ResiRest is transforming how communities benefit from tourism by connecting travelers with local families for authentic, home-cooked meals. Founded in 2016 by Geert Kroos, this social enterprise operates in 49 countries and 400 communities, offering a way for travelers to step beyond typical tourist experiences and engage with local culture in a meaningful way. As a B2B platform, ResiRest bridges large-scale travel organizations and local families, ensuring safe, high-quality experiences while providing direct income to underrepresented communities. By partnering with NGOs and local coordinators, ResiRest makes it possible for families to participate in tourism without requiring financial investment, internet access, or formal hospitality training. Through its fair pricing model, 85% of the income from each experience goes directly to host families, making ResiRest one of the most equitable tourism platforms available. Whether sharing a meal with a family in Morocco, Vietnam, or Peru, travelers are directly contributing to economic empowerment and cultural preservation while gaining a deeper, more personal connection to the places they visit.
The ResiRest Origin Story
For Geert Kroos, travel has always been about human connection. His outlook on tourism changed in the 1980s after a trip to Jamaica, where he and a group of friends traveled by bike and lived alongside locals. They worked in fields and factories, sharing meals and stories with the people they met. When they returned home, they overheard other travelers talking about their experience in Jamaica, which revolved around resorts, beaches, and curated excursions. The disconnect was clear. While he had experienced the real culture and daily life of the people, most visitors never stepped outside the tourist bubble. That realization stayed with Geert as he watched the industry shift toward mass-market tourism. Pre-packaged experiences and standardized itineraries made it increasingly difficult for travelers to truly engage with the places they visited. He saw how local people were often excluded from the economic benefits of tourism, even though they were at the heart of what made a destination unique.
With a background in accountancy, HR, and business consultancy, Geert combined his professional expertise with his passion for people-first travel and launched ResiRest in 2016. His vision was simple: make it easy for travelers to connect with local families in a way that benefits both sides. Under his leadership, the platform has grown into a global network that supports thousands of families and works with over 100 travel organizations, all while staying true to its mission of fair and inclusive tourism.
How ResiRest Is Making A Positive Impact
ResiRest proves that small, meaningful interactions create lasting impact. By connecting travelers with local families, it ensures tourism dollars go directly to those who need them most. Host families in underrepresented areas gain a reliable income without needing accommodations, internet access, or formal training. Each family is guaranteed at least one booking per week, improving quality of life, supporting education, and fostering financial independence. Women benefit significantly, gaining opportunities in hospitality, business management, and leadership. ResiRest also directs travelers to lesser-known destinations, easing pressure on overcrowded tourist spots while bringing economic opportunities to overlooked communities. By keeping experiences affordable, it makes cultural exchange accessible to more travelers.
Beyond home dining, ResiRest offers “Change of Scenery” cultural immersions, co-created with local communities. Projects like “The Ladies of Mucuyche” in Mérida, Mexico, developed with the V Social Foundation, empower women through gastronomic and cultural tourism, creating sustainable livelihoods while preserving traditions. To track its impact, ResiRest is launching an AI-supported data system to measure income generation, traveler engagement, and cultural exchange outcomes. After pausing research during the pandemic, 2024 marks the first full year of impact reporting, with automated insights available to travel partners worldwide. As a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and the Dutch Register of Social Enterprises, ResiRest remains committed to equity, transparency, and sustainable tourism.
How You Can Support ResiRest
ResiRest is making travel more meaningful by connecting travelers with local families through food and culture. By booking an experience, you support a company that ensures tourism dollars go directly to communities, creating sustainable income and preserving traditions. You can also help by sharing their mission, following them on social media, and choosing travel experiences that prioritize cultural exchange and fair tourism.
