When done right, travel is the gift that keeps on giving. Show your love for what responsible travel makes possible by supporting global community tourism projects with Planeterra’s Partner Shop.
Travelling responsibly is an act of gratitude. It shows our love and appreciation for a place and the people who call it home. But what if you want to support far-off communities without having to travel across the world? G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, have an online Partner Shop dedicated to doing just that. Featuring a curated collection of items sold by community tourism projects supported by G Adventures trips, each purchase directly gives back to the people behind these incredible initiatives.
Below, we’re sharing five gifts made by different Planeterra community projects that are perfect for expressing your gratitude for travel, and for the artistry of people all around the world.
1 | Indigenous handicrafts like dreamcatchers and masks
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, located in Whistler, Canada, is home to a training program that empowers Indigenous youth to conduct tours of the centre’s museum and grounds. The space is a celebration of two Indigenous communities in the region and teaches local and international visitors about the region’s history. Choose from clothing, water bottles, and other items depicting traditional Indigenous art, handicrafts and music
To shop: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
To visit: Choose a Classic eight-day Canadian Rockies Express tour.
2 | High-quality tribal pillowcases and wall hangings
Tribal Textiles in rural Zambia is a textile workshop that reinvests 5% of each purchase back into the local community. Many of the pattern styles also give back to wildlife conservation causes in the South Luangwa valley. These beautiful designs will elevate any home and at the same time help to improve the lives of the local people creating them.
To shop: Tribal Textiles
To visit: Choose an 18-to-Thirtysomethings 20-day Serengeti to Victoria Falls Overland tour.
3 | Sustainable Costa Rican coffee
Life Monteverde in Costa Rica was started by three farming families in 1990 and has grown into a union of 12 families dedicated to sustainable coffee production, agriculture and education on sustainability. Based in Monteverde, Costa Rica, they have been a community tourism partner since 2018. Coffee purchased from their online shop will directly benefit 130 families in the nearby region.
To shop: Cafe Monteverde
To visit: Choose a nine-day Classic Costa Rica Quest tour.
4 | Cookbook capturing the essence of Vietnam
Lovers of Vietnamese food need look no further than STREETS International, G Adventures’ partner for the Oodles of Noodles tour in Vietnam. They sell their famous recipes in a cookbook which can be purchased online, as well as t-shirts and aprons. Items purchased will support STREETS’ extensive hospitality-training program working with at-risk youth.
To shop: STREETS International
To visit: Choose a 17-day Essential Vietnam and Cambodia tour.
5 | Handmade glass bead bracelets
Penduka is a social enterprise which employs individuals living with chronic illnesses, providing employment for women across Namibia who create products for their handicraft shop. The purchase of a Penduka glass bead bracelet not only provides guests with a beautiful and unique product, but also contributes towards a better life for women in Namibia.
To shop: Penduka
To visit: Choose a 18-to-Thirtysomethings 13-day Cape Town to Windhoek tour.