it is unlikely you can only support social enterprises on your trip, you can prioritize these businesses when given the opportunity.

Travelers who support these enterprises are not just buying a trip; they are investing in a brighter future for the destinations they visit, which is the best souvenir anybody could ever bring home.

Supporting social enterprises is as simple as it is impactful: choose them. Choosing to book travels through companies that wear their values on their sleeve. Choosing to eat at restaurants that train and employ marginalized youth. Choosing to buy souvenirs from cooperatives that funnel profits back into local hands. Every choice is a vote for the world people want to travel in, a world where tourism doesn’t take, it gives.

I’ve always been passionate about responsible travel and supporting local communities. That’s why I launched the  Purpose Picks blog , to spotlight inspiring purpose-driven social enterprises that are not just offering trips, but transformative journeys that stitch together the fabric of local communities with the threads of responsible travelers’ yearnings.

Dr. Jens Thraenhart

With over 30 years of global travel and tourism expertise, Dr. Jens Thraenhart is the Founding Partner of 25-year-old bespoke strategy consulting firm Chameleon Strategies, the 2nd Vice Chair of the World Tourism Organization’s UNWTO Affiliate Members, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc. (Visit Barbados), the former Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, the founder of private-sector-led tourism marketing organization Destination Mekong, and former Board Member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Previously active in China, in 2009, he co-founded acclaimed marketing agency Dragon Trail and published the China Travel Trends books and website. Jens has also held leadership positions with Destination Canada and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (now Accor).

As founder of the Destination Film Forum, he is also a big proponent of the power of storytelling, having been recognized as one of the top 10 Most Influential Leaders in Travel in 2022 by Travel Vertical, ranking first in the category of Creativity and Brand Storytelling, and served on the Jury of the Cannes Lion International Film Awards.

Other recognitions for his work include being one of the travel industry’s top 100 rising stars by Travel Agent Magazine in 2003, one of HSMAI’s 25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel in 2004 and 2005, one of the Top 20 Extraordinary Minds in European Travel and Hospitality in 2014, and honored as one of the Global Travel Heroes in 2021.

He completed his Doctor in Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and graduated from Cornell University with a Masters in Hospitality Management.

He publishes his three tourism industry blogs: (1) Tourism-Campaigns.com; (2) BalancedTourism.com; (3) PurposePicks.com.

• Dr. Jens Thraenhart https://www.traveldailynews.asia/author/jens-thraenhart/ Shaping Balanced Tourism: Leveraging Social Influencers, Content Creators, and Bloggers
• Dr. Jens Thraenhart https://www.traveldailynews.asia/author/jens-thraenhart/ Revitalizing global tourism through rail: A sustainable journey
• Dr. Jens Thraenhart https://www.traveldailynews.asia/author/jens-thraenhart/ Embracing Slow Travel and Slow Food: Pioneering Sustainable and Meaningful Tourism
• Dr. Jens Thraenhart https://www.traveldailynews.asia/author/jens-thraenhart/ Navigating the future: The critical role of purposeful leadership in sustainable tourism

Related posts

Shaping Balanced Tourism: Leveraging Social Influencers, Content Creators, and Bloggers

Revitalizing global tourism through rail: A sustainable journey

Embracing Slow Travel and Slow Food: Pioneering Sustainable and Meaningful Tourism

Navigating the future: The critical role of purposeful leadership in sustainable tourism

Previous article, next article, malaysia and china boost tourism with new charter flights, thailand expands tourism outreach in kazakhstan with exclusive events.

Christchurch booms as hub for international conferences in May

ONYX Hospitality expands through roadshow in South Korea

Why you should need a financial advisor in Singapore

Spree Hospitality launches new ZiP By Spree Hotels Bella Heights in McLeod Ganj

SOTC Travel opens new franchise in New Town, Kolkata to expand regional presence

Fiji Airways enhances operations with Assaia’s TurnaroundControl

Noida International Airport and BPCL ink deal for eco-friendly fuel pipeline

AirAsia X celebrates relaunch of direct Xi’an-Kuala Lumpur route

Sabre Corporation appoints Rajiv Bhatia to spearhead APAC market expansion

Eve Air Mobility partners with Korea Aerospace Industries for eVTOL aircraft component supply

Western Australia passes laws for short-term rental accommodation registration

Marriott International expands in Japan with HMI Hotel Group partnership

Air Astana forms strategic partnership with Italian airline Neos

Clinique La Prairie and Montara Hospitality unveil new health resort in Phuket

Travelodge expands in Seoul with new Myeongdong Namsan hotel

Japan’s hotel sector sees strong growth and investment in 2023

Nobu Hospitality announces new hotel and restaurant in Ho Chi Minh city

Singapore advances ATC safety with new handbook at IFATCA conference

American Airlines launches nonstop Tokyo-New York flights

Surge in spiritual tourism: SOTC and Thomas Cook enhance pilgrimage tours

2024 outlook: Transformative trends shaping the hotel industry

South East Asia Hotel Investors’ Summit (SEAHIS) 2024

HKTB reports significant growth in Q1 visitor arrivals

IHG expands in Southeast Asia with new hotels and redesigns

Americas outpaces Asia Pacific in hotel construction growth

“Thaiconic Songkran Celebration” attracts international tourists along the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok

Amara Hotels redesigns flagship Singapore properties

Sabre and InterparkTriple forge AI-driven travel partnership

Northern Territory boosts tourism with $68m investment

Halim Perdanakusuma Airport manages surge in Eid return traffic

Vietnam and Korea bolster tourism and cultural ties

Macao celebrates 25 years with grand international travel expo

Singapore unveils ‘The Dream Sphere’ Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Air Astana launches summer flight schedule with expanded services

EaseMyTrip expands with new franchise store in Karnal, Haryana

jüSTa Hollow Oak opens in Mussoorie: A new luxury experience

Mercure opens its largest hotel in Singapore’s central business district

GenZ women lead rebound in Chinese outbound travel

Royal Caribbean reveals exciting 2025-2026 Australia season

Guizhou Tourism conference aims to create world-class destination

Korean Air partners with Ramco Systems to enhance engine maintenance

ICBC pledges $41 billion to boost China’s tourism sector

Vietnam ramps up global tourism promotion efforts in 2024

Jinhua delegation enhances trade and cultural ties in Africa

Sydney Seaplanes to launch direct flight from Sydney to Canberra

HKTB and Xiaohongshu strengthen partnership to boost Hong Kong tourism

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board shines at MITT Moscow

Air India expands global customer support with new contact centers

Prague to Beijing direct flights resume, boosting tourism

Top must-visit indoor attractions in Pigeon Forge

Unveiling Travel Trends: Insights from PATA’s CEO, Noor Ahmad Hamid

Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 Unveiled with Epic Spectacle

Addressing Quality Assurance concerns: A critical analysis of Boeing’s production practices

Jakarta police prepare for post-Eid traffic surge, urge strategic planning

SriLankan Airlines strengthens its global reach as UATP merchant

$1 million boost for Aboriginal Tourism in Northern Territory

Ascott partners with Canopy Sands for two new properties in Cambodia

Da Nang joins Vietnam’s MICHELIN Guide culinary destinations

Yum China announces expansion and enhanced stockholder returns in 2023 annual letter

Philippines vies for seven accolades at World Travel Awards 2024

Thailand proposes single-visa scheme with Southeast Asian neighbors

• Service Providers + Destinations
• Content Creators
• Collaborations + Partnerships
• What is Rooted?
• Rooted’s Founder

Many "unpleasant" aspects of reality have been hidden from tourists, but making them part of the traveler story is a powerful opportunity. | Photo by Ev on Unsplash

Social Impact

March 11, 2024

Why Social Enterprises Should Be Woven into Tourism Experiences

Regardless of where people travel and what they choose to do, there are some consistent aspects of every single trip that always remain consistent: Everyone needs to eat, sleep, and (presumably) do something.

