Impact Tourism offers the possibility to realise companies’ social responsibility also through incentive and teambuilding programmes, where participants can co-create a social imprint and measurable social impact in a local environment, in this case in Ljubljana and across the different parts of Slovenia.
Following the model of social entrepreneurship, Impact Tourism is developed and implemented by Liberty International and Without Profit – Innovative Social Services.
Boštjan Horjak
Boštjan Horjak, Director of Liberty International Adriatic, proudly explained that “Social responsibility is one of the topics which we have been developing for a few years now and a new product, Impact tourism, has emerged. There are a series of programmes that are directly related to the natural, cultural and social environment. Through them we spread awareness, respect local values and pursue fair trade.”
“Part of the earnings will be given to organisations that are striving for a better social environment and to organisations fighting for the preservation of cultural and natural heritage”, said Mr. Horjak.
In Ljubljana, an array of programmes is available, but two deserve special emphasis:
A charity auction with a dinner in a restaurant called Druga violina (the Second Violin), where adults with moderate mental and other disabilities participate in the regular processes of work, particularly in serving customers. A dinner in the Second Violin restaurant, where a charity auction is held, represents a donation to the Dolfka Boštjančič Care Centre, aimed at the further integration of its protégés into society. Such an experience thus creates a subtle harmony between culinary experiences and socially responsible behaviour.
The second programme is called Senses are Truly Useful, where the participants’ senses are constantly tested. During a folklore show, a touch will start this working and some basic dance steps are taught; smell joins the fray at a wine tasting in a wine shop in the centre of Ljubljana; vision is tested through the eyes of the best Slovenian photographer and hearing is assuaged with the gentle sound of the zither, while the taste buds will unmistakably tell you that you are sampling a traditional Carniolan sausage. Moreover, participants will be challenged to describe the beauties of Ljubljana to those who cannot see, convey the beauty of music in a suitable way for those who cannot hear and adapt dance steps to those who cannot walk.
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A wide range of other socially responsible and green products can be found on www.impact-tourism.net.
