As a significant initiative of the YMCA, the Global Alternative Tourism Network (GATN) promotes alternative tourism practices. We have been extending a warm welcome to members of YMCA/Y's Men International, as well as to various organizational members and individuals from across the globe.

Alternative Tourism promotes fair and just forms of travelling activities between members of different communities to achieve mutual understanding, solidarity and equality amongst the participants. It is a form of tourism that has a minimal negative impact on the physical and sociocultural environment in destination areas, and the local community substantially benefits from the tourism programme.

Unlike mass tourism, the main characteristics of the YMCA Alternative Tourism follow the “CHANGE” principles that seek to be Community centred, Holistic in approach, Advocating global citizenship, Nature conserving, Gender and child-sensitive, and Economically viable.