TUSOCO is the Solidarity and Community-based Tourism Network of Bolivia. In 2004 they started with eight entrepreneurships, today there are 26 all across the national territory. Most of them are leaded by farmers and indigenous communities which see solidarity tourism as a complementary source of income, and as a tool to safeguard their culture and traditions.
Tourists take part of this cultural exchange through a home-stay based experience, while their money directly finances improvements in the living standards of their hosts. TUSOCO is a non-for-profit association, which offers also training and support to the communities in order to improve the quality of the services provided. In 2008, TUSOCO opened a tourism agency in La Paz, which commercialises the solidarity tourist packages.
Community Wilka Chinkana in La Isla del Sol
Related articles:
http://www.tusoco.com – Official website
http://www.sumak-travel.org – Tour operator specialised in Community-based Tourism
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Related articles: Prainha do Canto Verde, in the Brazilian nordeste.