And if that’s the case, why not make those hours spent eating, sleeping, and participating in activities worth something to the community as well as the traveler?

Generally speaking, businesses designed to serve tourism have largely served travelers – but only travelers. Hotels are places to sleep. Restaurants are places to eat. Activities and sites offer something for people to do.

Yet, a growing number of social enterprises and social impact initiatives bumping up against tourism offer the chance for travelers to do all of that, and a little more, simply by sleeping, eating, and doing.

Social enterprises are businesses or organizations that use a commercial structure and strategy to maximize financial, social, and environmental improvements for society’s well-being. These organizations (as well as other less formally organized social impact initiatives) are built with holistic community well-being front and center. 

Tourism + Social Impact Initiatives: The Many Benefits

In some cases, tourism is a vehicle to support these socially focused goals. In other cases, these enterprises are established with tourism serving as the sole revenue source for their success. Regardless, integrating these initiatives into travel experiences has a compounding benefit – for the enterprise, for travelers, and for the destination.

Tourism as Community Supporter

As regenerative practices become more popular in tourism, social enterprises are a natural fit for using tourism as a tool to support overall community well-being. While the traveler gets the thing they need – a place to sleep, a meal to eat, an activity to do – the real winner is the community through financial support for local residents’ health, education, job training, infrastructure, environmental protection, etc.

This is the point where tourism breaks out of its silo as a sole provider for traveler-centric desires. Instead, the enterprise's intention is deeply interconnected within the community, and tourism is simply the means by which the enterprise’s purpose is recognized. The community pain points that these enterprises or impact initiatives support already exist; tourism is a tool in the solutions toolbox to help resolve those pain points.

Identify new ways to promote a destination or trip’s most unique qualities while also supporting sustainable development and empowering local people using storytelling.

A Natural Segue to Hard Conversations

Social enterprises are focused on social problems like food insecurity, homelessness, and waste management. They often also specifically support people who are marginalized or otherwise on the fringes of mainstream society, such as people with home insecurity, refugees, migrants, children living on the streets, and people with disabilities.

All of these issues and all of these communities of people have largely been taboo tourism-related topics. However, social enterprises are normalizing their place in society and inviting conversations about them in the tourism context. Because social enterprises center challenging issues and marginalized communities in a way that offers a positive path forward, they also turn what could be perceived as “negative” or “bad” things into opportunities for community empowerment and agency.

Surfacing New Stories

The dominant narrative of a place is well known. This is the story that has been heavily reinforced, often to the benefit of those who travel with privilege who can move seamlessly and comfortably through spaces. This narrative is time-tested and consistent – but it’s also a bit outdated and boring too.

We know that places are complex . And yet, destination marketers have largely steered clear of this complexity by continuing to lean on those easy-to-digest, attractive narratives that have served it well in the past. It’s time to change that narrative, and one of the best ways to do this is to lean into the rich, diverse, and nuanced fabric that gives a place its unique identity. Highlighting stories about social enterprises – and the change makers behind them – is a great opportunity to embrace and showcase those aspects that make a place truly special.

From Awareness to Action

Social impact initiatives often offer local solutions to global challenges. While the exact circumstances may be highly localized, the local challenges that social enterprises address are universal. Issues like mass incarceration, gender inequality, and lack of access to education may not bump up against travelers’ day-to-day lives in their own communities, but chances are they aren’t that far removed. People are often blissfully unaware of those things that don’t directly impact them.

But travel is an opportunity for people to observe, ask questions, and become aware of aspects of society they wouldn’t normally encounter. That is, arguably, why people travel in the first place. It’s possible that their eyes are opened to something that inspires them to act – such as by making a donation, volunteering, or changing day-to-day habits – either within the host community or upon returning home. If this awareness-to-action pipeline manifests, then introducing these seemingly “unpleasant” realities through tourism is, in fact, a gift to society.

The Ripple Effect

Finally, when travelers become aware of what social enterprises are, how they operate, and how they benefit society, they see what is possible. They begin to understand how the way they spend money on things they want or need can have a positive impact on people and the planet. 

When travelers can get a good night’s sleep – and also support youth training in hospitality careers – that’s a good thing. When they can eat – and know that supporting this particular cafe is paying someone from a marginalized community who wouldn’t otherwise have a job – that’s an impact that lasts long after the meal. When they can tour a city or participate in an activity that hits the sites and surfaces meaningful value for locals, that’s tourism that benefits a community.

And when all of this is possible, where they spend their money is a vote for what matters. With increased exposure and financial support, these tourism-tangential enterprises offer a blueprint for those businesses driven strictly by profit.

JoAnna Haugen is an award-winning writer, speaker, consultant, and solutions advocate. She is also the founder of Rooted, a solutions platform at the intersection of sustainability, storytelling, and social impact. Hire her as a consultant or to speak at your next event.

Related posts

4 hard truths about travelers interested in sustainability (+ solutions), here and now: why distance doesn’t determine meaningful travel experiences, leave a reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Don't Miss Out!

Biweekly newsletter highlights:

• Latest Rooted articles and favorites from the archives.
• Creative solutions addressing tourism's challenges.
• Actionable storytelling and sustainable travel tips.
• First-to-know details on learning opportunities.
• Updates and discounts on relevant products, services, and resources.
• Opportunities for highlighting your stories.

THE URBAN TOURS

Cultural village tours, homestay experiences, multi-days tours.

• OUR BELIEFS
• OUR MISSIONS

• Mount Kilimanjaro
• Mount Kenya
• Mount Toubkal
• Mount Aconcagua
• Mount Everest
• Mera Peak and Island Peak
• Mount Kinabalu
• Himalayan Mountains
• Borneo treks
• Nepal treks
• Moroccan Atlas treks
• Treks in East Africa
• Trek in Europe
• Wildlife Safaris
• School Expeditions
• Family Holidays
• Medical Electives
• Private Expeditions
• Indonesia and Papua
• Experiences
• Trip Finder
• Trip Leaders
• Sustainable Tourism
• Adventure blog
• Add a review
• Trip reviews

Ask Us A Question...

