Rooted Journeys: Reclaiming the Soul of Tourism(While aiding children in need in Ukraine)

Addressing Tourism's Hidden Costs

Mass tourism has become a double-edged sword for many communities worldwide. While bringing economic opportunity, it often leads to environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and economic exploitation where profits flow to large corporations rather than local families.

The evidence is everywhere, from historic cities like Venice and Barcelona implementing tourist caps to combat overtourism to indigenous traditions reduced to inauthentic performances for quick photo opportunities. Local economies are becoming dependent on seasonal visitors while community wealth disappears and environmental destruction from unsustainable development and overwhelming visitor numbers is on the rise.

With Sustainable Tourism, the opposite is true. It invests in the cultures and places that are the focus of the excursion. Hosts are paid fairly. Local initiatives get a boost. Culture is shared—not sold.

Our Documentary Project: "Rooted Journeys: Reclaiming the Soul of Tourism"

Experience Ukraine and Beyond is raising $13,500 to create a documentary short that showcases a different model of tourism—one that regenerates rather than extracts. Through intimate portraits of communities in Georgia, Romania, and Morocco, we'll document how thoughtfully designed tourism can:

• Preserve disappearing cultural practices like Romanian copper crafting and Georgian polyphonic singing

• Create sustainable livelihoods that keep young people in their communities rather than migrating to cities

• Protect traditional agricultural practices and food heritage

• Facilitate meaningful cross-cultural understanding that benefits both visitors and hosts

This documentary will serve as both an educational tool and a blueprint for communities worldwide looking to develop tourism models that strengthen rather than exploit local culture and resources.

Where Your Donation Goes

Your contribution will fund:

1. Documentary production in our three focus regions

2. Community workshops to develop sustainable tourism initiatives

3. Direct support to families and artisans featured in our programs

4. Awareness campaigns to promote responsible tourism practices

After reaching our $13,500 goal, ALL additional proceeds will directly support Fetch Theatre's vital work with Ukrainian children affected by war.

The Heart of Our Mission and Documentary: Community Resilience Through Ethical Tourism

Our documentary " Rooted Journeys: Reclaiming the Soul of Tourism " will capture the stories of communities actively creating alternatives to exploitative tourism models. We'll follow local families, artisans, and cultural guardians who are partnering with Experience Ukraine and Beyond to demonstrate how tourism can preserve rather than diminish cultural heritage.

In the picturesque villages of our film, guests don't just visit—they live alongside

residents in their homes, sharing meals, traditions, and creating lasting connections. This immersive approach ensures that tourism dollars flow directly to local families while preserving authentic cultural experiences.

Community-centered approaches will be the focus in Georgia, Transylvania and Morocco, where the project will focus on local artisans, family-owned businesses, and cultural preservationists who create tourism experiences that honor tradition while building economic resilience.

Meet the Visionaries

Nataliya Cummings, Founder & Executive Producer

Born from Ukrainian and English heritage, Nataliya's deep connection to the Carpathian Mountains sparked her mission to transform how we travel. After years of living in and supporting community-based projects in remote Ukrainian villages, she and her family created Experience Ukraine and Beyond—a company dedicated to organizing travel experiences that support local communities while providing authentic cultural immersion. Nataliya's unique perspective bridges Eastern European traditions with sustainable development principles, making her the perfect guide for this documentary journey.

Benjamin Keller, Director

Benjamin brings his award-winning filmmaking expertise to "Rooted Journeys." With a career spanning music videos, outdoor action films, expedition and adventure work, and critically acclaimed feature documentaries like "Just One Step" "BlueGreen," and "iMMeRSiON," his work has garnered international recognition and awards on theater screens, broadcast television, and digital platforms. Benjamin's passion for meaningful storytelling, and his experience in the outdoors and excursion film world makes him the ideal creative force behind this project.

Together, this team combines intimate knowledge of local communities, sustainable tourism expertise, and world-class documentary filmmaking to create a compelling vision of how tourism can be reclaimed as a force for cultural preservation and community empowerment.

Please read more about our project and please support here

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