Tourism Cares and UnTours Foundation have launched the Meaningful Travel Fund, a new initiative designed to provide affordable capital to small, purpose-driven tourism businesses globally.
The fund will leverage UnTours Foundation's existing Reset Tourism Fund to support businesses that are featured on Tourism Cares' Meaningful Travel Map, or those that meet similar eligibility requirements. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate strong financial performance and investment readiness.
The Meaningful Travel Map is a digital tool highlighting community-led, sustainable tourism enterprises worldwide, which helps travel professionals develop responsible itineraries with positive social and environmental impact. According to the organizations, the Meaningful Travel Fund will create a sustainable pool of investment capital that will be continuously recycled among partners featured on the map. Beyond financial support, participating businesses will receive capacity-building resources and mentorship to help scale their operations and community impact.
"Small tourism businesses are at the heart of responsible travel, but they often struggle to access funding that supports their long-term impact," said Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares. "Through the Meaningful Travel Fund, we can ensure that more capital flows directly into the hands of community-driven organizations that are making tourism more sustainable and equitable."
The fund will focus on businesses that strengthen local economies through job creation and community reinvestment; support cultural heritage through storytelling, preservation, and Indigenous tourism initiatives; advance environmental sustainability; and enhance guest experiences by connecting travelers with local communities.
"By investing in small tourism businesses committed to having a positive impact on their local communities and the wider world, we hope to inspire the tourism industry to continue aiming higher as we build the future we want to see—one that is sustainable, inclusive of all, and deeply meaningful for everyone involved along the value chain," said Jonathan Coleman, co-CEO of UnTours Foundation. "We're thrilled to partner with Tourism Cares on this important work, and welcome others to join us."
Applications are now being accepted from eligible tourism businesses. Information about eligibility requirements is available online.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Tourism Cares. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