Social Enterprise

• Social enterprise

Sustainable tourism - social enterprise

Our vision has been to run a sustainable tourism business that allows everyone who is involved in providing a holiday to share in the economic benefits.

We know that at a local level tourism can really improve people's lives so we work closely with local people and help them develop a holiday that is well run and provides a high quality experience for our visitors. 

A key strategy of ours is to promote the idea of social enterprises in the areas where we work and to develop local social entrepreneurs with the revenue and potential of tourism. We do this by building a long term trust with our partners and investing in a way which reflects the culture of the place and needs of the community. We provide clients and help develop products, and ensure the local company becomes a DMC (destination management company) for other tour operators who are bringing tourists.

When the company began in the early 1990s the name was supposed to describe the alternative model for a travel company, although now it is much more mainstream. The 'alternative' idea for sharing the spoils of tourism and helping create long term sustainable benefits came about because of Gavin's own personal experiences and friendships made during many years of travelling and climbing around the world.

As long as the main tenets of equitable salaries (based on a proper measurement of the cost of living in that country) are upheld and their price is not just determined by what is cheapest, then we will continue to support the local company with training, resources and mentoring.

We firmly believe that local operators should be able to compete equitably, and without having to adopt the lowest price just to get the business. Holiday makers want quality and value for their holiday, and tourism will only be sustainable in developing countries when the tourist dollar is allowed to properly fill the pockets of every one in the supply chain.

Sustainable tourism as social enterprise

All of the companies are run as profit-making ventures but their character is more of a social enterprise. Where possible we try to ensure that every holiday has an identifiable local benefit, and this is connected to Moving Mountains which is a non-profit that Gavin set up to manage many community projects and developmental programmes and complement the revenue that the company was bringing. 

The non-profit organisation 'MM' provides capital investment into infrastructure and facilities like electricity, machinery and buildings; the company 'AA' then generates revenue from tourism for the local stakeholders to get an income and build on the business opportunity. Nepal is a great example, this article from scholar Dr Jonathon Day explains why. 

We emphatically endeavour to be a socially conscious tour operator, creating long term benefits in social value from our holidays for our local partners and owners. We think of this as 'value' and 'quality' in a holiday, as much as we aim for high standards in guiding and management.

Sustainable tourism - investing in local communities

We have run many successful tourism projects which are a result of community organizations and businesses working together to generate financial and social profit for the entire community. In many cases there was no such environment before we came along, for example in the villages in Nepal and in western Kenya.

Communities love to share what they love about where they live, and of course they also like to make money and develop themselves. In developing countries this has not always been traditionally possible because of exploitative attitudes. We have a model that thinks in terms of social capital as well as financial return, and we think in long term chunks of time. We want to create a vibrant local economy with our holidays, but we also aim to sustain traditional customs and ways of life by committing ourselves for decades. Crucially that means not walking away when times are difficult.

Sustainable tourism - investing in small businesses

We are very loyal to small businesses and enterprises such as local hotels we use which compete with the larger chains. Of course we provide clients, but we also help with investment in facilities and helping to raise standards. In some cases we become business partners.

For example we have been working with the Blue Line Hotel on the slopes of Mount Kenya for nearly twenty years now, and a few lodges in the Khumbu and we have invested in the Lupa Masa eco lodge on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu. All these small outlets have really benefitted from us and other companies using their facilities.

In remote areas we helped to set up co-operatives and business enterprises, for example Bumburi in the solu Khumbu was a dying village in an area which had no access to tourism. We worked with the villagers to improve facilities and offered homestays and trekking holidays below the popular areas near Mount Everest. We provided investment and a long term strategy which included oil and flour producing businesses, a tea plantation and IT.

Sustainable tourism - investing in people

It is a main concern of ours that an employee in any of our satellite offices should have the opportunity to create a long term career out of tourism and receive funding and encouragement to grow within the company. We actively promote this vision of equality in the workforce which has been hugely rewarding as well as a diverse and colourful challenge.

Investing in the training and development of staff has enabled the operation to grow organically. Each company has its own organic growth journey, and our role is to adapt each support package for each organisation and culture. This challenge has given us a lot of great memories and fun over the years. It has also given its fair share of disappointments and failures.

In general the staff are proud that they are taking part in a good model of tourism. With a good salary and long term employment, they can afford a good lifestyle and are keen to provide an authentic holiday for our clients.

• Safety and Care
• Moving Mountains
• Terms and Conditions
• Financial protection
• Data protection
• Package travel law
• Health and Safety
• Safety on Youth Trips
• Website Cookies

Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism, Hospitality and Events: A State of the Art

• First Online: 08 April 2022

Cite this chapter

• Mert Gürlek 4  

Part of the book series: Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management ((THEM))

734 Accesses

2 Citations

Social entrepreneurship (SE) plays a significant role in the solution of social problems and is therefore considered among the main drivers of sustainable development. The tourism, hospitality and events industries have the potential to create social value for social groups such as the poor, disadvantaged groups, homeless and the unemployed, with the economic growth they have created. However, no research has been found examining what progress is made in the SE literature of the tourism, hospitality and events field. Therefore, this chapter aims to review the research on SE in the field of tourism, hospitality and events. To achieve this, 30 studies from 17 different journals were examined within the scope of this chapter. Using content analysis, the level of development and current trends in the research on SE, the theoretical perspectives and research methods used were examined and then a research agenda for future research was created.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Albert, M. (1992). Kapitalizme Karşı Kapitalizm [Capitalism vs. Capitalism] (C. Oktay & H. Dilli, Trans.). Afa.

Google Scholar  

Altinay, L., Sigala, M., & Waligo, V. (2016). Social value creation through tourism enterprise. Tourism Management, 54 , 404–417.

Article   Google Scholar  

Alvord, S. H., Brown, L. D., & Letts, C. W. (2004). Social entrepreneurship and societal transformation: An exploratory study. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 40 (3), 260–282.

Aquino, R. S., Lück, M., & Schänzel, H. A. (2018). A conceptual framework of tourism social entrepreneurship for sustainable community development. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 37 , 23–32.

Bacq, S., & Janssen, F. (2011). The multiple faces of social entrepreneurship: A review of definitional issues based on geographical and thematic criteria. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 23 (5–6), 373–403.

Bacq, S., & Lumpkin, G. T. (2020). Social entrepreneurship and COVID-19. Journal of Management Studies, 58 (1), 285–288.

Bacq, S., Geoghegan, W., Josefy, M., Stevenson, R., & Williams, T. A. (2020). The COVID-19 Virtual Idea Blitz: Marshaling social entrepreneurship to rapidly respond to urgent grand challenges. Business Horizons, 63 (6), 705–723.

Beckmann, M., & Zeyen, A. (2014). Franchising as a strategy for combining small and large group advantages (logics) in social entrepreneurship: A Hayekian perspective. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 43 (3), 502–522.

