Tourism today has evolved from just some sightseeing activity well-to-do individuals engage in as a means of leisure. Unlike back in the days where tourism mostly benefited just the tourists and essentially exploited the local community, today we see an observable shift towards tourism that is designed to benefit not just the tourists but also the local community. This is where impact tours come in.
So What Are Impact Tours?
To put it simply, impact tours are tours designed to produce a positive effect in the local communities where they take place. Unlike traditional tourism, where the focus is typically associated with sightseeing and leisure, impact tours focus on making a sustainable, long-term positive impact on the tourist destination.
With impact tours, tourists are encouraged not to treat the destination like something to simply exploit but instead to view them as opportunities to interact with the native culture and foster growth. Instead of visiting tourist destinations to simply “have a good time” and engage in “fun activities”, impact tours focus on activities that benefit both the tourist and the local community. Activities typical to this type of tourism include:
- Assist in developing primary schools in undeveloped communities.
- Help build houses in undeveloped communities.
- Support local craftsmen by purchasing some of their handmade crafts.
- Support the community by taking part in environmental cleanups of the forests and beaches.
How They Help Everyone Involved
Impact tours are designed to be beneficial for everyone involved. And by this, we mean both the tourists AND the local communities where the tourism takes place. But how exactly does impact tourism make this happen? Well, there are a few ways this sort of tourism offers mutual benefits to both parties:
Economic Growth for Local Communities
Impact tourism is heavily focused on local businesses and, in so doing, gives back to the community. Unlike with traditional tourism where large hotel chains and international travel agencies consume the bulk of the tour’s expenses, impact tourism keeps things local; most of the money is spent on local business, and as such, most of the proceeds of the tour remains in the community to enrich and sustain it long after the tourists have returned home.
For tourists, this means a more authentic and immersive experience. By trading the soulless, generic ambiance of corporate-owned hotels and restaurants for the more lively and welcoming atmosphere of family-run guesthouses, locally-owned eateries, and traditional homestays, you get to experience the culture of the tourist destination without any of the corporate filters associated with traditional tourism.
Cultural Preservation
Traditional tourism tends to dilute indigenous cultures to make them more palatable for mass consumption. It is not uncommon for rich and complex traditions to be reduced to mere spectacles for commercialization or entertainment purposes. With impact tours, however, special care is taken to preserve and celebrate the indigenous culture in its purest form, not just to keep with a narrative but to honor the true essence of the community’s heritage.
For tourists, this means a rare opportunity to experience the raw culture of the tourist destination. Rather than observing a performance tailored to outsider expectations, tourists are invited to engage with the culture in its raw, most authentic form.
Community Development
Unlike traditional tourism, where activities are designed to be fun, activities for impact tours are designed to positively impact the tourist destination. Instead of simply engaging in recreational activities, impact tourists actively engage in activities that contribute to the development of the community through skill exchange, educational initiatives, and volunteer activities.
For tourists, this provides the opportunity to also learn new skills from locals or brush up on already existing skills. Rather than just being a passive visitor, you become an active participant, both learning from and giving back to your tourist destination.
Conclusion
Impact tours are more than just vacations for the travelers, they are a powerful way to give back to the world while exploring it. By choosing to go on impact tours, you help uplift communities economically, protect the environment, and preserve the cultural heritage of the local population, and do all this while gaining meaningful experiences.
At Medellin Tours, we offer impact tours within and around Medellin. Our tours are designed to create meaningful connections between visitors and local communities, ensuring that every experience doesn’t just benefit the traveler but also contributes to the well-being of the people and places they visit. During our 1 Day Tour of Medellin, you will be supporting various foundations through your ticket purchase.
