Investours: Tours that Fight Poverty

Altruism meets tourism with Investours, a non-profit organization that offers “microfinance tours” in Puerto Vallarta, creating an amazing cultural experience for tourists and an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and artisans to expand their small business with the benefit of a “micro-loan”.  Investours started as a pilot program in Oaxaca, Mexico, and now operates in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and in the Puerto Vallartaarea of Mexico. 

The program works by offering tours to poor communities, creating a unique experience to meet artisans or small business owners who are hoping to expand their business with the assistance of outside investment.  They will introduce you to their community and to their craft, creating a dynamic conversation and cultural exchange between the artisan and tour participants.  The tour fees are then and pooled and given as an interest-free, micro-loan to the entrepreneur to assist them in growing their business.

Over then following months, Investours collects small weekly loan repayments, with 0% interest, on the micro-loan and provides other forms of support to the entrepreneur to assist him or her in the growth of their business.  Tour participants can track the progress of the loan and its repayment and can even send messages of encouragement or congratulations to theentrepreneur.

Tours are four hours in length and include samples of traditional Mexican foods and beverages, transportation and photos.  And, of course, the unique opportunity to support a local entrepreneur with a small business such as a food stand, fishing, dressmaking, or piñata making, in a less-fortunate community increase their possibility for success and a better life.

Tour prices are $59USD/adult, $49/student or senior, US$39/child (ages 5-13) and the tour fees finance the micro-loan given to the entrepreneur that you meet during your tour.  Investours are not only “tours that fight poverty” but are a unique way to experience part of the culture of Mexico that is rarely seen by tourists and support local business in a way that can be truly life-changing for both tour participants and micro-loan recipients.

Photo sources:
gomexico.com
maker.good.is
tripadvisor.com