Boschee, J., & McClurg, J. (2003). Toward a better understanding of social entrepreneurship: Some important distinctions . Working Paper. Accessed March 26, 2021, from http://www.se-alliance.org/better_understanding.pdf

Bozhikin, I., Macke, J., & da Costa, L. F. (2019). The role of government and key non-state actors in social entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226 , 730–747.

Brooks, A. C. (2009). Social entrepreneurship: A modern approach to social value creation . Pearson Prentice Hall.

Butkevičiene, E. (2009). Social innovations in rural communities: Methodological framework and empirical evidence. Social Sciences/Socialiniai Mokslai, 1 (63), 80–88.

Calás, M. B., Smircich, L., & Bourne, K. A. (2009). Extending the boundaries: Reframing “entrepreneurship as social change” through feminist perspectives. Academy of Management Review, 34 ( 3 ), 552 – 569 .

Canestrino, R., Ćwiklicki, M., Magliocca, P., & Pawełek, B. (2020). Understanding social entrepreneurship: A cultural perspective in business research. Journal of Business Research, 110 , 132–143.

Certo, S. T., & Miller, T. (2008). Social entrepreneurship: Key issues and concepts. Business Horizons, 51 (4), 267–271.

Chen, S., & Ravallion, M. (2010). The developing world is poorer than we thought, but no less successful in the fight against poverty. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 125 (4), 1577–1625.

Dacin, P. A., Dacin, M. T., & Matear, M. (2010). Social entrepreneurship: Why we don’t need a new theory and how we move forward from here. Academy of Management Perspectives, 24 (3), 37–57.

Dahles, H., Khieng, S., Verver, M., & Manders, I. (2020). Social entrepreneurship and tourism in Cambodia: Advancing community engagement. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28 (6), 816–833.

De Lange, D., & Dodds, R. (2017). Increasing sustainable tourism through social entrepreneurship. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29 (7), 1977–2002.

Dwivedi, A., & Weerawardena, J. (2018). Conceptualizing and operationalizing the social entrepreneurship construct. Journal of Business Research, 86 , 32–40.

Edmondson, A. C., & McManus, S. E. (2007). Methodological fit in management field research. Academy of Management Review, 32 (4), 1246–1264.

Ergül, M., & Johnson, C. (2011). Social entrepreneurship in the hospitality and tourism industry: An exploratary approach. Consortium Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, 16 (2), 40–46.

Fu, H., Okumus, F., Wu, K., & Köseoglu, M. A. (2019). The entrepreneurship research in hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 78 , 1–12.

Gupta, P., Chauhan, S., Paul, J., & Jaiswal, M. P. (2020). Social entrepreneurship research: A review and future research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 113 , 209–229.

Gürlek, M., & Uygur, A. (2021). Service-oriented high-performance human resource practices and employee service performance: A test of serial mediation and moderation models. Journal of Management & Organization, 27 (1), 197–233.

Gürlek, M., & Köseoglu, M. A. (2021). Green innovation research in the field of hospitality and tourism: The construct, antecedents, consequences, and future outlook. The Service Industries Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2021.1929930

Gürlek, M., & Kılıç, İ. (2021). A true friend becomes apparent on a rainy day: corporate social responsibility practices of top hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current Issues in Tourism, 24 (7), 905–918.

Gürlek, M., & Çemberci, M. (2020). Understanding the relationships among knowledge-oriented leadership, knowledge management capacity, innovation performance and organizational performance. Kybernetes, 49 (11), 2819–2846.

Haugh, H. M., & Talwar, A. (2016). Linking social entrepreneurship and social change: The mediating role of empowerment. Journal of Business Ethics, 133 (4), 643–658.

Hesse-Biber, S. (2010). Qualitative approaches to mixed methods practice. Qualitative Inquiry, 16 ( 6 ), 455–468.

Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Moskwa, E., & Wijesinghe, G. (2019). How sustainable is sustainable hospitality research? A review of sustainable restaurant literature from 1991 to 2015. Current Issues in Tourism, 22 (13), 1551–1580.

Hofer, K. M., & Knight, G. (2020). International services marketing: An integrative assessment of the literature 国际化服务行业市场营销: 综合文献分析. The Service Industries Journal , 1–24.

Jørgensen, M. T., Hansen, A. V., Sørensen, F., Fuglsang, L., Sundbo, J., & Jensen, J. F. (2021). Collective tourism social entrepreneurship: A means for community mobilization and social transformation. Annals of Tourism Research, 88 , 103171.

Kalargyrou, V., Kalargiros, E., & Kutz, D. (2020). Social entrepreneurship and disability inclusion in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, 21 (3), 308–334.

Kimbu, A. N., & Ngoasong, M. Z. (2016). Women as vectors of social entrepreneurship. Annals of Tourism Research, 60 , 63–79.

Köseoglu, M. A. (2020). Identifying the intellectual structure of fields: Introduction of the MAK approach. Scientometrics, 125 (3), 2169–2197.

Lettice, F., & Parekh, M. (2010). The social innovation process: Themes, challenges and implications for practice. International Journal of Technology Management, 51 , 19–158.

Mair, J., & Marti, I. (2006). Social entrepreneurship research: A source of explanation, prediction, and delight. Journal of World Business, 41 (1), 36–44.

Martin, P. Y., & Turner, B. A. (1986). Grounded theory and organizational research. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 22 ( 2 ), 141–157.

Mehmetoglu, M., & Altinay, L. (2006). Examination of grounded theory analysis with an application to hospitality research. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 25 ( 1 ), 12–33.

Memili, E., Fang, H. C., Koc, B., Yildirim-Öktem, Ö., & Sonmez, S. (2018). Sustainability practices of family firms: The interplay between family ownership and long-term orientation. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26 (1), 9–28.

Méndez-Picazo, M. T., Galindo-Martín, M. A., & Castaño-Martínez, M. S. (2021). Effects of sociocultural and economic factors on social entrepreneurship and sustainable development. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 6 (2), 69–77.

Montgomery, A. W., Dacin, P. A., & Dacin, M. T. (2012). Collective social entrepreneurship: Collaboratively shaping social good. Journal of Business Ethics, 111 (3), 375–388.

Mottiar, Z. (2016). Exploring the motivations of tourism social entrepreneurs: The role of a national tourism policy as a motivator for social entrepreneurial activity in Ireland. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28 ( 6 ), 1137–1154.

Mottiar, Z., Boluk, K., & Kline, C. (2018). The roles of social entrepreneurs in rural destination development. Annals of Tourism Research, 68 , 77–88.

Neumeier, S. (2012). Why do social innovations in rural development matter and should they be considered more seriously in rural development research? Proposal for a stronger focus on social innovations in rural development research. Sociologia Ruralis, 52 , 48–69.

Nicholls, A. (2010). The legitimacy of social entrepreneurship: Reflexive isomorphism in a pre-paradigmatic field. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 34 (4), 611–633.

Ormiston, J., & Seymour, R. (2011). Understanding value creation in social entrepreneurship: The importance of aligning mission, strategy and impact measurement. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, 2 (2), 125–150.

