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Tourism Fund Fuels Eco-Restoration in Asia
6 Apr
Summary
- Fund invests $25,000 in Indonesian and Philippine eco-tourism businesses.
- Investments target environmental restoration and community development.
- Early results show significant positive impact on conservation efforts.
The Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund has launched its second investment cycle, supporting small and medium-sized tourism enterprises in Southeast Asia. Indonesian business Livingseas Asia, which combines dive tourism with coral reef restoration, and the Philippines' Bambike Ecotours, focusing on bamboo agroforestry and regenerative tourism, are the latest recipients. Each secured USD 25,000 in loan capital to bolster their impact-driven projects.
Livingseas Asia plans to use its investment to construct staff housing near its Bali coral restoration site. Bambike Ecotours will develop Ligtasin Cove in Batangas, a bamboo-built destination featuring coastal ecotours and a nursery for reforestation. These initiatives aim to deepen environmental restoration efforts and create local employment.
Early results from the fund's initial investments, six months post-funding, highlight successes in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Organizations like Local Alike in Thailand, Ecohotels in the Philippines, and Sejiva in Indonesia have expanded regenerative tourism activities, onboarded local farmers, and promoted conservation initiatives.
The fund, part of Agoda's sustainability strategy, channels resources to enterprises integrating environmental restoration, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development. This initiative extends Agoda's commitment through its Eco Deals program, partnering with WWF-Singapore to support conservation and destination-level resilience.
