We’re thrilled to partner with regenerative tourism fund, the UnTours Foundation. Supporting and investing in small, progressive businesses that create jobs and support fair trade, economic justice, and a green economy, UnTours have just surpassed its Phase One fundraising goal. Now, they’ve raised $1.5 million from a coalition of key partners in the travel industry – including Skyscanner – to support changemaking small tourism businesses.
Travel opens mind and breaks down boundaries and can also bring a myriad of economic benefits. However, often these benefits need to be better spread across communities and countries. Our support for UnTours Foundation will allow the fund to provide access to the kind of flexible and affordable capital that innovative entrepreneurs need to grow and expand their positive impact in communities across the world.
It’s one way we at Skyscanner are working to help drive tourism to lesser-known areas, away from ‘hotspots’. Other avenues include an ‘underrated destination’ destination inspiration feature in our Everywhere search, and working with tourism boards on tourism dispersal across countries.
The Reset Tourism Fund has already deployed over $700,000 in capital, making 30 investments to a diverse range of small tourism businesses that prioritize accessibility, inclusion, community impact and environmental regeneration.
On reaching this fundraising goal, Jonathan Coleman (Co-CEO of the UnTours Foundation), says: “We are so proud to have created something that has already achieved resonance across the tourism industry. Our incredible partners have confirmed that there is real interest in supporting the tourism businesses who make up the backbone of the industry and who represent the brightest future of travel.”