Phillips, W., Lee, H., Ghobadian, A., O’Regan, N., & James, P. (2015). Social innovation and social entrepreneurship: A systematic review. Group & Organization Management, 40 (3), 428–461.

Rahdari, A., Sepasi, S., & Moradi, M. (2016). Achieving sustainability through Schumpeterian social entrepreneurship: The role of social enterprises. Journal of Cleaner Production, 137 , 347–360.

Ratten, V. (2020). Coronavirus (covid-19) and social value co-creation. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-06-2020-0237

Rey-Martí, A., Ribeiro-Soriano, D., & Palacios-Marqués, D. (2016). A bibliometric analysis of social entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Research, 69 (5), 1651–1655.

Selsky, J. W., & Parker, B. (2005). Cross-sector partnerships to address social issues: Challenges to theory and practice. Journal of Management, 31 , 849–873.

Sheldon, P., Pollock, A., & Daniele, R. (2017). Social entrepreneurship and tourism: Setting the stage. In P. J. Sheldon & R. Daniele (Eds.), Social entrepreneurship and tourism: Philosophy and practice (pp. 1–18). Springer International.

Chapter   Google Scholar  

Short, J. C., Moss, T. W., & Lumpkin, G. T. (2009). Research in social entrepreneurship: Past contributions and future opportunities. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 3 ( 2 ), 161–194.

Sigala, M. (2016). Learning with the market: A market approach and framework for developing social entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28 (6), 1245–1286.

Sigala, M. (2019). A market approach to social value co-creation: Findings and implications from “Mageires” the social restaurant. Marketing Theory, 19 (1), 27–45.

Sloan, P., Legrand, W., & Simons-Kaufmann, C. (2014). A survey of social entrepreneurial community-based hospitality and tourism initiatives in developing economies: A new business approach for industry. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes .

Tölkes, C. (2018). Sustainability communication in tourism–A literature review. Tourism Management Perspectives, 27 , 10–21.

von der Weppen, J., & Cochrane, J. (2012). Social enterprises in tourism: An exploratory study of operational models and success factors. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20 ( 3 ), 497–511.

Wang, C., Duan, Z., & Yu, L. (2016). From nonprofit organization to social enterprise: The paths and future of a Chinese social enterprise in the tourism field. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28 (6), 1287–1306.

Wu, J., & Si, S. (2018). Poverty reduction through entrepreneurship: Incentives, social networks, and sustainability. Asian Business & Management, 17 (4), 243–259.

Xin, S., Tribe, J., & Chambers, D. (2013). Conceptual research in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 41 , 66–88.

Zahra, S. A., Gedajlovic, E., Neubaum, D. O., & Shulman, J. M. (2009). A typology of social entrepreneurs: Motives, search processes and ethical challenges. Journal of Business Venturing, 24 , 519–532.

Zhang, D. D., & Swanson, L. A. (2014). Linking social entrepreneurship and sustainability. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, 5 (2), 175–191.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey

Mert Gürlek

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus

Anna Farmaki

Business School, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Levent Altinay

University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

Xavier Font

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Gürlek, M. (2022). Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism, Hospitality and Events: A State of the Art. In: Farmaki, A., Altinay, L., Font, X. (eds) Planning and Managing Sustainability in Tourism. Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92208-5_5

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92208-5_5

Published : 08 April 2022

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-92207-8

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-92208-5

eBook Packages : Business and Management Business and Management (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Book holidays and donate to charity for free!

• [email protected]
• Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm

Reservations

• 020 3092 1288

Luxury Travel

• 020 3092 2558

We’re a one-of-a-kind travel company that lets you donate a portion of your holiday price to the charity of your choice, completely free! 

As a not-for-private-profit social enterprise, we sacrifice part of our commission to allow you to support the causes you care about while you book the holidays of your dreams at prices you’ll love. We’re an independent travel agent with the ability to sell holidays from almost 200 suppliers, so we have the perfect trip to suit everyone’s needs. 

Find out more about our social purpose here.

Get inspiration from our incredible destinations and charities.

Want inspiration delivered straight to your inbox?

Spend #OneAmazingMinute in...

#oneamazingminute.

West Sweden in #OneAmazingMinute

Germany in #OneAmazingMinute

Grab life in Belize in #OneAmazingMinute

Atlantic City, New Jersey in #OneAmazingMinute

Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida in #OneAmazingMinute

Pompano Beach, Florida in #OneAmazingMinute

Virgin Atlantic: See the world differently in #OneAmazingMinute with Virgin Atlantic

Lake Tahoe in #OneAmazingMinute

Virgin Hotels in #OneAmazingMinute

Malta in #OneAmazingMinute

Can't decide where to go?

CHARITABLE TRAVEL

Fundraising Futures Community Interest Company, Contingent Works, Broadway Buildings, Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1LW. England

Putting our profit to work supporting the work of charitable causes

For the latest travel advice, including security, local laws and passports, visit the  Foreign & Commonwealth Office website .

© 2024 All rights reserved​

Privacy Overview

How to spend a perfect weekend in Moscow

Feb 11, 2020 • 5 min read

Moscow enjoyed the status of capital for most of Russia’s history, except for a relatively brief period (about two hundred years), when the Tsar and the government relocated to St Petersburg . But the Bolsheviks moved the capital back to Moscow in 1918, and today it’s an extremely diverse city. It can easily take a couple of weeks to see all of its sights, but if you've only got a weekend to explore, here's how to have two perfect days in Moscow.

Start your weekend in Moscow by acquainting yourself with top-notch Russian cuisine at Grand Cafe Dr Zhivago . Located on the first floor of the historical hotel National and overlooking the Kremlin, it’s definitely one of the best breakfast spots in the city. Try millet porridge with crawfish, pearl barley porridge with oxtail or traditional cottage cheese with raisins and candied fruit.

Set aside at least half a day for Russian capital’s major attractions: the Red Square and the Kremlin . To reach the Kremlin, cross the street from Dr Zhivago and walk through the Alexander Garden to the main entrance at the Kutafya Tower . Check out all the cathedrals, including Archangel cathedral with all the tsars’ tombs and Uspensky cathedral with medieval icons. Pause to look at the famous Tsar Bell and climb Ivan the Great Bell Tower to enjoy some great views.

Exit and walk to the Red Square through the Alexander Garden, where, if lucky, you can see the change of guard. If you’re feeling hungry, stop by the food court at Okhotny Ryad shopping complex to pick up a snack.

The Red square is dominated by four buildings of equal historical importance: the Kremlin's most famous Spasskaya (Saviour) Tower , with a clock and fourteen bells that chime national anthem four times a day (6am, noon, 6pm, midnight), St Basil's Cathedral , Moscow's best-known symbol with its multi-colored domes, Lenin’s Mausoleum , the resting place of the leader of the 1917 October revolution, and GUM , Moscow's oldest department store, topped with a glass roof, designed by one of Russia's most celebrated architects, Vladimir Shukhov. 

