meetyourhost.com new thinking, new travelling

social businessplan #1 | introduction

meetyourhost | www.meetyourhost.come: info@meetyourhost.com | m: +31 624762467

Meetyourhost (MYH) is a promising social business currently starting up. Businessplan #1 introduces our product, organisation and strategy.

If you like to know more please read MYH businessplan #2, informing you about our marketing, funding and finance.

We’d love to hear your reaction!Regards! team@meetyourhost.com

traveller

Sacha / Los Angeles (US)

Going to Kenya

Meet your host,new thinking, new travelling

Do you enjoy travelling to far away places? On meetyourhost you can soon meet local tourism entrepreneurs from developing countries. In an easy way. Without intervention of foreign ‘experts’ or travel organisations.

So, the local hotel owner, the indigenous guide, the community-based ecotourism project, and the family running the traditional restaurant, will directly present themselves to you.

host

Urpi / restaurant owner

Dos Rios, Equador

MYH businessplan #1

1. organisation what we do key factsfounding partnersprogress until now 2. strategy visionmission core valuesaims & objectives

Contents

Wow!

what we do key facts founding partners progress until now

MYH |organisationWho are we ?

1.

First sketch of MYH website | Design: Meetyourhost

MYH | what we do

First sketch of MYH website | Design: Meetyourhost

Our idea is simple

MYH connects travellers to developing countries with local tourism entrepreneurs. By creating an unmediated, self-organising, online platform, and mobile apps.

Firs

t ske

tch

of M

YH

mob

ile a

pp |

D

esig

n: K

VD

Ref

ram

ing

& M

eety

ourh

ost

First sketch of MYH website | Design: Meetyourhost

Why? Both travellers to developing countries, and local tourism entrepreneurs (we call them ‘hosts’) like to get in touch.

Let’s have a look at their needs, and at how MYH meets them?

First sketch of MYH website | Design: Meetyourhost

Is the experience of local life the highlight of your holiday? Are you no more attracted by Lonely Planets or glossies from tour operators? Do you like to travel mindful in a poor country?

On MYH you can meet local hosts living in your far travel destination. They get you off the beaten track, provide the best inside information there is, help you to plan your trip, and show you how to support local life. Going local has never been so easy!

who likes to go local?

Are you a traveller

Hella / Göteborg (SE)

traveller

Going to Indonesia

‘I met Dorje on MYH. He’s a very nice guy :-) I’m going to climb a mountain with him, and stay in his sister’s B&B.’ Lalo / Barcelona (ES)

traveller

Going to Nepal

´In developing countries, I want to support local people – and not multinationals. MYH makes this easy and fun!’

Do you find it hard to reach the far-away traveller? Is it difficult to start-up or develop your own tourism activities because the local business is dominated by multinationals?

MYH offers you a powerful platform to promote your services directly to your clients. But it’s more than that. On MYH you can find anything you need to develop your small or medium tourism business.

in a developing country?

Are you a local host

´If we´re not in the Lonely Planet, how do tourists find us?´

Amita / lodge owner

host

Deurali, Nepal

‘How can we promote our community-based tourism project?’

Koinet / cultural tours

host

Nyari, Kenya

Namaste!

Hola amigo!

10 AM?

Here’s the recipe of your favourite dish!

Of course ;-)

How’s your son?

Hola!

Sounds good!

Thanks!

A male camel?

Do you like your new brochure?

Hola amigo!

10 AM?

Here’s the recipe of your favourite dish!

Of course ;-)

Our dream

MYH will become a worldwide community of hosts from the south, and their visiting travellers.

Creating a new kind of tourism together –grassroots tourism, based on a bottom-up, 2.0 operating model.

Contributing to the humanization of the biggest and fastest growing industry in the world.

‘At MYH local entrepreneurs get the possibilityto introduce themselves directly to travellers worldwide. This gives them a chance to develop their business, and it gives us a chance to support the local economy.’Koen Stuyck / Spokesman WWF Belgium / Sustainable tourism expert

MYH | progress until now

First reactions from experts

‘An interesting web 2.0 project. Platforms like this are successful if there is mutual trust between travellers and entrepreneurs. I like to support MYH with my expertise, experience and network.’Marije van Zomeren / 100% Zomer Ltd / Sustainable tourism entrepreneur / CSR consultant / former director oneworld.nl

‘At MYH local entrepreneurs get the possibilityto introduce themselves directly to travellers worldwide. This gives them a chance to develop their business, and it gives us a chance to support the local economy.’Koen Stuyck / Spokesman WWF Belgium / Sustainable tourism expert

‘An interesting web 2.0 project. Platforms like this are successful if there is mutual trust between travellers and entrepreneurs. I like to support MYH with my expertise, experience and network.’Marije van Zomeren / 100% Zomer Ltd / Sustainable tourism entrepreneur / CSR consultant / former director oneworld.nl

