Impact tourism in Argentina: B Corps lead the change

In a context where global tourism is growing faster than the overall economy, more and more organizations are integrating the triple bottom line into their business to strengthen their resilience and competitiveness. With examples like Boomerang Viajes, the sector stands out within Argentina's B Corp movement.

March is B Corp Month worldwide. This year, the campaign's theme is "One letter, one big meaning," highlighting certification as a symbol of commitment to people, the planet, and continuous improvement.

In Argentina, there are 45 gastronomy, tourism, and experience businesses certified as B Corporations. These include 17 restaurants, 16 tourism companies, 9 wineries, 2 accommodations, and one nature reserve. Mendoza stands out as the leading destination with 22 certified businesses, followed by the City of Buenos Aires (8) and the Province of Buenos Aires (5). Other certified businesses can be found in Salta, Río Negro, Neuquén, Santa Fe, Mar del Plata, and La Rioja.

B Corporations are organizations verified for their social and environmental management standards and transparency. They have a purpose beyond profit and make a public and legal commitment (through their bylaws) to make decisions by measuring and managing the impact of their operations on people, communities, and the environment.

Boomerang Viajes, certified as a B Corp in 2019, is one of the oldest organizations in the tourism sector within the movement. Founded by sisters Bettina and Paula González, it celebrates a quarter-century this year connecting travelers with conservation destinations and impact-driven service providers.

Over the past 25 years, the agency has developed community-based tourism products in regions such as Northwest Argentina, Misiones, and the Gran Chaco, and has trained 297 tourism agents in impact-driven tourism. It is also part of the Charis Foundation, which manages the Chiara Lubich School in José C. Paz.

B Corp Certification: A Factor of Competitiveness

“When we talk about growth, we have to talk about sustainable development and productive diversification, and sustainable tourism represents a great opportunity in a country with such natural wealth and social diversity,” said Marina Arias, Executive Director of Sistema B Argentina. “Boomerang Viajes is an example that inspires us. They demonstrate that it is possible for companies to assume an active role as agents of change: they see tourism as a tool for redistribution, they work collaboratively with the sector, they educate others, and they get involved in their community in a very concrete way,” she added.

“For conscious travelers, B Corp Certification is a seal of trust that guarantees international standards,” said Bettina González, Director of Boomerang Viajes. “Furthermore, more and more companies are looking to strengthen their value chain based on triple bottom line criteria. For these types of clients, being a B Corp positions us as a transparent provider with verified social and environmental management.” According to Boomerang Viajes, their sales in the corporate segment increased by 60% by 2025.

With 292 B Corps, Argentina ranks tenth in the world and second in Latin America for the number of certified organizations. These companies, based in 16 different regions of the country, have a combined annual revenue of US$5.7 billion, generate over 45,700 jobs, and operate across 30 sectors and industries. In addition to tourism, they are prominent in the following sectors: B2B (business-to-business) and B2G (business-to-government) services; food and beverages; technology; and textiles, apparel, and accessories. Globally, there are 10,700 B Corps in 104 countries.

The future of tourism: impact, connection and authenticity

According to data from Oxford Economics, tourism is growing faster than the global economy, and this trend is expected to continue for the next ten years. “It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate that truly sustainable tourism is not only possible, but can generate a virtuous cycle that benefits us all,” said Bettina.

“Impact tourism is no longer a niche market, because what we understood as enjoyment, relaxation, and luxury is changing. More and more people are looking for transformative trips, unique experiences, and an authentic connection with the world and with others,” she added. According to the head of Boomerang Viajes, this trend is reflected in the growth of conservation destinations, as well as rural and community-based tourism options.

“People are also increasingly aware that when they travel, they have an impact. And we accompany them, give them options, and educate them so they can travel in a way that preserves the natural environment and values ​​the culture of local communities,” concluded the founder of the B Corp.

Source: Boomerang Travel