P1T-a game changer

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People-first Tourism Inc. (P1T) is a for-profit, S-Corp company with a social mandate led by an interdisciplinary team at North Carolina State University whose goal it is to use the power of cellphones to connect the socially conscious tourist with the struggling micro-entrepreneur. The global reach of tourism has made it important to many countries around the world, including the United States. Tourism brings much needed income to communities but often brings unequal distribution of income, changes in the social and cultural health of the community and the potential for environmental degradation. People-First Tourism provides an opportunity for what we call micro-entrepreneurs, often rural, experiencing vulnerable livelihoods to connect directly with tourists wanting a genuine experience at the grassroots level unmediated by the industrialized international tourism industry that objectifies heritages and local identities and transforms people into passive tourees.  People-First Tourism engages individuals and communities globally and locally (glocally) and leverages local knowledge for socio-economic change. To be sure, P1T is not trying to be the next Uber that runs roughshod over the needs and desires of people on main street, but rather, we intend to work with those who need assistance to get into the rapidly changing tourism economy where access to the Internet and the tourists who use it are essential. We use sophisticated technology behind the scenes, but our technology for the micro-entrepreneur is not complex, requiring only a simple cellphone.  However, we also have a broad network of partners we call empowerment agents who accompany aspiring entrepreneurs in their local community.  P1T is attempting to change the way travelers reach those who most need their support. Let us know how we can help you become a part of this new and powerful way to intercept the tourist market for the benefit of those who most need it.

Tim Wallace, PHD
Associate Professor of Applied Anthropology
NC State University

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