‘MYH is going to be a great success. Because it unites important developments: respecting other cultures and sustainability.’ Frans van der Reep / Senior strategist, Getronics Consulting / Professor Digital World, InHolland University Rotterdam

‘This is what the world of tourism needs: true interaction and encounters with local people. For travellers, this is often the highlight of their holiday. And if the local population is involved, tourism can help reduce poverty and protect nature.’ Charlotte Louwman - Vogels / Fair Tourism Foundation

‘MYH is a great initiative because it connects people from different worlds. These encountersmake travelling special. Also it helps you spend your money in the right way.’ Kees van Teeffelen / Publisher of travelguide series ‘Te Gast In’

Wow!

key facts founding partners progress until now

MYH |organisationWho are we ?

2.

Company

MYH is registered as a single person company.As soon as we have funded the start-up, a private limited company will be founded.

company name meetyourhostcurrent legal structure single person companyregistration number 24468116address Burgemeester Meineszlaan 86b 3022BN Rotterdam Netherlandstelephone +31 (0)624762467email info@meetyourhost.comwebsite www.meetyourhost.com

MYH | key facts

host

Nur / homestay & horse rental

Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

MYH | founding partners

Yvon, initiator and strategy partner

Hello, my name is Yvon Gijsbers. Originally I’m an industrial design engineer, specialized in innovation management. In 2006 my focus shifted from products to ‘Third World’ tourism. I like to develop and implement innovative services that humanize this powerful business.

One cannot start a complicated social enterprise like MYH all alone. That’s why I’m assembling a founders team of passionate professionals. Let me introduce them.

initiator

Yvon Gijsbers

creative / visionary / designer

yvon@meetyourhost.com

+31(0)624762467

yvon

For a CV please check LinkedIn

Emilie, sustainable tourism partner

Emilie works as a freelance responsible tourism professional. Besides being a MYH partner, she is a consultant for Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, and a Travelife auditor. She studied Responsible Tourism Management at the Leeds Metropolitan University, graduating in 2011.

MYH is firmly grounded thanks to Emilie’s update and practical knowlege. Also, she connects MYH to important players in responsible tourism.

partner

Emilie Hagedoorn

feet-on-the-ground / networker

yvon

For a CV please check LinkedIn

emilie@meetyourhost.com

+31(0)654724104

Eva, organizing partner

Eva is an enthusiastic young professional. She is involved in several projects in the fields of international development, sustainable tourism, social media and culture. Eva studied Sustainable Tourism Management at the Wageningen University, graduating in 2009.

As a founding partner, Eva has a creative and solid allround input. Once MYH has started up, she will organize publicity and events, and manage our external relations.

partner

Eva Gies

social / responsible / organizer

yvon

For a CV please check LinkedIn

eva@meetyourhost.com

+31(0)628545640

MYH network | possible partners

Organisations in the field of sustainable tourism and international development seem to like MYH. These organisations are interested in a partnership or intend to support us. This is just the spontaneous start of our network!

Hivos | International developmentHivos intends to support and promote MYH.Read their ‘statement of intent’ on meetyourhost.com

Triodos Foundation | BankTriodos likes MYH! Read their recommendation on meetyourhost.com

Enviu | Sustainable entrepreneurshipRead their recommendation on meetyourhost.com

Tripbod.com | Travellers platformWe are preparing an exciting partnership with Tripbod. ‘Tripbods’ are local intermediaries planning trips.

Travel Foundation UK | Sustainable tourismThis infuential NGO will support MYH by providing addresses of recommended local SMEs.

Go Truly LocalSouth African NGO’s | Sustainable tourismWe are talking with these great local NGO’s about partnerships.

Papua New Guinea

These organisations are interested in MYH. Negotiations to be continued.

kick off mission core values aims & objectives

MYH |strategyWhat are our guiding principles?

2.

‘The truth is that industry and governments continue to maintain or expand tourism infrastructure and facilities, probably to ‘compensate’ the ‘lost paradise’ but failing to acknowledge that with the construction and operation of each new place, more energy, more land, more supplies, more cheap labor is needed. And ultimately, human rights are negatively impacted.’ (...)

‘Being aware that the discussion on human rights in tourism is young, i.e. not even one generation ‘old’ (...) it might take a few more decades to reach out in a truly ‘all stakeholder’ approach on human rights. And desirably change the notion of tourism all in all.’

Julia Schonharl, Human rights and tourism, who cares and who should care, travelmole.com, 03 January 2012

‘Yet if it is to pose a real challenge to the status quo, tourism alternatives must be part of a wider debate as to how to construct an alternative ‘new world order’ in which people themselves, rather than outside interests, determine and control their lives.’