A guide to shopping in Moscow

Right behind the St Basil’s it is the relatively new Zaryadye Park , designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, famous for its work on the High Line in New York City. Zaryadye showcases flora from all the climate zones of Russia, which is the largest country in the world. The floating bridge at the edge of the park is one of the biggest selfie magnets in Moscow, providing spectacular views of the river and the city skyline as the background. 

Another Zaryadye attraction is a glass pavilion that hosts restaurant Voskhod  (Sunrise) – a perfect spot for your lunch or early dinner. Voskhod focuses on dishes from all fifteen former Soviet Union republics and its inside looks like a Soviet-made spaceship with great views of the Moscow river. Try Azeri home-made pasta or trout from Lake Sevan in Armenia.

After all that walking and exploring you need some quality downtime and what better way to spend it than relaxing for a couple of hours at the famous Sanduny  traditional Russian hot bath. Make sure to get a massage with birch sticks!

You might still have time to go to Winzavod Center – a creative cluster with galleries housed at a former wine factory. Galleries like XL , pop/off/art and Ovcharenko always have something on, most likely a cutting-edge Russian contemporary art exhibition. Finish the evening hanging out at one of the best Moscow bars – try socialites’ paradise Noor Electro , co-joined with one of Moscow’s avant-garde theatres or Powerhouse Moscow , located in a 19th-century mansion, which is famous for live indie and jazz band performances. Both serve great food, too. 

Power up for a busy day ahead at one of Moscow’s trendiest coffee/breakfast spots,   Nude . Located in the upscale, well-heeled neighborhood of Patriarch’s Ponds, Nude offers a wide range of breakfast dishes, including scrambled eggs, toast, porridge and banana bread. Book ahead as it might be busy on a weekend morning.

After checking out the Patriarch's Ponds, which features prominently in Mikhail Bulgakov’s perennial novel The Master and Margarita , devote the rest of the morning and early afternoon to exploring Moscow’s best museums. Depending on your tastes, pick one of the following: Tretyakov Gallery for traditional Russian art, from medieval icons to the early 20th century;  New Tretyakov for 20th century and contemporary art as well as great temporary exhibitions;  Pushkin Museum for one of the greatest collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art in the world; and the Garage Museum for some eye-opening modern-art exhibitions. 

Whichever museum or gallery you choose, be sure to go to LavkaLavka for lunch, certainly one of the best places to try new Russian cuisine, which is a contemporary reading of centuries-old recipes. It’s one of the few places to try polugar , which is, allegedly, what Russians called vodka in the 19th century. 

When you talk about Russian culture, literary giants usually pop into mind: the likes of Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Anton Chekhov. There are plenty of literary museums in Moscow, but if you had to pick one, visit Tolstoy Estate Museum , located just opposite the headquarters of Yandex, the Russian equivalent of Google. Every little detail has been restored just the way it looked when Tolstoy lived here in the 1880s–90s. 

Leave some time for exploring the Moscow Metro : every station is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Our favorites include Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya and Kievskaya. Later, unwind at one of dozens of Moscow’s craft beer places . Try  Jawsspot , named after one of the leading breweries in Russia, Jaws from the Urals region, which also serves decent pizza and salads.  

You might also like:

Why food markets in Moscow are having a moment    Russia for first-timers: dos and don’ts    Russia's best drinks and where to try them   

Explore related stories

Sustainable Travel

Jul 18, 2023 • 5 min read

How one writer followed the Silk Road from Khiva to Bukhara to Samarkand in Uzbekistan – all by train.

Jul 3, 2023 • 3 min read

Dec 29, 2021 • 7 min read

Oct 24, 2021 • 4 min read

Sep 24, 2021 • 6 min read

Sep 20, 2021 • 5 min read

Mar 16, 2021 • 9 min read

Mar 1, 2021 • 9 min read

Oct 12, 2020 • 6 min read

Jun 18, 2020 • 5 min read

About Karlson Tourism

Karlson Tourism offices :

• Images home
• Editorial home
• Editorial video
• Premium collections
• Entertainment
• Premium images
• AI generated images
• Curated collections
• Animals/Wildlife
• Backgrounds/Textures
• Beauty/Fashion
• Buildings/Landmarks
• Business/Finance
• Celebrities
• Food and Drink
• Healthcare/Medical
• Illustrations/Clip-Art
• Miscellaneous
• Parks/Outdoor
• Signs/Symbols
• Sports/Recreation
• Transportation
• All categories
• Shutterstock Select
• Shutterstock Elements
• Health Care

Browse Content

• Sound effects

PremiumBeat

• PixelSquid 3D objects
• Templates Home
• Instagram all
• Highlight covers
• Facebook all
• Carousel ads
• Cover photos
• Event covers
• Youtube all
• Channel Art
• Etsy big banner
• Etsy mini banner
• Etsy shop icon
• Pinterest all
• Pinterest pins
• Twitter All
• Twitter Banner
• Infographics
• Zoom backgrounds
• Announcements
• Certificates
• Gift Certificates
• Real Estate Flyer
• Travel Brochures
• Anniversary
• Baby Shower
• Mother's Day
• Thanksgiving
• All Invitations
• Party invitations
• Wedding invitations
• Book Covers
• About Creative Flow
• Start a design

AI image generator

• Photo editor
• Background remover
• Collage maker
• Resize image
• Color palettes

Color palette generator

• Image converter
• Creative AI
• Design tips
• Custom plans
• Request quote
• Shutterstock Studios
• Data licensing

0 Credits Available

You currently have 0 credits

See all plans

Image plans

With access to 400M+ photos, vectors, illustrations, and more. Includes AI generated images!

Video plans

A library of 28 million high quality video clips. Choose between packs and subscription.

Music plans

Download tracks one at a time, or get a subscription with unlimited downloads.

Editorial plans

Instant access to over 50 million images and videos for news, sports, and entertainment.

Includes templates, design tools, AI-powered recommendations, and much more.

Search by image

Moscow royalty-free images

1,444,618 moscow stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free for download..

Our company

Press/Media

Investor relations

Shutterstock Blog

Popular searches

Stock Photos and Videos

Stock photos

Stock videos

Stock vectors

Editorial images

Featured photo collections

Sell your content

Affiliate/Reseller

International reseller

Live assignments

Rights and clearance

Website Terms of Use

Terms of Service

Privacy policy

Modern Slavery Statement

Cookie Preferences

Shutterstock.AI

AI style types

Shutterstock mobile app

Android app

© 2003-2024 Shutterstock, Inc.

Cambodia Responsible Travel & Social Enterprise Guide

Last Updated on August 10, 2023

Southeast Asia is one of the most popular places in the world for travelers interested in food, culture, and adventure activities. Each country in the region offers its own unique history, which has shaped the modern culture and influenced its food. Cambodia is nearly always on the “must-visit list” for travelers no matter the budget. Whether you are a backpacker, mid-range, or luxury travel, Angkor Wat is one of the most marvelous man made wonders in the world.

