The EXO Foundation was created by EXO Travel to support sustainable development projects in tourism destinations through community donations. It funds a variety of projects focused on education, health, the environment, and economic development. Projects include supporting cultural centers in Laos, ecotourism experiences owned by local villages, and Travelife certification for sustainable practices. The foundation relies on donations from EXO Travel clients and aims to integrate ethical practices within the company and give back to communities impacted by tourism.

1. CSR in Tourism:
EXO Travel & The EXO Foundation

2. • The mission: Sustainable development of
destinations by minimizing negative
impacts and maximizing the positive for
the benefit of all stakeholders
• Our commitment: Being a responsible
travel company who cares about how our
business impacts the people and places it
touches
• Support of different projects: Develop
responsible activities and actively support
a variety of projects that are making a real
difference in the communities
• Community based tourism: Support
community based tourism projects with
local organizations as part of our attempt
to spread revenues to the most remote
and poorest communities
Responsible Travel with EXO

3. Why EXO Foundation?
Exotissimo’s previous involvement in
charitable actions:
• Cyclone Nargis Relief Efforts in 2008
• Biggest charity initiative in
Exotissimo’s history
• Collected almost 200,000$ of
donations
In 2011: Exo Travel decision to create a
separate foundation to:
• integrate ethical positioning within
the EXO Travel brand
• give back to communities
• redirect clients’ donations

4. Using tourism to make destinations better places for people
to live in and for travelers to visit.
By:
• Sharing: Support sustainable human, social and economic
development of local communities in the destinations
• Promoting Responsible Travel within EXO Travel: Advise and
accompany Exotissimo to become a leading responsible TO
• Advising clients
The Mission

5. Relying on Donations:
• Mainly from EXO Travel Clients (1 $ per Traveller) and Clients’
donations
• Bearing most operational costs for office, staff and communication
materials (website, brochures, etc.)
• Planned Opt-in option to donate 1$ per pax on invoices to travel
agents
• transparency policy including annual financial reports
 Total of US$ 98,716 in 2012 and US$ 88,508 in 2013 were donated
to various projects, an increase of 30% and 16% respectively on the
2011 total of US$76,007
Funding Sources

6. ”Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish
and you feed him for a lifetime”
• Purpose of project; contributing to sustainable development,
NGOs, small enterprises
• Preference for small, local organizations and projects
• Upon provision of a coherent activity & financial reports
• Priorities for EXO Foundation funds:
– supporting responsible tourism initiatives, and waste management in
tourism destinations
– support creation of economic activities for disadvantaged people
Project Selection

7. Operating Range
Education Health & Sanitation Fight against abuse &
human trafficking
Environmental
protection
Economic development Cultural revival

8. Projects in Laos
• Lao Kids
• COPE
• Traditional Arts & Ethnology
Center
• AFESIP
• Vientiane Rescue Team
• MAG
• Lone Buffalo
• Big Brother Mouse
• Free the Bears

9. Case Example: TAEC in Luang Prabang
• Developing engaging and professional permanent and
temporary Exhibitions
• Fostering learning and awareness through Education and
Community Outreach
• Documenting masterpieces of material culture in our
Collection
• Supporting sustainable income-generation opportunities
through our Advocacy and Livelihoods programmes
• Conducting and facilitating Research in and with ethnic
communities.

10. Case Example: The Akha Experience
• Authentic ecotourism trek in the
Northern Laos area surrounding Muang
Sing
• Owned by the villagers of 8 Akha villages
and aims to improve their well-being, as
well as to increase their incomes
• Offers a valuable tool for environmental
and cultural awareness for guests and
locals
• For each tour, 75% of the money goes
directly to the villagers and the village
development fund, part of which is used
for trail and forest maintenance.

11. Case Example: Orchid Trek
• Genuine and authentic ecotourism trek
close to Vientiane, Tours lead by the villagers
of Ban Hatkhai village
• Unique project to raise environmental and
cultural awareness as well as encouraging
orchid preservation and conservation
• Strong involvement of the villagers, creating
income and employment
• For each tour, a part of the money goes
directly to the villagers and the village
development fund. Additionally, part of the
money helps maintain the walking trails and
forest cleanliness.

12. Travelife Certification
Training, management and certification initiative for
tourism companies committed to reach sustainability
 Growing consumer and business demand for
sustainable products
 Establishing consistent sustainable business practices
including products, how to monitor and manage
impacts and how to support our suppliers on their road
to sustainability

13. Travelife Certification
• Organizational governance – practicing accountability and
transparency at all levels of your organization
• Human rights – making special efforts to help people from vulnerable
groups
• Labor practices – providing safe and healthy conditions for workers;
engaging in two-way discussions to address workers’ concerns
• Environment – identifying and improving environmental impacts,
including resource use and waste disposal

14. Travelife Certification
• Fair operating practices – practicing accountability and fairness in
dealings with other businesses, especially your suppliers
• Consumer issues – providing healthy and safe products, giving accurate
information, and promoting sustainable consumption
• Community involvement and development – getting involved in the
betterment of the local communities that your organization operates in;
being a good neighbor

15. Thanks for your
attention!