Anita Pleumarom, The Political Economy of Tourism. The Ecologist, 1994, vol 24, no 4, pp.142- 147

MYH | vision

‘The truth is that industry and governments continue to maintain or expand tourism infrastructure and facilities, probably to ‘compensate’ the ‘lost paradise’ but failing to acknowledge that with the construction and operation of each new place, more energy, more land, more supplies, more cheap labor is needed. And ultimately, human rights are negatively impacted.’ (...)

‘Being aware that the discussion on human rights in tourism is young, i.e. not even one generation ‘old’ (...) it might take a few more decades to reach out in a truly ‘all stakeholder’ approach on human rights. And desirably change the notion of tourism all in all.’

Julia Schonharl, Human rights and tourism, who cares and who should care, travelmole.com, 03 January 2012

‘Yet if it is to pose a real challenge to the status quo, tourism alternatives must be part of a wider debate as to how to construct an alternative ‘new world order’ in which people themselves, rather than outside interests, determine and control their lives.’

Anita Pleumarom, The Political Economy of Tourism. The Ecologist, 1994, vol 24, no 4, pp.142- 147

MYH | visionMYH | kick off

Lets plant a tree! A bottom-up tree

Replacing the giant old top-down elephantbeast that boombooms over developing countries in search of paradise lost. With white men sitting proudly on its back, planting flags, cultivating exoticism, bringing in tourists, catching money. Exploiting locals with ruthless grazing industrial machinery. a

MYH | mission

Lets plant a tree! A bottom-up tree

The base is the welcoming platform we create. The seed is the space we build for meetings between hosts and guests. The cloud feeding the tree is the community. The branches are the processes growing out of their encounters.

Lets plant a tree! A bottom-up tree

The base is the welcoming platform we create. The seed is the space we build for meetings between hosts and guests. The cloud feeding the tree is the community. The branches are the processes growing out of their encounters.

The platform is welcoming and fertile. The meetings are hosted by locals, unmediated and inspiring. The community is open, self-organizing and globalocal.

What are our core values?

MYH | values

host

Issa / wildlife guide

Mopti, Mali

The platform | the base

MYH brand experienceTravel experience | extended meeting

‘Live your holiday’ Hosting experience | empowering meeting

‘Change the face of tourism’

The base of MYH is the digital platform, consisting of a website and mobile apps. We offer a welcoming and fertile ground to travellers and hosts. What do we mean by this?

WelcomingA strong brand, instantly communicates the MYH feeling on a gut-level, and unites travellers and hosts worldwide. It’s a double brand. One side communicates the MYH travel experience. The flip side communicates the MYH hosting experience.

FertilizingFertile means we offer additional services that• challenge travellers to extend the meeting into daily life, and ‘live your holiday’ every day,• challenge hosts to elevate the meeting into an empowering force.

The extended meeting |additionals for travellersAssist your host personally (translate a profile, build a website, design a flyer, etc.)

Fund your favourite local business by microfinancing or crowdfunding (possible partners: Kiva, PifWorld, Triodos Foundation)

Buy souvenirs and other (tailor-made) stuff offered by hosts

The empowering meeting |additionals for hostsConnect to one of our capacity buildingpartners (possible partners: CBI, IUCN)

Share experiences with hosts worldwide

Team up with a local intermediary (possible partner: Tripbod)

Fund your business, and connect to one of our financing partners

Crowdsource your way to a better business and get assisted by travellers.

Apply for the MYH Best Practice Award (possible partner: Hivos)

The meeting space | the essence

InspiringWe aim to facilitate informal, equal and curious meetings. We really like the ones that knock over cultural prejudices, remove barriers, create space and foster creativity.

The meeting space | the essence The essence of MYH is the meeting space. Hosts and guests meet here before, during and after their live encounters.

Hosted by localsEach host builds a personal space, depending on preferences and skills – like a personal shop. For one host may be an English speaking computer user. And another may be an off the road living community that can only be reached by phone or indirectly via a MYH intermediary.

UnmediatedOne of our starting points is to cut out the foreign, powerful middlemen. We connect demand and supply without intervention of external ‘expert organisations’ catching money. Locals are the true experts and run the business.

The elements defining the meeting space are a dialogue tool – enabling participants to communicate. And wallpaper – the decor of the meeting.

Dialogue tool A host can choose a personal dialogue tool. We offer options, like a formal bookingsystem, the simple exchange of phone numbers, a link to an intermediary, a video call, etc.

MYH offers digital storytelling tools

Like ‘Use the ChainR tool to present your tour!’

WallpaperThe wallpaper is created by hosts. Here, they can show travellers their photos, movies, texts, links, etc. The wallpaper puts the meeting in a local atmosphere. And little by little, grassroots representations of far tourist destinations will be created. Changing the face of tourism.

