G Adventures Highlights New Female-Led Journeys

This International Women’s Day, G Adventures is shining a spotlight on women, showcasing new female-led journeys developed in partnership with its Planeterra foundation.

Planeterra and G Adventures work together to create and integrate community development projects around the world. The organization works to kickstart the programs that are later integrated into the tour operators’ itineraries branded as “G Adventures for Good.”

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“Our goal is to initiate, invest, cultivate and incubate a number of women-run social enterprises, cooperatives and training programs that give women a hand up in their society, not a hand out,” said Adrienne Lee, director of development at Planeterra and a key advisor to G Adventures, who has seen how tourism positively impacts women.

“This allows for long-term job training and meaningful careers that create futures of self-sufficiency instead of dependency,” added Lee. “When a woman can take care of herself, she cares for her family, her children and her community’s health and education. It’s the ripple effect of responsible tourism, which we love to see.”

READ MORE: G Adventures Announces 2018 Ambassadors of Change

Four new social enterprises are being highlighted on International Women’s Day, March 8. They span the globe, from Sri Lanka to Namibia.

“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the progress we have made and continue to commit to the advancement of women in tourism,” said Lee. “These newest social enterprises are cornerstone examples of how female-focused travel can strengthen communities. We hope they inspire even more travelers to join us.”

Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe

The Sthree craft shop and cafe is run by the Women's Development Center and empowers women and at-risk youth through livelihood campaigns. Planeterra made a $30,000 investment in the project that went to renovating the workspace and transforming it into a commercial enterprise. There are more than 100 female entrepreneurs directly involved and benefitting from these efforts.

Today, travelers can visit on G Adventures tours to Sri Lanka, including the 12-day Discover Sri Lanka tour with National Geographic Journeys. Visitors have high tea and participate in a handicraft-making demonstration.

Penduka

Windhoek, Namibia, is home to a restaurant and handicraft workshop run by women who are at risk through poverty, disability, ill-health or lack of education. The project, which employs 30 women and benefits more than 300, helps them develop skills in textiles, beading and pottery.

Several Namibia itineraries visit Penduka, including the Classic 12-day G Adventures tour: Cape and Namibia Adventure.

Cop(m)adam

This enterprise takes place in Ayvalik, Turkey, and is designed to leverage the talent within the local culture and provide environmentally-impactful opportunities for women.

The project began as an experiment and is now a cooperative made up of 40 women who create one-of-a-kind accessories using recycled materials.

Visitors traveling to Turkey with G Adventures have the chance to stop by on itineraries such as the Classic 15-day Absolute Turkey tour.

Nyamirambo Community Tour

In Rwanda, travelers can visit the Kigali community of Nyamirambo, where the Nyamirambo Women's Center provides women and girls with education and training programs.

Six female guides give tours of the township and introduce guests to women who have benefitted from the training. Guests also sample local foods and see the business initiatives developed at the center in action.

Itineraries such as the National Geographic Journeys nine-day Gorilla Discovery tour include a visit to Nyamirambo.