Why Travel With G Adventures

G Adventures formerly known as Gap Adventures is the largest adventure tour company on the globe who’s primary goal is to change the world by way of making travel sustainable through their passengers. By the year 2020, it has been said that there would be over one trillion people traveling the world, which tells us transportation will be cheaper and that people will travel more often, which is a good thing. Did you know that each $100 USD spent on vacation by a tourist, only $5 stays in a developing country? That means that 95% of all that money goes into someone else’s pockets – more than likely a more successful chain store or restaurant founded in a more developed country and that nothing is going back to the local economy and that local people aren’t benefiting from this massive growth! Ever notice how rather than promoting small local jewelers, cruise ships only mention (or more specifically partner up with) particular BIG chain jewelry stores like Diamonds International who’s headquarters is located in New York and has well over 100 locations worldwide? It is staggering how cruise ships today can accommodate thousands of people, but yet only manage to send them to established jewelry stores founded outside of underdeveloped islands and towns and yet not make a real difference in that local economy where people there can really benefit… This is where G Adventures makes a real impact on the economy of a deteriorating village or culture within an underdeveloped country through their incredible collection of G Adventures Tours…

In the mid-1990s the catch phrase “Eco Tourism” was born and with it came a cute slogan, “Leave Only Footprints, Take Only Pictures”, but what did that really mean? Because of its confusing message, the International Ecotourism Society gave Ecotourism a real straightforward definition: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people”. Wait… Not only are we traveling through natural untouched areas, but we’ll be making a difference in not only the environment, but also with local people? That’s Right, and this is where G Adventures excels…

There is a tipping point already happening in the environment with people using energy-efficient light bulbs, using bins to separate their glass/plastic from paper to recycle, purchasing footwear made of recycled material, driving energy-efficient vehicles, and as such living more sustainable lives. BUT, then they’re taking coach tours and cruises that provide nothing of the sort and find themselves thinking, “Why am I here & what am I doing to leave this place and these people better off than when I arrived?” These are all great questions, but then with who is this particular traveler better off with? A cruiseline that sends it customers to large corporate jewelry stores in underdeveloped islands in the Caribbean, but based out of New York City? The sustainable customer will not feel at home unless he or she is doing something that’s in direct proportion to what they’re doing at home while vacationing. A cruiseline can’t provide that. In fact, some tour operators go only so far as to plant a tree with some of the profits made. G Adventures is the only operator providing this particular segment of consumers with what they really need, and if you feel or know you are a part of this segment, then G Adventures is exactly what you’re looking for as they love changing people’s lives, lead with service, do the right thing, embrace the bizarre, and create happiness & community. If you feel any or all of these describe you, then you’re in the right place and there’s no need to look further.

In 1990 Bruce Poon Tip founded G Adventures with two (2) credit cards. Since then G Adventures has grown to become a leader in not only adventure travel, but a leader in leading the industry in sustainable tourism & community development initiatives. Three years after founding G Adventures, Bruce founded Planeterra, which is a non-profit foundation whose sole purpose is to make a positive difference in the lives of people around the world. There are four (4) funds that make up Planeterra and they are:

Peru is G Adventures biggest country in terms of tourism, and just to give you an example of how large their impact has been in this beautiful country, there is a permit for every single person who leads tours throughout the Inca Trail… At the end of the year, Peru charts all the Inca Trail permits, and G Adventures controls over 30% of the world market share of Inca Trail Permits. As I’m sure you can imagine, having partners in the field is imperative for G Adventures’ business model, which is all about sustainability & community… G Adventures’ first partner in South America was Delphine, which is from a tribe in Ecuador and who has been leading groups for over 20 years. Bruce’s first exchange with Delphine was simply a visit to his village in the rainforest to meet his family and tribe. During the 20 years of Delphine working with Bruce, he and his tribe have managed to build a school where now multiple rainforest tribes matriculate at in order to learn to read and write. This is the entire basis of G Adventures’ philosophy, which is: Travel > Connect > Give Back. Did you know that there is zero employment for women on the Inca Trail? Because of this, younger generations of Inca Trail women are leaving their tribe or community to find work in larger cities, which deteriorates any chances of the culture ever moving on. The culture in these villages consists of weaving – generations upon generations of weaving. Rather than watching this deterioration happen, G Adventures in partnership with their foundation, Planeterra founded the Women’s Weaving Coop, which keeps sixty women weaving all day teaching the younger generation how to weave while G Adventures bring their passengers through to consume all their products in order to sustain their traditions and stories. You may be asking, “who’s funding this?” We, the travelers! Our small but meaningful donations to the Planeterra Foundation funds the Women’s Weaving Coop, a 100 year lease of a home for Children, employment for over 200 locals who run G Adventures operations on the Inca Trail, and for 60 doctors & nurses to restore sight for over 300 Tibetans in 10 days.

G Adventures is imploring us to understand that as world travelers, we must face facts that these particular areas of the world are in dire need of social assistance whether it be in the form of education, employment, environmental, or healthcare. What G Adventures offers is not only an opportunity to experience the world to the fullest, but also the opportunity to give back. Regardless of where you’re from, your community can’t be facing the severe challenges these communities, people, & cultures are facing on the daily, which brings us to the four funds shown above. Choose your ideal G Adventures Tour, get to know each of the funds, and choose the one that’s drawn to you or that you feel most passionate about.

Here’s some food for thought, of the 40 poorest countries in the world, tourism is second in revenue only to oil. So, slowing or stopping travel will only affect the most in need. For G Adventures achieving a higher purpose by engaging their customers way beyond their own product is what they strive for. With Passion & Purpose, anything is possible.

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