But Cambodia is a complicated country, and responsible travelers must understand the nuances of traveling the history and culture, as well as the actions they can take to responsibly support businesses and organizations doing great work across the country to address social inequality, poverty, and more. This guide outlines the key considerations for sustainable travel in Cambodia, with a focus on the very real actions travelers can take toward being a responsible traveler when they are on the ground exploring, eating, shopping, and interacting.

Table of Contents

Responsible Travel in Cambodia

Cambodia is firmly on the Southeast Asia backpacking circuit . And like the rest of the region, there are key overarching concerns for responsible travelers. From how to ethically interact with elephants, tigers, and wildlife to avoiding human exploitation and sex trafficking, it’s a complicated topic covered in depth in the GV Responsible Travel Guide to Southeast Asia . The only broad issue not covered in that piece is instead discussed below , about not turning children into tourist attractions.

Beyond the don’ts, however, there is another side to responsible travel too, and we’re about to take a granular look at exactly  how  and  where to spend your money responsibly. Once you’re traveling through Cambodia, you’ll find dozens of opportunities to support the local population, to directly inject your tourism dollars into the local community exactly where they’re most needed.

If you’re already doing the activity—and it fits within the framework of an ethical and sustainable tourism activity—then use this vetted list of social enterprises to ensure your travel dollars are going as far as possible on the ground. This guide includes businesses offering socially responsible tours of Angkor Wat, fair-trade sourced souvenirs, meals prepared and served by former street children, and more. Each business is a social enterprise operating with a strong social mission to use tourism as a force for positive change.

What is a Social Enterprise?

A social enterprise sells good or services and uses a portion of the profits to reinvest in the local community by addressing social issues, improving locals’ quality of life, conserving natural resources and the environment, preserving the community’s cultural integrity, and more. The social enterprise holds its strong underlying mission above financial gain, investors, or traditional commercial business ideals. Instead, the common good is the primary focus and when a social enterprise succeeds, so too does the local society.

Supporting social enterprises is the core idea behind this site. Responsible travelers often align with the social enterprise business model because it’s not only good for travelers to understand a deeper story of a new place, but by supporting these businesses responsible travelers leave a place better than they found it. Our “ What is a Social Enterprise ” post shares a deeper-dive into the social enterprise business model, how to locate these businesses, and why they are a core tenet of responsible and sustainable travel.

The Best Social Enterprises in Cambodia

Battambang social enterprises.

• Jaan Bai : A social enterprise restaurant, the wholesome menu features dishes crafted with produce sourced from local farmers, neighbouring markets, and the kitchen garden at the youth centre. Associated with the Cambodia Children’s Trust, the restaurant provides skills and employment for youth in Battambang.
• Kinyei Cafe : A vibrant cafe providing space to share ideas, news, and culture. Stop for a cup of coffee and yummy baked goods, enjoy live music, admire local art, and support the many disadvantaged youths learning valuable work skills.
• Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus : Take a tour to learn about community programs at this school for disadvantaged youths. This social enterprise ( story profiled here ) uses the arts to promote educational, social, emotional, and cultural support. You can watch a more informal show here as acrobats, dancers, contortionists ,and musicians reckon with weighty themes from Cambodia’s past, or catch a professional version in Siem Reap .
• Soksabike : Educational bicycle and walking tours around rural Battambang are an ideal way to introduce yourself to the area and learn about the Cambodian way of life. Tours are led by local university students. The Lonely Tree Cafe : Enjoy lunch at the restaurant, or stop by the shop on the lower level to purchase beautiful Khmer handicrafts made by locals who are physically disabled due to landmine accidents or victims of poliomyelitis.

Phnom Penh Social Enterprises

• Connecting Hands Training Cafe Cambodia : A socially conscious cafe in Cambodia’s capital, this cafe features a delicious menu and provides learning opportunities to vulnerable young women—many of whom are victims of human trafficking, violence and abuse.
• Friends The Restaurant : Stop by for a frozen shake or daiquiri, or delicious Asian and Western-style tapas. Located near the National Museum this training cafe works to help former street children and marginalized young people in Phnom Penh.
• Mekong Quilts : Under the umbrella of NGO Mekong Plus, at the Phnom Penh location you can purchase beautiful quilts made by local women from poor and rural communities across Southeast Asia. Profits are reinvested into the communities, supporting scholarships for children, agricultural training, micro-financing programs, and more.
• Nailbar : Next door to Friends the Restaurant, Nailbar provides spa services training to marginalized youth from within the local community, and provides protection to children and youth from risks and abuse.
• The Restore One Cafe : With a mission to break the cycle of poverty, The Restore One Cafe is known for its yummy burgers. A 12-month traineeship is offered to young Cambodians and teaches them skills like customer service, English-literacy, food prep, and more.

Siem Reap Social Enterprises

• Artisans D’Angkor : A tour featuring traditional Khmer silk-making, stone and wood-carving, lacquering and painting. Learn about Khmer culture and Angkor heritage, and shop in their boutique to help support local artisans.
• Cambolac Art & Souvenirs : Discover beautiful Picture in Lacquer art and crafts that feature Angkor temples and Cambodian nature. A social enterprise focused on employing local communities, many artisans are hearing impaired or vulnerable poor populations in Angkor’s parks.
• Charity Tours Cambodia : Take a tour of the ancient temples of Angkor Wat or visit a local community and stay with a Khmer family. Whichever tour you chose, 30% of the cost goes toward community development projects in rural Cambodia: tree-planting to combat deforestation, child nutrition, and more.
• Kompong Khleang Floating Village: Community Based Tours : Visit the floating village of Kompong Khleang on Tonle Sap and learn about the community, as well as the sites. An ethical and responsible tour run by a local who reinvests profits into the community.
• Genevieve’s Fair Trade Village :Shop for beautiful handicrafts created by local artisans and craftspeople with disabilities, helping them rise from poverty and become self-sustainable. Haven Restaurant : A restaurant featuring a mix of Cambodian and International cuisine, Haven is a training restaurant that focuses on providing valuable work experience and training for underprivileged young adults who have left orphanages and safe shelters.
• Mekong Quilts : Under the umbrella of NGO Mekong Plus, purchase beautiful quilts at the Siem Reap location that are made by local women from poor and rural communities across Southeast Asia. Profits are reinvested into the communities, supporting scholarships for children, agricultural training, micro-financing programs, and more.
• New Hope Cambodia Vocational Training Restaurant ( Siem Reap ): A restaurant aimed at teaching uneducated/unemployed Khmers cooking and hospitality skills, developing their skills and confidence. Dine on a delicious lunch knowing your money is reinvested into the community to fund education programs, a health clinic, and agricultural projects. Osmose Tonle Sap ( Siem Reap ): Tour the floating village of Prek Toal and peaceful water bird sanctuary. Tours support local conservation efforts, including the water bird sanctuary as well as sustainable development in local communities.
• Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus : Watch acrobats, dancers, contortionists, and musicians at this famous circus show, which grew directly from a school for disadvantaged youths in Battambang—this social enterprise ( story profiled here ) uses the arts to promote educational, social, emotional, and cultural support.
• Rehash Trash : A unique workshop using plastic bags to create accessories, Rehash Trash creates accessories and clothing using plastic bags collected from around Siem Reap each day. Fun, funky, and good for the environment. Shinta Mani Angkor : An upscale boutique hotel, Shinta Mani Angkor actively gives back to the community. The hotel offers exceptional hospitality training for locals, and a portion of room rates go toward wells, education, school supplies, and medical care.

