Think back to your best summer vacation ever. What do you remember? What stands out? For me it is the people and if I am going to be honest the food. Locals who I meet along the way shape what I see, what I eat, what I learn and ultimately what I bring back in the form of stories or trinkets and where my next trip will take me. The beauty of this is that the trip could be within my own State or to another continent. The key is about embracing the local community wherever you are.
What is Community Based Tourism
Traveling to marginalized communities to experience their customs, food, lifestyle, and set of beliefs. Locals are empowered to be stewards of their communities, creating economic growth. There is a sustainability component to preserve their ecological habitats and cultural heritage.
I remember traveling unpaved roads throughout the Hawaiian Islands to source artwork. A gallery owner introduced me some local artists and each in turn would connect me to another artist. I learned so much, enjoyed fabulous home cooked meals and barely survived treks to secret swimming holes, but that is a whole other story...
Community Based Tourism Resources
Inspired to deep dive into another culture. Want to know your money is truly supporting local communities and ecological wonders. There are over 60 Certified B Corporations related to sustainable travel.
Tell us about your next trip? Go to our social media pages Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and share your story.
Thanks for reading,
Savvy
We may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you from the links below and in the post above, but we think these companies are worth sharing.
Inspiring Reads - 
Fund literacy and protect the planet when you buy books from Certified B Corporation, Better World Books. To date Better World Books has donated over 31 million books, raised over $32 million to fund literacy programs and libraries and reused or recycled over 386 million books keeping them out of our landfills.
In Case You Missed It -
PlushBeds is committed to using certified organic and natural materials to handcraft, high quality, eco-friendly mattresses and bedding accessories. GOTS Certified, GOLS Certified, GreenGuard Gold Certified, CertiPur Certified are just a few of the third party certification standards PlushBeds adheres to. USA made in California using handcrafted techniques passed down through generations ensures that each mattress has the quality, durability and support you deserve for a superior night sleep. PlushBeds backs this up with a 25 year warranty, 100 night risk free sleep trial and free shipping.
ECOS Paints - Environmentally friendly, water based paints for your home that is non-toxic, zero VOC and hand crafted in their South Carolina plant. Exceptional coverage up to 560 sq. ft. per gallon and a transparent ingredient list make ECOS Paints the healthy home choice.
East Fork Pottery takes a stand for social equality. Partnering with community outreach organizations to stretch outside their comfort zone; paying employees a living wage, they are now working towards increasing wages to a family living wage. Receiving Carbon Neutral Certification and B Corporation Certification has inspired them to make even greater changes. East Fork's About Page was part of our inspiration for starting The Savvy Elephant. AND we haven't even touched on how stunning and beautiful their pottery is! See for yourself by clicking through to the East Fork Website.
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