An important part of making tourism into an actual contributor to the local economy and community, is making sure that the money spend at the destination, actually goes to local residents and can create long term value in the community. MatKon Travel works only with local guides, destination managers, guesthouses, and restaurants and other suppliers – always fully owned and managed by local residents. Furthermore, booking platforms offering short-term housing, often makes long-term housing needed by locals, unaffordable or unavailable. In cities, this often results in exces construction, because an additional part of the city have to be build, in order to make room for both locals and tourists. For this reason, we focus on small-scale and minimalistic accommodation that locals can provide, for example as guesthouse/camping on their own properties, annexes, etc. Our partners build with durable and upcycled material.
This is also a way to counter urbanization and support the local communities which are often already based on much more sustainable lifestyles.