EXO Foundation, the non-profit arm of EXO Travel, has partnered with UnTours Foundation’s Reset Tourism Fund on a new microfinance programme, which aims to empower small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Asia to transition towards lower carbon operations, fostering a more sustainable and equitable tourism industry.
The UnTours Foundation and EXO Foundation will co-manage the partnership through the Reset Tourism Fund – Asia, collaborating on identifying and engaging with EXO Travel’s local partners, evaluating investment opportunities, and providing ongoing support and guidance to investees. These funds can be used to invest in a variety of green initiatives, including energy-efficient technologies, waste reduction strategies, and the implementation of other environmentally friendly practices.
This targeted support will help tourism businesses reduce their environmental footprint while strengthening their long-term viability. The funds will be distributed with the intention of being reinvested as returns are generated, ensuring a continuous flow of support for future sustainability initiatives.
EXO Foundation leader Charlotte Piffard said: “At EXO Foundation, we believe in the power of tourism to drive positive change. Our partnership with UnTours Foundation reinforces our commitment to fostering sustainable practices within the tourism industry.
“Through the Reset Tourism Fund, we will leverage UnTours’ expertise to address the microfinance gap faced by small and medium-sized tourism businesses in South-east Asia. We want to give the opportunity for these companies in our supply chain to invest in greener operations and contribute to a more sustainable future, in turn, contributing to reducing the overall carbon footprint of EXO Travel.”
