Footprint Cafes aspires to become the first global chain of social enterprise book cafes linking our prosperous global tourist industry with prosperous local communities.
Footprint Cafes aspires to become the first global chain of social enterprise book cafes linking our prosperous global tourist industry with prosperous local communities.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. It accounts for 1 in every 10 jobs on our planet and generates approximately 10% of global GDP. Sadly, thriving local tourist markets do not always mean thriving local communities. For many tourism offers only seasonal, poorly paid work which is vulnerable to shocks such as natural disasters or unrest. It is common for big companies not local people to profit from the industry and often the growing volume of tourists puts a strain on natural resources already under pressure. In short, business as usual is not having the positive impact that it could. We want to change that.
We believe that most tourists want to have a positive impact on the places they visit. We believe that most tourists want a high quality, affordable, authentic dining experience. From these beliefs Footprint Cafes was born.
Footprint Cafes offers an easy, enjoyable, affordable way for tourists to give back to host communities simply by visiting our cafes. Each café is built on our three P’s model of: People, Planet, Profit.
Providing excellent employment conditions for our local teams and investing in their future through training and skills development allowing them to follow their dreams.
Sourcing ethically & locally wherever we can as well as doing all we can to reduce, reuse and recycle.
100% of net profits given as grants back to the local community as educational and entrepreneurial grants decided by a local committee.
We established our first café in Siem Reap, Cambodia in November 2016. Thanks to the generosity of angel investor Dr Darrin Disley, we have start up funding for the first three cafes. As a brand we will grow in towns around the world that have thriving tourist markets but pressing social needs.
Our customers are guaranteed the same high quality, friendly service wherever they are, along with a delicious local menu, safe in the knowledge that their spending power is having a positive impact.
Footprint Cafes is not associated with any faith other than the power of kindness, opportunity and great coffee. We look forward to welcoming you.
Georgina Hemmingway, Footprint Founder, launches Footprint concept in Cambridge, converting a local café, Hot Numbers, into a taste of Cambodia for one night
GoFundMe Campaign goes live to raise first £5,000 https://www.gofundme.com/
Dr Darrin Disley donates $150,000 to establish Footprint Cafes as a charity and to begin to establish cafes over the world Business Weekly
First café hosts the 12th Angkor Photo Festival welcoming photographers from all over the world
Enterprise Champion Dr Darrin Disley OBE commits a further $150,000 funding http://www.cambridge-news.co.
Sonas world become first social enterprise tenants of the enterprise centre.
SHE investment expand their operations from Phnom Penh to include Siem Reap.
Covid-19 pandemic spreads to Cambodia and Thailand, delaying renovations and temporarily halting operations in Siem Reap.
Tourism drops by over 80% in both locations as many countries go into lockdown.
Siem Reap adapts to new reality by limiting hours and focusing on delivery service. Koh Phangan delays opening.
Footprint wins Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Award 2021 for Small Business watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3A5-W3o4Rk
Footprint Cafes aspires to become the first global chain of social enterprise book cafes linking our prosperous global tourist industry with prosperous local communities.
Footprint Cafes CIO
Charity Number: 1166664
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