Global Social Tourism – Call for Partners and Participants

Global Social Tourism – Call for Partners and Participants

By 'social tourism', we mean social and business activity that:
a. builds on social connections to introduce communities to travellers and travellers to communities with the aim of providing rich social and cultural experiences;
b. develops interactions, trust, learning, and social relationships between travellers and communities; and
c. provides substantial financial and social benefits to host communities.

We aim to develop a Global Social Tourism 'brand' to identify social tourism ventures which: 

1. provide opportunities for travellers to interact with local people through social experiences, cultural events, education, volunteering opportunities, tours, accommodation, food, and hospitality;
2. provide opportunities for disadvantaged people and communities to connect with travellers and participate in global tourism markets; and
3. signal to travellers that products and services carrying the brand are generated by groups or social enterprises which benefit the producers and their communities, and operate in an ethical manner. 

Global Social Tourism  is being developed by an international working group comprising people from every continent. The Working Group is calling for expressions of interest from groups, organisations and businesses in building this collaborative venture in the following capacities (use the online form below to express your interest):
 
 a. Host Communities
 b. Social Tourism Broker/Providers
 c. Travel Agents
 d. Booking Agents
 e. Partners
 f.  Developers
 g. Supporters 

http://www.partnerships.org.au/SocialTourism0312.htm 

Individuals and organisations may also wish to contribute to the Global Working Group which is conducting its work through four sub-groups.