“We all believe that the future of travel must be more sustainable, equitable and community-centered, yet small businesses that are leading the way have long lacked flexible and affordable funding to help them grow. The Reset Tourism Fund will bridge this gap and is a key development in driving our industry into a better, more impactful future. ” -Shannon Stowell, CEO, Adventure Travel & Trade Association
The UnTours Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the Reset Tourism Fund with our founding partners Expedia Group, TUI Care Foundation, Adventure Travel Trade Association, Flywire and B Tourism, providing much-needed funding to travel entrepreneurs and start-ups around the world. The UnTours Foundation and funding partners have committed more than $540,000 in funding, and the effort is already halfway through the $1 million goal for Phase 1. Funding partners interested in making a philanthropic investment in the fund are being sought to help with the first round of fundraising.
What is the Reset Travel Fund
The UnTours Foundation created the Reset Tourism Fund to identify emerging entrepreneurs whose businesses best represent a better future for tourism and provide them with the flexible capital they need to take their businesses to new levels of scale and impact. As a result, we will see greater benefits for host communities, more quality jobs for more workers, better management of natural and cultural resources, fairer opportunities for underserved travelers, and better access for all travelers. meaningful experience.
“The Reset Tourism Fund helped GoPark Safaris finance our first two hybrid vehicles, the first step in our goal of moving our entire fleet to greener options. The flexible funding provided has been an important catalyst for our next phase of corporate growth and environmental sustainability. “
-Gloria Nyamweru, Founder and COO, GoPark Safaris
To date, the Reset Tourism Fund has deployed more than $160,000 in capital to seven travel-related companies in the United States, Mexico and Kenya. The Reset Tourism Fund will invest $10,000 to $100,000 in companies at the forefront of building a more sustainable and community-enhancing industry.
The fund will provide support to businesses that successfully integrate climate resilience and sustainability into their operations, become pillars of their communities, create quality jobs, place racial and gender equality at the forefront of their business models, and deliver meaningful travel experiences Flexible funding is available to all travelers, especially those historically underserved by the industry.
Investments take the form of low-interest loans, income-based financing and equity.
“The UnTours Foundation has a 30-year history of providing flexible financing to world-changing entrepreneurs on the front lines of the fight against poverty, injustice and the climate crisis. The Reset Tourism Fund is an exciting extension of this effort, with a specific focus on tourism, an industry we know best as owners of our own sustainable and certified B Corporation travel company. ” Jonathan Coleman, Co-CEO, UnTours Foundation
Who can apply?
Businesses applying for investment from the Reset Tourism Fund must be directly related to the tourism industry. Examples include but are not limited to:
● Hotels, B&Bs and/or other accommodation
● tour guide, receptionist or facilitator
● Restaurants or catering where tourists are the main customers
● Museums, events, and other event spaces cater to visitor needs
● tourist traffic
● B2B – Serving businesses in the travel industry
Your business should focus on rebuilding the future of tourism by adhering to community-enhancing and environmentally sustainable business practices. We support businesses that align with the Future Travel Guiding Principles and/or B Corp Principles. Opportunities from all geographic regions and countries will be considered.
What does the business get in return?
● Flexible and affordable funding to grow their business.
● Technical assistance and guidance from the UnTours Foundation, our founding partners and advisors to grow the business and increase its positive impact.
● Access an extensive network of other funders, potential collaborators/partners and advisors through the UnTours Foundation, Fund Partners and UnTours Foundation Advisors.
Who can potential funding and industry partners talk to?
Any company, foundation or individual interested in joining as a grant partner should contact Jonathan Coleman, Co-CEO, UnTours Foundation, directly at [email protected].
funding partner
Expedia Group – Built on the core belief that travel is a force for good, Expedia Group helps people experience the world in new ways and create lasting connections. Expedia Group provides industry-leading technology solutions to drive the growth and success of its partners, and through its family of brands (Expedia, Hotels.com. and Vrbo).
TUI Cares Foundation – The TUI Care Foundation builds on the potential of tourism, supporting and launching projects that create new opportunities and contribute to the prosperity of communities in tourist destinations around the world. Connect holidaymakers with good causes, provide education and training opportunities for young people; promote the protection of natural habitats and marine environments; and help local communities grow sustainably and benefit from tourism.
TUI Care Foundation forms strong partnerships with local and international organizations to create meaningful and lasting impact. This independent charity was founded by the world’s leading travel company TUI and is headquartered in the Netherlands.
industry partners
ATTA – The Adventure Travel Trade Association is the world’s largest network of adventure travel leaders, comprising 30,000 individual guides, tour operators, hotels, travel consultants, tourism boards, destination marketing and management organizations, outdoor educators, equipment companies and tour operators Media with a shared belief and commitment to sustainable tourism.
Flywire – Flywire is a global payments enablement and software company focused on delivering the world’s most important and complex payments through flexible solutions, enabling international payments and receivables processes through a seamless transaction experience.
B Tourism – B Tourism is a global network of certified B Corporation travel companies and conscious tourism organizations taking collective action for environmental and social justice.
About the Untours Foundation
The UnTours Foundation grew out of sustainable travel company UnTours. UnTours is famous for being the world’s first certified B Corp. Since 1993, 100% of UnTours profits have been donated to support the foundation’s work. In 2016, the foundation became the sole shareholder of UnTours. The UnTours Foundation provides flexible and affordable investment in world-changing businesses, using profits from UnTours and donations from generous funding partners and donors, providing nearly $10 million to more than 300 businesses over its 30-year history loans and equity investments.
