Cafédirect Producers’ Foundation introduce coffee tourism initiative

Cafédirect Producers’ Foundation (CPF) is partnering with UK based social enterprise Sumak Travel to give adventure-seekers the chance to responsibly learn first-hand about agriculture production in Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru. The group tours will give travellers an opportunity to meet coffee farmers, as well as producers of chocolate and handicrafts, while also visiting some of Latin America’s iconic locations. “As one of the best-loved fair trade brands, many people will already be familiar with Cafédirect,” said Sumak Travel, Director, Felipe Zalamea. “But now, for the first time, they will have the opportunity to meet some of the coffee and cocoa growing communities behind the brand.” Zalamea said that homestays will provide travellers with the opportunity to get hands on and learn about local cultures. “Travellers will really immerse themselves in the local culture and feel like a special guest of their host community, rather than a tourist,” said Zalamea. The Fair Trade Adventure to Peru departs from Lima to Machu Picchu, explores the markets and ancient Quechua traditions in the Sacred Valley, and sails to the islands on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Travellers can learn about organic coffee production while staying on a fair trade coffee plantation. On the Fair Trade Adventure to Costa Rica travellers will tour a coffee farm, get acquainted with the indigenous Bribri tribe and visit an organic cocoa cooperative on the Caribbean coast to learn how chocolate is produced. Travellers on the Fair Trade Adventure to Colombia will learn how coffee is harvested and roasted, and hike colonial trading routes. On the Fair Trade Adventure of Northern Peru travellers will make ceviche and Pisco sours during a cookery class, take a coffee adventure through the Perene Valley, and taste some of the best chocolate in the world. “For us responsible travel isn't just about minimising the negative impacts of tourism, it's about creating rewarding travel experiences that have a positive impact for local people and the environment,” said Zalamea. “We've designed the Fair Trade Adventures to be small-scale and low impact, so that the farmers, artisans, indigenous peoples, social entrepreneurs and others who act as our hosts, can continue to enjoy their traditional way of life while earning a complementary income.”