Mon-Fri: 09:00 -18:00 Sat: 09:00 - 17:00 Sun& BH: Closed
Mon-Fri: 09:00 -18:00 Sat: 09:00 - 17:00 Sun& BH: Closed
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Here at Travelsphere we are passionate and driven to make our holidays a force for good. In partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, we support a number of local projects and social enterprises around the world by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate some of the profits from our tours to support these initiatives, so it’s great to know that when you choose us you are helping to make a positive impact through travel.
The Planeterra Foundation is the leading non-profit using community tourism to change lives. Planeterra helps local organisations and communities use tourism as a catalyst to improve people’s lives, protect their natural environments, and celebrate their culture. Put simply, it is a better kind of tourism – improving the lives of community members as they provide travellers with better experiences. Planeterra is more than just an agent of change and driver of communal well-being, they are tested and trusted builders of self-esteem and pride. By visiting a Planeterra project you can be assured you are helping to uplift communities through tourism.
By supporting an ever-growing network of community tourism enterprises around the world, Planeterra ensures money from tourism is increasingly remaining in the hands of local people. As a result, economic opportunities are created, places are protected, and cultures are celebrated through travel.
Help Planeterra strengthen community tourism around the world when you book Travelsphere by donating today. Making a donation is easy – simply tick the box in the checkout when you book online or opt in to donate when booking over the phone. A £5 donation will be made to Planeterra and what’s more, we will match every donation that is made. Together we can help unlock opportunities for communities to thrive through tourism.
The Oodles of Noodles project is a social enterprise which helps at risk youngsters. It acts as a curriculum module for the youth to practice their English language and presentation skills - two key qualities that are a necessity for success in the hospitality industry. Students lead a noodle-making class with travellers and teach them about the twenty-six different types of noodles available in Hoi An, Vietnam.
The Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op supports a community close to the Inca Trail, funding training programmes to help bring back weaving traditions that have been lost over generations, and helping communities benefit from the tourism industry.
The DinéHózhó project ‘Native Grill’ is a food truck run by a local Navajo family. DinéHózhó aims to provide economic opportunities to communities in Navajo Nation Indigenous-owned businesses connecting them to the tourist industry.
The Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour is a successful tourism and agriculture co-op which has created many employment opportunities for members of the community as well as connected local farmers and artisans with a market to sell their products.
Beit Khayrat Souf is a women-owned café. It uses its meal experience and cooking class to boost women's economic empowerment, breaking the cycle of unemployment for women while also providing a platform for local youth to volunteer and learn about diverse cultures.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center aims to share their cultural knowledge and inspire understanding of the Lil’wat and Squamish Nation cultures, as well as provide youth in the region with opportunities to train in the hospitality industry through the on-site museum and cultural tours.
Salaam Baalak Trust is an organisation that offers safe housing, counselling, education, and support to over 5,000 children in New Delhi. The organisation manages five safe homes across the city and help at risk youth learn new skills, and receive support for scholarships, job placements, and other resources.
The Ubuntu Team, empowers communities and creates jobs through social impact businesses, including the Ubuntu Café. The team supports the Ubuntu School, which provides therapy, education, and vocational training for children with special needs.
The Sthree Café works with women in the local community to increase their income, strengthen their financial independence, and help them become economically empowered. The Sthree Café employs local women, providing them with a fair wage and the skills and training needed to work in the service sector.
Shedia – meaning “raft” in Greek – is a not-for-profit organisation that works to employ and empower people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion in Greece. They have a vast number of programs which includes a café-bar-restaurant in the historical centre of the Greek capital called Shedia Home.
Travel experiences owned, led, and run by communities - non-profits, cooperatives, and social enterprises. At its very best, it breaks down barriers to engage underserved communities in meaningful, life-changing ways.
There are some forms of tourism where no money reaches the hands of local people. Planeterra works to break this cycle by supporting and uplifting community tourism. By strengthening community tourism around the world, economic opportunities are created, places are protected, and cultures are celebrated through travel.
Our community partners are local nonprofits, grassroots community organizations, and existing social enterprises. All of whom are working directly to empower women, youth, rural and Indigenous communities, or the environment through travel.
Examples of what the result of that support looks like in communities around the world:
Women starting their first jobs outside the home
Children getting increased access to education
Youth gaining skills to help them find long-term employment
Women taking on leadership roles in their communities
Communities earning a sustainable income through cultural celebration
Communities promoting a sustainable environment for generations to come
Your donations will help fund the future of community tourism. It will power Planeterra’s vital initiatives to empower communities worldwide by providing essential tools, access to resources, and opportunities. From educational webinars on financial literacy and marketing to pivotal seed grants, your donations can be the catalyst communities need to thrive.
Planeterra is a registered nonprofit in Canada and a Charity in the US, however, they are not registered in the UK and therefore Gift Aid does not apply in this instance.
Explore enchanting Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific. A destination where incredible highlights include Tortuguero National Park which looks out to the Caribbean Sea, the mighty Arenal Volcano and lush Manuel Antonio National Park. Breathtaking views of primary forest and incredible wildlife are the norm here, so look out for sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and more. You'll journey by boat amongst jungle-canopied canals, view the Arenal Volcano, and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to the incredibly vocal howler monkey and finish off with a relaxing stay on the Pacific Coast.
If you're searching for a paradise island teeming with wildlife, incredible landscapes and a colourful culture, head to Sri Lanka.
This fascinating introduction to the diverse landscapes of Vietnam also includes a visit to Cambodia's Angkor temples.
Vietnam's stunning Halong Bay, Cambodia's magnificent Angkor temples, Mount Phousi in Laos and a cruise of the Mekong to Thailand – this epic journey includes so much.
Marvel at the jaw-dropping scenery in nine of America’s national parks on this incredible adventure through seven different states.
Discover historic and biblical sites, explore the 'Lost City' of Petra and soak up magical desert landscapes as you immerse yourself in Jordan's treasures.
From east to west, this ultimate trip across Canada takes in all the must-see highlights and includes a breathtaking journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train.
This is an all-out exploration of India, from the Golden Triangle in the north to Kerala's peaceful backwaters in the south.
Venture beyond the Golden Triangle to discover the cultural highlights of India’s Rajasthan.
At Travelsphere we believe it is our responsibility to give back to the communities we travel to. Customers can make a voluntary donation of £5.00 per passenger travelling. 100% of this donation will be passed to Planeterra. This donation will be added at time of booking. All donations will be matched by Travelsphere up to the value of £5.00 per passenger.
This can be removed until 14 days before departure, by request and you can let us know via enquries@travelsphere.co.uk. Requests to remove or change donations will be refunded until this time. Requests to change or remove donations after this time cannot be made.
Minimum donation is £5.00 per booking. The donation value can be increased, please ask at time of booking or let us know via enquries@travelsphere.co.uk.
If you cancel a booking, or your booking is cancelled by us, then your total donation will be refunded to you. If you would like to continue with your donation, rather than receiving a refund please do let us know at time of cancellation. Otherwise, it will be refunded to you.
Planeterra is a registered nonprofit in Canada and a Charity in the US, however, they are not registered in the UK and therefore Gift Aid does not apply in this instance.
