Herost, an impact platform promoting sustainable travel experiences powered by local heroes

Herost is an impact-driven brand and online platform dedicated to the promotion of sustainable, community-centered travel experiences. Post COVID-19, a new age of tourism and hospitality is coming, focused on the development, empowerment and satisfaction of communities as the main stakeholders and right holders of the tourism experience, in order to guarantee the highest level of satisfaction and fulfillment both for hosts and guests. Our Purpose: we exist to make this world a fairer place to live and to explore Our vision: to advance travel as a tool for the sustainable development and empowerment of people Our mission: we inspire travelers and engage them to connect with local hosts committed to having a positive impact on their communities and the environment through offering verified eco-friendly accommodations, activities and events. Herost intends to drive social innovation in the travel and tourism sector through: Online travel platform highlighting eco-friendly travel experiences and matchmaking hosts and travelers who share the same visions and values. 10-commitment Charter (see below) and a Scoring System featuring 20 criteria aligned with the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in order to prevent greenwashing and give our Hosts a unique access to a growing market. Consulting and training services provided by a global network of professionals actively involved in the co-creation and promotion of sustainable tourism destinations, practices and experiences. Selection of off-the-beaten-path destinations and attractions in order to disperse and balance the flows of tourists. We have incorporated Herost as a business headquartered in the Republic in May 2020. We have launched the Herost online platform in September 2020 and we are now recruiting members - Hosts and Travelers - and adding new Herost experiences, including accommodations, activities and tours. Herost intends to advance travel as a tool for local sustainable development and empowerment through promoting community-centered experiences that are economically viable, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Our main objective to maximize the benefits of travel for the local hosts, their communities and the travelers, while minimizing the negative impacts on places, people and the planet. Herost mostly focuses on three sustainable development goals: SDG8 - Decent work and economic growth SDG10 - Reduce inequalities within and among countries SDG12 - Sustainable production and consumption Our value proposition For the hosts: Recognition of their efforts toward community-based and sustainable practices Increased visibility and competitiveness; access to new markets Attract the growing segment of travelers who care For the travelers: Time saving and convenience in searching for reliable, verified eco-friendly options for accommodations, activities tours and events High-quality contents about local hosts, authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations: written, visual and audiovisual storytelling Off-the-beaten track, interactive experiences and destinations Good image and sense of belonging to the Herost community For the local communities: A complementary source of revenues and jobs opportunities for local communities with a focus on youth and women The main results and impacts we are expecting are: Increased awareness and knowledge of sustainable travel and tourism practices Advancement of sustainable, community-centered travel as a desirable lifestyle Transformation of the tourism industry and shift to a sustainability paradigm Minimization of the negative socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism Increased commitment of hosts to implementing sustainable, community-centered practices and offer truly eco-friendly experiences Development of economically viable, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable travel experiences and products Increased engagement of travelers towards selecting sustainable travel options Increased job and income opportunities for local communities in tourist destinations Fairer distribution of the economic revenues generated through travel and tourism Improvement of the livelihoods and socioeconomic status of local communities Dispersion of the flows of travelers to less visited destinations and attractions We are looking for partners and supporters for the following activities: Brand marketing and awareness-raising Development and operation of the Herost online platform Fundraising and volunteering programs Marketing survey targeting travelers and hosts Recruitment of hosts: identification, online and offline assessment Storytelling and content creation Generation of online traffic through content marketing Network and global / local partnership building Development of Herost Academy: online and offline education, knowledge sharing, training and capacity-building Herost consulting on travel marketing and sustainability