Other Social Enterprises Around Cambodia

• Epic Cafe ( Kampot ): Working to challenge perceptions around disability through art, Epic Cafe employs locals with disabilities. A cafe brimming with positivity and good food.
• Cambodia Rural Development Tours ( Kratie Town ): Cycle along the Mekong River, live in a local community and work on conservation projects, or savour local delicacies, each tour with Cambodia Rural Development Tours supports locals communities and environmental conservation.
• Le Tonlé TTC ( Kratie , Stung Treng ): A social enterprise focusing on providing vocational training to disadvantaged youth from Cambodia’s north-eastern provinces. Stay at the guesthouse or dine at the restaurants.
• The Small Hotel ( Sihanoukville ): A budget hotel, The Small Hotel supports the Goodwill Centre, which provides a safe place for local children, teaches life skills, promotes health and hygiene, and offers Khmer and English lessons.
• Elephant Valley Project ( Sen Monorom ): Spend a day shadowing two families of elephants through the jungle to learn from local mahouts about local conservation efforts. This program features an alternative approach to elephant care, rehabilitation, and conservation.

The database of social enterprises in Cambodia is always expanding as GV Ambassadors map the world of projects and businesses that need support from responsible travelers. Wondering how we pick a social enterprise for inclusion ? Make your time in Cambodia a better force for good by visiting and supporting businesses committed to environment, social, and community welfare.

Interested in Volunteering?

Cambodia is the country in Southeast Asia most fraught with concern surrounding international volunteering scene. Volunteering at orphanages is almost completely frowned upon at this point. Although long-term volunteers (a year or more) may find legitimate organizations working for the betterment and health of children, there is so much corruption in the Cambodia orphanage volunteer scene that it’s often best to steer well clear of it. The orphanage scams first broke into international news nearly a decade ago, and yet it’s still a very disturbing ongoing issue .

The orphan industrial complex is one aspect of the large issue of child tourism in general. Many travelers come to the region intent on interacting with local children, many of whom are in vulnerable situations primed for exploitation. Before you engage in any tour that visits a child center—schools, orphanages, or day cares—read up on the issue and research more at the Think! ChildSafe site .

In most cases, volunteers should instead look for social enterprises to support and instead  learn about the development in Cambodia before you dive into trying to help. If you’re super keen on getting involved in development in Cambodia, but you don’t have months to dedicate to volunteering, start a company like  PEPY Tours , which is a social enterprise that believes “you have learn before you can help.” While the list of social enterprises generally focus on all tourists, these multi-day tours are ideal for volunteers since your guides are super knowledgeable and can help you understand the complicated volunteering scene in the region.

So, it’s complicated in Cambodia. But if you have a minimum of three months (becoming the standard length of time required for many volunteer opportunities as organizations attempt to combat the deep issues in their international volunteering industry), you can use the GV database to  research independent volunteer opportunities in Cambodia .

Additional Resources for Responsible Travelers

If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia, or Southeast Asia in general, these travel resources are essential for travelers focused on sustainable and responsible vacations.

• The Responsible Traveler’s Guide to Southeast Asia
• Review: Travel Insurance Options for International Volunteers
• 8 Behaviors of Socially Responsible Travel
• Should You Give to Child Beggars?
• How to Pack for Long-Term & Round The World Travel
• Travel Planning Resources
• ALA Free Travel Guides for: Thailand and Vietnam  and Southeast Asia .
• Lonely Planet Cambodia
• The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook

Books to Read Before You Visit Cambodia

Understanding a country’s history and culture is a fundamental aspect of responsible and informed travel. Plus, you’ll enjoy your travels so much more when you have context to wrap around your interactions and experiences. These memoirs offer a heartbreaking and humbling entry into the country’s sex trafficking industry, as well as the legacy left by the Khmer Rouge. Bring one of these books on the plane, or download to your e-reader before you leave, you’ll be thankful for the nuanced insight you gain by better understanding the aspects of Cambodia you’re unlikely to talk about over coffee or with your tour guide.

• First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers  by Loung Ung
• When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge  by Chanrithy Him
• The Road of Lost Innocence: The Story of A Cambodian Heroine  by Somaly Mam

Shannon O’Donnell is an award-winning travel writer , speaker, and author of the acclaimed “Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook.” She’s been traveling the world for over 20 years, and is passionate about helping others use travel as a force for good.

She was the 2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year for her work in responsible travel and tourism, and has appeared everywhere from NPR to the BBC to CNN as an expert in travel and international volunteering.

John Deere will pay up to $192K for a 'Chief Tractor Officer' to travel and help launch TikTok channel

• John Deere is looking for a different kind of CTO — a Chief Tractor Officer.
• The winner of the competition will help launch the agriculture equipment company's new TikTok channel.
• Entries are accepted until April 29, with the finalists selected after May 17.

Agriculture equipment company John Deere is on the hunt for a different kid of CTO.

The brand on Tuesday announced a two-week search to find a "Chief Tractor Officer" who would create social media content to reach younger consumers .

One winning applicant will receive up to $192,300 to traverse the country over the next several months showcasing the way John Deere products are used by workers, from Yellowstone National Park to Chicago's Wrigley Field and beyond.

Related stories

"No matter what you do — whether it's your coffee, getting dressed in the morning, driving to work, the building you go into — it's all been touched by a construction worker, a farmer, or a lawn care maintenance group," Jen Hartmann, John Deere's global director of strategic public relations, told AdAge .

To kick off the search, John Deere tapped NFL quarterback Brock Purdy (who will presumably be a bit busy this Fall to take the job himself) to star in a clip in which he attempts to set out on a road trip in an industrial tractor.

Suited up in the obligatory vest, work boots, and John Deere hat, Purdy's progress is interrupted by teammate Colton McKivitz hopping into the cab while a string of messages floods in from other athletes and influencers expressing interest in the job.

The clip also represents the first time that the 187-year-old company has used celebrities to promote itself, Hartmann told AdAge.

According to the contest rules , entrants have until April 29 at midnight to submit a single 60-second video making their pitch for why they should be the face and voice of the company.

In addition, entrants must live in the 48 contiguous states or DC — sorry Hawaii and Alaska residents. Interestingly, any AI-generated submissions are prohibited, too.

Videos will be judged against four categories — originally, creativity, quality, and brand knowledge — after which five finalists will be chosen and notified after May 17.

Watch: What it takes to survive the Army's 60-hour Best Ranger Competition

• Main content