Amica Travel

We create travel packages to go even further: We also develop original and authentic travel concept to be directly in touch with local populations. Far from the main touristic sites, we focus on areas (often, small and remote villages) where the traveller will discover the life of the residents without staging or embellishments. The traveller sleeps directly at a home-stay or authentic accommodation facilities that the villagers and we have rehabilitated. During the day, the traveller discovers the activities of the village (crafts market, agriculture, festive evenings etc) moreover, he participates in the family life if he wants to (cooking, shopping market etc.). In 2011, we have multiplied these projects that are very expensive. Our support actions follow these three steps: 1. Meeting with families and rehabilitation of facilities: To set up such projects, we have been working with families and communities. Then we have invested to rehabilitate their homes to be able to welcome travellers (renovation, sanitation etc.). The idea is not to revolutionise their houses, but simply make them more comfortable and healthy for both our travellers and families. To have the minimum hygienic conditions is not yet accessible to all in some remote areas. In order to do all this work, we directly use the local workforce in order to avoid unnecessary intermediary. 2. To work directly with local populations: Obviously, each host family is paid. They receive both monthly supports from Amica Travel whatever the number of visitors is to maintain and make their situation evolve. Secondly, for each traveller, they are paid like would be a traditional hotel or restaurant. In addition to the host families, we involve others in the village, artisans showing their skills, farmers, the elders who know the history and many stories etc. 3. A budget with an entrance fee to involve the whole community: In addition to the amount given to each host family, we pay for every traveller an entrance fee, which goes directly to the community. This budget provides a fund for development projects that are dear to them and that involve everyone in the project. Our goal is not to favour one family over another within the same village, it is necessary that everyone benefits. Therefore, we wanted a collective and fair redistribution, it is the objective fulfilled by this admission fee. Amica Travel is committed to report each year-end on its website a summary of the projects of the year. With an explanation in detail of the budgets gathered and actions carried out.