The leading online marketplace for tailor-made tours, Evaneos, and the non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting community tourism, Planeterra, are to collaborate to promote a fairer way of travelling with local communities. As a result, they will train and finance a community tourism project in Madagascar.

Evaneos, a European leader in responsible tourism, has been at the forefront of creating authentic and responsible trips for travellers for over 15 years. Through its platform, Evaneos has built a trusted network of local agencies worldwide, ensuring that at least 85% of the amount of each trip goes directly to local actors.

“Community tourism lies at the heart of this partnership. By partnering with Planeterra, Evaneos aims to harness the power of community tourism as a force to break down barriers and promote social equity. Together, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the destinations where Evaneos’s local partners operate, supporting communities while promoting a better way to travel. This partnership isn’t just about financial support; it’s about creating lasting change,” Planeterra said in a press release.

Through grants, technical training, and mentorship, Evaneos and Planeterra are empowering communities to become self-sufficient and resilient. By integrating community tourism experiences into Evaneos’s offerings, travellers can engage with local cultures in meaningful ways, enriching their travel experiences while supporting community development.

This initiative empowers women, preserves cultural heritage, and fosters economic and social growth within the local Malagasy community, showcasing the immense potential of community tourism.

Razafindrabe Collections

The Malagasy community tourism company that has partnered with Evaneos and Planeterra is Razafindrabe Collections.

Due to low levels of education in Madagascar, many women lack the skills to apply for formal jobs to support themselves and their children. Razafindrabe Collections was founded to address this.

This women-led social enterprise is on a mission to create sustainable livelihoods for women by promoting traditional Malagasy raffia craftsmanship.

They strive to empower women economically and socially through craftmaking while also preserving Madagascar’s cultural heritage. Thanks to Razafindrabe Collections, many women who have had no previous formal education can now use their natural talents to create unique handicrafts and learn different entrepreneurial skills.

Like many tourism enterprises, the pandemic led to a decline in visitors, resulting in a slow recovery. Consequently, their sole source of income currently comes from online purchases.

“Together with Evaneos, we want to assist the women of Razafindrabe in bridging the gap between virtual sales and direct interaction with travellers by creating different experiences, such as a cooking class to learn about traditional methods of cooking Malagasy food, as well as a hands-on raffia-making experience,” Planeterra added.

As a result, the partnership aims to help Razafindrabe diversify its income, foster cultural exchange, and empower the women artisans involved. This will also lead to opportunities for their own education and that of their children, enable infrastructure upgrades, and offer financial freedom.