The report emphasises the positive impact of social economy tourism on local communities. It highlights how such models can create jobs, promote social inclusion, and support the preservation of local cultures and environments. By prioritising community benefit over profit, these initiatives help to foster more equitable and sustainable tourism practices.

Integration of Social Economy in Tourism is key and includes community-based tourism initiatives, where local communities manage and benefit from tourism activities. These models aim to enhance local economies while preserving cultural and environmental assets. Examples include:

•    Community-managed eco-lodges where profits are reinvested into local development projects.
•    Cultural heritage tours organized by local cooperatives that ensure a fair share of tourism revenue goes back to the community.
•    Social enterprises offering responsible travel experiences focused on sustainable practices and community engagement.

There are several challenges faced by social economy tourism initiatives highlighted in the report. Access to financial resources can be limited for community-driven tourism projects. Scalability and being able to expand successful models while maintaining their social objectives can be challenging.
Similarly more supportive policies that recognize and facilitate the growth of social economy tourism are needed at national, regional and local levels.

One region that has gone a good distance in promoting sustainable tourism practices is that of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna. In Emilia-Romagna, social cooperatives play a significant role in the tourism sector. The region supports social cooperatives that manage tourist services, cultural heritage sites, and eco-tourism projects, integrating social economy principles into the tourism industry. The region provides financial support through European Union funds and regional initiatives, such as the "Regional Operational Programme," which targets social enterprises involved in sustainable and inclusive tourism. The Cooperative League of Emilia-Romagna (LegaCoop) offers support to social cooperatives, including those in tourism, providing training, networking, and advocacy to enhance their impact and sustainability.

Another example is in Costa Rica, where sustainable tourism is promoted as part of its social economy strategy. The country’s "National Tourism Plan" integrates social economy principles, focusing on community-based tourism where local communities manage and benefit from tourism activities. Costa Rica supports community tourism enterprises through programs like the "National Program for Community-Based Rural Tourism," which provides funding and technical assistance to rural communities developing tourism projects. The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) collaborates with social economy organizations and networks to support community-based tourism initiatives, offering training, certification, and marketing support to ensure these projects thrive and attract international tourists.