Tourpreneur Tour Business Podcast Tourism as a Force for Good: The Untours Foundation's Mission
Jun 19, 2025
Jonathan Coleman from the Untours Foundation and Zakia Moulaoui Guery of Invisible Cities discuss tourism's potent role for social good. They explore how the Untours Foundation invests in travel ventures that spark positive community change. Zakia shares her work training people affected by homelessness to become tour guides, shedding light on their hidden stories. The conversation highlights the importance of partnerships, community engagement, and innovative funding strategies, pointing towards a future where tourism uplifts and empowers marginalized voices.
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Untours Foundation Origin Story
- The Untours Foundation began from a travel company started in the 1970s focused on slower, culturally immersive travel.
- Its founder lived simply and redirected company profits to create an impact-focused foundation decades ago.
Power of Small Tourism Businesses
- Tourism accounts for 10% of global GDP, jobs, and emissions, with 80% being small businesses.
- Supporting impact-focused small tourism businesses is key to making positive and scalable community impact.
Criteria for Supporting Businesses
- Look for tourism businesses with real impact embedded in their DNA and sound financial models.
- Assess both the social impact and business viability before investing or partnering.