Bruce Poon Tip has always known G Adventures led a different path from the rest of the travel industry. He knew very early on that he wanted his company to focus on the power of travel as a positive force in the world, and he’s continued to make that point with G’s annual G for Good trip. This year, the Canadian tour operator and its not-for-profit partner Planeterra chose India and Nepal for the second annual event, which took place from May 10-20.

 

 

This information is now shown on every G Adventure tour, another commitment by the tour operator to show its dedication to sustainable tourism and also to highlight policies in regards to child welfare, wildlife preservation and environmental conservation. The company currently hosts 200,000+ travellers annually from 160 countries and knows its impact can make a difference.

Kelly Galaski, Director of Global Programs for Planeterra, happily announced the not-for-profit had met its goal of ‘50 in 5’ 18 months early. Originally projected to raise $5 million for 50 sustainable tourism initiatives in five years, Planeterra will now focus on Project 100, with 100 projects around the world and 90% of G Adventures groups visiting a community tourism project that supports women and children, indigenous cultures and/or environmental/ wildlife conservation.

 

 

G Adventures launched tours in India and Nepal over 12 years ago. New additions to its portfolio in 2019 include wellness tours in both countries, plus India is included in the TailorMade program, G Adventures’ new private travel option.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in September 2020, G Adventures’ commitment to community based tourism continues to be its guiding force.

 

Doing good in India

G for Good kicked off in India’s second most populous city, New Delhi. It’s a quick exit from the bustling Indira Ghandi Airport (which is expanding its terminals and adding a new runway in 2021) into the dusty and warm air.

Pre-arranged transport is the best way to start navigating the busy streets in a metropolis of over 25 million. Offered to all G Adventures travellers arriving in New Delhi, Women on Wheels provides airport transfers as well as safe taxi service for local women.

 

 

Created by the Azad Foundation, Women on Wheels teaches women important business skills, how to speak English, and how to drive and keep passengers safe. Planeterra has supported the organization since 2014 and, thanks to the endless stream of travellers, has seen the company grow to employ 191 employees.

Another partnership G Adventures and Planeterra can boast about is with the Salaam Balak Trust, which offers City Walk tours of New Delhi that are included in several G Adventures itineraries and led by former street kids. With India having the highest concentration of street children in the world, the Trust rescues kids in need and offers them housing, education, life skills and employment.

For example, 18-year-old Annie was rescued from the streets and has been leading walking tours for three years, explaining how kids end up on Delhi’s streets as well as sharing historical facts and anecdotes about the city’s neighbourhoods. She’s now focused on going to university and her goal of becoming a travel agent.

 

G Giving Back

Poon Tip had been seeing the burnout rate of his Chief Experience Officers, and wanted to figure out how to maintain a connection to these experienced employees. So he took the money earned from his book ‘Looptail' and created the G Values Fund. Through the fund, employees can apply for a lowinterest loan to launch a tourism-related business.

 

 

In New Delhi, G CEOs Abhi Chetri and Govind Jha have opened Kitchen With a Cause, employing young people who have been victims of homelessness, abuse and trafficking, including youth from the Salaam Balak Trust. Opened in 2018, the restaurant has followed the success of Best Bite Peru and Hanoi Food Culture, other G Values Fund recipients.

 

Rebuilding Nepal

Kathmandu has been at the crossroads of travel for centuries. Situated on an ancient trade route, the mix of Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas has been a lodestone for travellers, especially those who plan to trek to Everest Base Camp or in the Himalayas.

In 2015, Nepal suffered a devastating earthquake and G Adventures appealed to its travellers and raised $200,000 for disaster relief. “It was a perfect example of how we transcended from travel to a discussion of a higher purpose with our customers,” said Poon Tip.

 

 

Four years later, rebuilding historic sites in Kathmandu and neighbouring cities is still underway, with restoration happening slowly to retain UNESCO World Heritage status. Travellers can still see many of the sites while on tours of Kathmandu’s popular Durbar Square and Old Freak Street, but there are also new ways to experience Nepali culture, including through women-led initiatives.

 

Sisterhood of Survivors

Nepal currently faces a depressing statistic: over 7,000 women and girls are annually trafficked out of their country. Working with Planeterra, SASANE: Sisterhood of Survivors has aimed to reduce these numbers and inn 2013, it won The G Project, which issued a challenge to find one idea that could change the world.

Winning $25,000, SASANE funded its paralegal training program and is now working with Nepali police to identify and rescue trafficking victims. SASANE also offers educational support and employment for its “sisters”, which include teaching Nepali cooking classes to G Adventures groups and creating handicrafts to be sold to visitors.

 

 

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