Globalocal | covering the southTo be successful, MYH has to expand global and local. Why? 1. A destination needs to have sufficient MYH-hosts to start with. 2. It’s our ambition to cover all destinations in developing countries. 3. We want to make MYH work for the smallest hosts, living in the earth’s most remote places. Therefore MYH needs to be a viral community, including mechanisms to speed up expansion into the smallest corners of the world.

The community | real people, real voices

The MYH community consists of hosts and guests. How do we build the community?

Open | letting go controlBottom-up tourism is simply made by the people who live permanently in the places that tourists visit briefly, in constant dialogue with their guests. It’s not our business to decide who can join the dialogue. It’s our business to facilitate it.

Self-organizing | mutual trustHow can travellers trust hosts if anyone can sign up? How do we manage quality without central control? Our answer: by creating a self-organizing network. Having a certain level of trust, caring and collaborativeness built into it from the start.

Signing up

Can all travellers become a member?Yes, all travellers can become MYH-travellers. Young or old. Backpacker or luxury seeker. Asian or American. Even your host can become a MYH-traveller, when he or she decides to head off on a trip. MYH is open.

Can all hosts become a member?Yes, all local hosts can become MYH-host. As long as 1. you are a resident of a developing country, and 2. you own a tourism business. Small or big. Green or mainstream. Hotel or fruit stall. We don’t discriminate. The only thing that needs to be checked is that MYH hosts are locals, and that they own the enterprise they represent.

Open | letting go controlWe minimize central control. We don’t select at the gate. We don’t check sustainability issues. We encourage lateral control.

Self-organizing | mutual trustWe encourage the use of self-organizing mechanisms, like: 1. Recommendations by reliable organisations working locally. 2. RRR (review, ranking, rating) by travellers and fellow-hosts. 3. Planning-services offered by intermediaries.

MYH community guidelines

Globalocal | covering the southThe way to grow into a new destination:1. Create a network of NGO’s/fellow platforms/local intermediaries. 2. Ask them to invite hosts to sign-up, and recommend them. 3. Having reached a critical host-coverage, the destination is introduced online. 4. Viral mechanisms then speed up the expansion process, like:• travellers sharing experiences,• travellers introducing new travellers or hosts, • hosts introducing new travellers or hosts.

Travellers travel aware, feel connected.Hosts co-create a grassroots tourism business.Globally MYH changes the face of tourism.

How do we measure success?

MYH | aims & objectives

Travellers travel aware, feel connected.Hosts co-create a grassroots tourism business.Globally MYH changes the face of tourism. host

Kitaek / fair fruit tours

Tuasivi, Samoa

Overall goal | humanizing tourism

Aware & connected travellers

MYH objectives• Rapidly expanding international community. Target: 800.000 travellers in 3 years,• At least 10% of the travellers introduces a new host on MYH,• At least 20% of the travellers stays in touch with a host after a trip, using MYH.

Overall goal | humanizing tourism MYH creates new ways of travelling and hosting. On an abstract level, MYH changes the operating model of tourism. When do we call MYH a success?

Travellers | aware & connectedMYH becomes the place-to-be for travellers to developing countries. With an ever expanding community of mindful travellers, feeling personally connected with their hosts before, during and after their holidays.

Hosts | a grassroots business MYH becomes the place-to-be for tourism SMEs in developing countries. Here they get access to the market, share knowledge with tourism SMEs worldwide, and get profi business support. A grassroots tourism business is co-created.

A grassroots tourism business

MYH objectives• Rapidly expanding host community. Target: 2000 hosts / 15 destinations in 3 years,• Contributes to capacity development of local SMEs by facilitating access to supporting NGO’s and individuals,• Supports knowledge sharing between tour-ism SMEs worldwide,• Inspires hosts to raise their voices, and to create touristic images and information that represent local perspectives on local tourism.

For more information read our research document.Zullen we nog even naar deze doelen kijken? Deze zijn te algemeen en niet allemaal meetbaar.

Globally | changing the face of tourism • MYH inspiringly shows the advantages of chain reversal to stakeholders in tourism,• MYH contributes to the north-south dialogue, connecting people and vitalizing cultures.

Changing the face of tourism

MYH objectives• Promotes tourism to developing countries, especially to rural (off the beaten track) areas,• Tackles poverty by reducing leakage and facilitating linkages,• Creates jobs for the unskilled, women & youth.

The second part of the businessplan provides detailed information about our marketing, management, funding and finance.

If you have any questions, or if you like to get in touch please contact us at team@meetyourhost.com

All the best! Emilie, Eva and Yvon

Got curious?

MYH | businessplan #2

traveller

Sacha / Los Angeles (US)

Going to Kenya

About the illustrationsAll names of hosts and travellers are fictive.All photopgraphs are taken from Flickr under a Creative Commons license. Thanks!

meetyourhost © february 2012

This is the first part of the businessplan of travellers platform meetyourhost, a promising social business that may contribute to the humanization of tourism to developing countries. A good thing for all of us!