Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurs Build Strong Livelihoods and Great Vacations

By Rebecca Regan-Sachs

Looking for a unique summer getaway? These entrepreneurs are building sustainable livelihoods and eco-friendly travel businesses.

Summer is here in the northern hemisphere. And for many, that means a season of travel and vacation.

But tourism does more than open new worlds and perspectives to travelers. It’s an important part of the economy in many countries, and accounts for one out of every 10 jobs worldwide.

For many in lower-income countries, the tourism industry can provide a steady and meaningful livelihood, enabling a better standard of living and more opportunities for working families.

Eco-Friendly Travel Builds Livelihoods in Brazil

In Brazil, for example, tourism contributes about 8% of the country’s GDP. And when it comes to ecotourism, the area of Minas Gerais is a standout destination, offering stunning waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails.

Elizabeth Matilde Diana Gomes, known as Dona Beth, knows this better than anyone. Living close to the picturesque Três Barras Waterfall, she decided to open a restaurant and inn, while also leading tours to local attractions.

To grow and improve her business, Dona Beth joined an entrepreneurship training program run by TechnoServe, in partnership with Anglo American Brazil, the Anglo American Foundation, and the Inter-American Development Bank. The program collaborated with over 4,000 Brazilian entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, promote local economic development, and create jobs.

Building a Sustainable Tourism Livelihood

“The courses offered by TechnoServe in our community strengthened small businesses,” said Dona Beth. “My business gained greater visibility, and as an entrepreneur, I felt more confident welcoming tourists.”

Dona Beth’s Kayua Inn and Restaurant offers more than just a place to stay. Guests enjoy homemade meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, warm hospitality, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the region’s culture and natural beauty. Her local tours specialize in the “Rota das 10 Cachoeiras” (@rotadasdezcachoeiras)—a 10-waterfall route developed by the local community as a tourism experience. Dona Beth also serves as its legal representative.

With the new business skills she acquired through TechnoServe training, Dona Beth’s business has seen an increase in visitors. She is reinvesting this additional income to upgrade her facilities and continue improving the guest experience.

“[The training] sparked the entrepreneurial spirit in many people—especially women—who are now finding dignified opportunities to earn a living,” she said. “It’s a collective transformation of growth and hope.”

Tourism Entrepreneurship Supports Ocean Conservation in Kenya

Emmanuel Chai Chengo lives in Mombasa, a historic city on Kenya’s scenic Indian Ocean coastline. Tourism is an important part of Kenya’s economy, with the number of annual visitors growing rapidly in recent years.

Emmanuel decided to make the most of this opportunity by opening a small beach shop that rents equipment, offers swim lessons, and provides marine tours. He had no formal business training, but said, “When you want to start a business for the first time, you must be brave.”

He initially struggled to find capital and navigate the permitting and licensing systems necessary to operate an enterprise on the beach. Soon, he heard about a program that helped entrepreneurs—particularly young adults like him—to build sustainable businesses in Kenya’s coastal communities. A partnership between TechnoServe and the Mastercard Foundation, the BlueBiz program works with thousands of small business owners to grow their livelihoods in ways that support ocean conservation.

Thriving from the Ocean

For Emmanuel, the business lessons were transformative. “I was trained on how to do budgeting. I now understand the meaning of losses and profits,” he said. He also learned how to build an online presence and attract customers through digital marketing. “Now people out there can find me,” he explained. “My business is known far and wide.”

In a country whose ocean ecosystem is threatened by erosion, pollution, and overfishing, Emmanuel has become one of a new generation of Kenyans whose livelihoods are tied to a healthy marine environment. Many participants in the BlueBiz program have developed similar eco-friendly enterprises, such as plastic waste recycling, mangrove restoration, sustainable aquaculture, and seaweed harvesting.

Emmanuel now employs three people and says his business is growing rapidly. “[The training] has helped me a lot,” he shared.

Safari Entrepreneur Grows Her Dream Business in Botswana

Over a million tourists visit Botswana each year to explore its stunning natural features, including the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert. Joyce Chika was one of the many Botswanans employed in the tourism industry, working as a travel agent for various service providers. But she had bigger dreams.

Joyce soon launched her own company: the No. 1 Lady Tours and Safaris, inspired by the popular book series set in Botswana, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” But despite her steady flow of clients, she had no formal business structure, financial records, or tour vehicles of her own; she relied entirely on third-party operators, earning only a small commission. Without proper financial documentation, she was unable to secure loans to expand her business.

Determined to grow her business, Joyce began an entrepreneurship training program offered by TechnoServe, a collaboration between the Government of Botswana, Debswana, the De Beers Group, and Anglo American. She acquired skills such as record-keeping, financial planning, and customer segmentation.

Mastering the Art of Tourism Entrepreneurship

With proper financial records, Joyce could demonstrate her business’s growth, and soon secured funding from financial institutions. She also gained the confidence to position her business as a strong competitor in the tourism industry.

Within two years, revenue from the No. 1 Lady Tours and Safaris increased by over 900%. Joyce reinvested her income to purchase two safari vehicles, a boat for river safaris, and multiple mini buses for group transfers. She expanded her services to include multi-day tours, game drives, and boat safaris along the Chobe River, employing multiple staff members and attracting tourists from around the world.

Remembering her own startup experience, Joyce now mentors and subcontracts to young people starting their own tourism businesses, helping them build experience and credibility in the industry. She also pays for the education of her grandchildren and a young man in the community whose dream was to study culinary arts. 

In the future, Joyce hopes to expand her business into a full-service experience that includes accommodation, dining, and curated tour packages. She also aims to train and employ more young people, ensuring that tourism in Botswana continues to grow with strong local leadership.

“We grew up believing that men are the leaders,” Joyce shared. “But I knew that I had to take my business seriously, and over time, people started respecting my work.”

Sustainable Livelihoods, Sustainable Summer Destinations

These entrepreneurs around the world are showing that there doesn’t have to be a trade-off between tourism and environmental concerns. Learning sustainable tourism management practices and acquiring the business skills to grow their enterprises, thousands of people, such as Dona Beth, Emmanuel, and Joyce, are earning a good living while introducing others to their special corner of the world.