ExO Foundation

About ExO Foundation

The EXO Foundation operates as the non-profit arm of the Asian travel company EXO Travel, established in 2012 to embed sustainable and responsible tourism practices within the region's travel industry. Olivier Colomes, a co-founder of the parent company EXO Travel (originally Exotissimo) in 1993, played a key role in the group's development, which eventually led to the creation of the foundation. The foundation's establishment was a culmination of a growing commitment to fundamentally improve Asia's destinations through responsible travel.

The foundation's core mission is to make destinations in Asia better places for local communities to live in and for travelers to visit. It functions as a non-profit organization supporting grassroots organizations across nine countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The business model is structured to ensure that all donations directly fund projects. Its primary source of funding comes from its parent company, EXO Travel, which donates US$1 per traveler, supplemented by contributions from corporate clients and other donors. The foundation's operational costs are covered by the EXO Travel group, allowing 100% of donations to be allocated to carefully selected projects.

The EXO Foundation's activities are centered around three main pillars: promoting responsible travel, protecting the planet, and ensuring community benefits. It provides resources and promotes best practices for tourism operators and travelers, supports nature-based solutions to climate change, and champions projects related to education, social innovation, and cultural preservation. The foundation has supported a network of over 140 non-profit and social enterprises. Key achievements include significant contributions to waste reduction by helping EXO Travel implement "plastic-free" trips and distributing thousands of refillable bottles. The foundation has also been instrumental in guiding EXO Travel to achieve Travelife certification, a recognition of excellence in sustainability. Through its annual Sustainability Awards, the foundation identifies and supports innovative projects in the tourism sector, with prize money totaling over $60,000 to foster sustainable innovation in Asia.