Tourism as a Force for Local Development | Travel Blog

At Voyagers, travel serves as a transformative force which produces essential changes in the world beyond simple exploration. Voyagers took their place among the initial signatories of BE IMPACTFUL which stands as a worldwide initiative directing tourism towards reforestation and biodiversity protection and educational efforts. Through close partnerships with local communities and suppliers across Ecuador, Voyagers guarantees that each journey leaves a tangible legacy, empowering families, preserving ecosystems, and keeping culture alive.

 

Table of content

• Quito’s Living Heritage at ILLA Experience Hotel 
  • NESTS – A School of Opportunity 
• Regenerative Tourism with the Kichwa Añangu 
  • Innovation in Sustainability
  • Education and Empowerment
• Zuleta – Conservation, Culture, and Community 
  • Protecting the Andean Condor
  • Education and Women’s Empowerment 
• Conclusion: A Message for You
• FAQs
  • What makes Voyagers’ approach to tourism unique?
  • How does the company support local economies?
  • What projects highlight Voyagers’ social impact?
  • How is sustainability applied in these destinations?
  • How can travelers contribute?

Quito’s Living Heritage at ILLA Experience Hotel 

 

Voyagers partners with ILLA Experience Hotel to redefine luxury through community in Quito’s historic San Marcos neighborhood. The artisans along with their families work together with guests to show traditional crafts and share ancestral recipes and transform regular life into cultural exchange activities. The tourism industry has become a driver of inclusion through its creation of $14,000 in direct income for local families during 2024.

NESTS – A School of Opportunity 

 

ILLA operates the NESTS Program which Chef Juan Carlos Donoso started in 2023. It trains rural youth in gastronomy, offering housing, meals, fair pay, and professional mentorship. The graduates return to their hometowns with new leadership skills which proves tourism education programs produce successful hospitality industry leaders. 

Regenerative Tourism with the Kichwa Añangu 

 

Voyagers operates with the Kichwa Añangu community of the Amazon who established Napo Wildlife Center and Napo Cultural Center. Their community-based tourism development model serves as a worldwide standard for regenerative tourism practices.

Innovation in Sustainability

 

The rainforest now supports tourism operations because fifty families are adopting solar power systems and modern water treatment plants which process black and grey water for sanitation. 

Education and Empowerment

 

The community supports children through Fundación Sacha Muskuy by providing school materials and secure canoe transportation for their daily travel. The morning activities run by women leaders include the ancestral Wayusa ceremony which allows travelers to participate in spiritual practices that preserve Kichwa cultural identity. 

Zuleta – Conservation, Culture, and Community 

 

Hacienda Zuleta together with Fundación Galo Plaza in Ecuador’s Andean mountains demonstrate how environmental protection exists alongside cultural preservation. 

Protecting the Andean Condor

 

The Cóndor Huasi project contains six condors which include breeding pairs that produced Jatun (2022) and Huagcha (2023) chicks. The “Adopt a Condor” program allows visitors to directly support the care and conservation of these birds. 

Education and Women’s Empowerment 

 

The foundation operates three main programs which include a community library and scholarship program and summer activities. Bordados Zuleta has trained over 300 women in embroidery techniques to protect traditional practices while building financial independence. 

Conclusion: A Message for You

 

For Voyagers, these project are not side projects but the core of its purpose. People who choose Voyagers travel become members of a movement which supports local communities and protects natural environments while respecting cultural traditions. The partnerships between ILLA Experience Hotel and Napo Wildlife and Hacienda Zuleta and BE IMPACTFUL's first signatory status show that Voyagers achieves success through its combination of luxury and responsible business practices.

FAQs

 

What makes Voyagers’ approach to tourism unique?

 

Voyagers integrates community, culture, and conservation into every trip, ensuring each traveler leaves a positive legacy. 

How does the company support local economies?

 

The company achieves this goal through partnerships with hotels and lodges and foundations which create direct income and training opportunities for local families. 

What projects highlight Voyagers’ social impact?

 

The social impact of Voyagers becomes evident through their support of three projects which include ILLA’s NESTS Program and Napo’s Fundación Sacha Muskuy and Zuleta’s Bordados Zuleta. 

How is sustainability applied in these destinations?

 

Each partner integrates sustainability into their operations through renewable power systems and water recycling and ethical hiring practices and biodiversity preservation measures. 

How can travelers contribute?

 

The travelers who participate in Voyagers’ experiences support Ecuador’s local communities and natural environments which create the country’s unique charm.