Travel4Impact 4th edition SMEs welcome
What do a blockchain solution for community-based travel, a booking platform for locally owned accommodations, and a marketplace for cultural artisans have in common? They are all part of the 41 sustainable SMEs selected for the 4th edition of Travel4Impact. This social innovation program, proudly supported by Amadeus, celebrates and empowers these entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing the tourism and travel industry. Let's meet the SMEs driving this transformation.
What is Travel4Impact, and why do impact-driven SMEs matter?
Launched in 2021 in partnership with IE University, Travel4Impact was designed to support SMEs in the travel and tourism industry. Given that SMEs make up 80% of global businesses in this sector and face numerous operational challenges, Amadeus is committed to helping them grow and amplify their positive social and environmental impact. We recognize our responsibility to ensure travel continues to contribute positively to the world, a goal only achievable through collaboration. Travel4Impact, our flagship social innovation initiative, drives innovation and boosts the positive impact of SMEs that are already making a difference in their communities.
What is new in the 4th Edition?
This 4th edition marks a significant milestone as our largest cohort to date, featuring participants from all over the world. For the first time, we are welcoming participants from the Americas, making the program truly global. We have 14 SMEs from APAC, 12 from the Americas, 6 from Africa, 5 from Europe, and 3 from the Middle East. In terms of business activity, almost half of the cohort includes travel agencies and tour operators, 20% are destination experiences, and 10% are accommodation services, in addition to booking platforms, and aggregators.
Who are the selected SMEs, and how do they contribute to sustainable travel?
Each SME shares a common goal: creating a positive impact on destinations and travelers while driving the transformation of the travel and tourism industry toward sustainability. Amadeus is delighted to present them categorized by the main impact area:
Preserving the environment and its biodiversity through travellers’ awareness and sustainability practices like reforestation, waste management or plastic elimination:
Generating local employment and equitable economic growth for the host communities and businesses:
Protecting cultural traditions and lifestyles while ensuring ethical cultural exchanges and boosting a deep understanding of local people and places:
Supporting community driven initiatives through enhancing employability, skills development and provision of resources:
What does the Travel4Impact journey look like?
The 41 selected entrepreneurs will now embark on a learning and sharing journey supported by IE University. During the six-month Launchpad phase, participants will receive training designed to strengthen their business models and enhance their sustainability strategies and practices. This year, they will be attending a total of 15 workshops aimed at fostering a shared understanding of sustainability, learning from best practices to create tangible impact, and exchanging experiences through collaboration and networking spaces.
We are confident that the newcomers will achieve their learning goals and add value to our Travel4Impact network. In the previous edition, 80% of participants reported significantly improving their strategic understanding of sustainability, and 60% planned to undertake a joint project with another Travel4Impact SME.
Once participants complete the Launchpad phase, the SMEs will become members of the Travel4Impact Network which is a collaborative platform and community where entrepreneurs share best practices, support one another, collaborate on projects and gain access to visibility and support opportunities provided by Amadeus.
Amadeus is looking forward to starting this fourth edition looking to enhance the 4th cohort of SMEs’ growth pathway and we encourage our new participants to embrace the sustainability journey ahead, so that together we can continue making travel and tourism a force for good.
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