About Us

Accelerating Sustainable Tourism for People and Planet

  • Who We Are

Target 8.9 is a global development platform dedicated to transforming tourism into a driver of inclusive economic growth, decent work, and sustainable development. Rooted in the principles of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 8.9, we empower communities, support small businesses, and promote policies and practices that protect local culture and regenerate economies. Through innovative partnerships, technical expertise, and flexible financing, we reimagine tourism as a force for good—serving people, planet, and prosperity.

  • Our Mission

Target 8.9 is a global development agency dedicated to mobilizing both non-financial and financial resources to create meaningful and sustainable impacts in local tourism destinations, aligned with the Target 8.9 of SDGs.

Economic Inclusion and Social Development
Target 8.9's primary focus is on fostering inclusive economic opportunities and social development, with a strong emphasis on conservation and landscape restoration.
Diverse Target Audiences
Target 8.9 will serve entrepreneurs, women, youth, and marginalized communities in tourism destinations, aiming to provide them with opportunities for growth and development around the tourism’s ecosystem and value chain.
Expertise & Network
Through dedicated tourism expertise, an extensive industry network, and access to a wide pool of business experts, mentors, and tourism policymakers, T8.9 is well-equipped to drive meaningful and sustainable change in the global tourism landscape.
  • Our Vision

Target 8.9 is global platform created to promote and amplify the role of tourism (value chain) as a catalyst for positive social and economic change in local destinations worldwide.

Collaboration and Innovation
Target 8.9 is committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices to create opportunities, but also protect natural and cultural heritage, promoting a future where tourism serves as a force for good.
Platform for Positive Impact
Target 8.9’s goal is to enable the sustainable development of local destinations by leveraging global partnerships as a powerful force for positive social and economic impact in the tourism sector.
Empowering Communities
We use innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to empower communities, ensuring they actively participate in and benefit from the positive changes brought by tourism.

Meet The Team

Miguel Figueroa
Miguel Angel Figueroa
Managing Director
Patricia Ruiz
Patricia Ruiz
Project Manager Spain
Edgar Herrera
Edgar Herrera
Financial Controller
Coral Williams
Destination Manager Jamaica
Pagna Ukthaun
Destination Manager Cambodia
Profile picture of Carmen García
Carmen García
Destination Manager Cape Verde
  • Value Proposition

Target 8.9 is a global platform—designed to promote decent work, particularly among women, youth, and business around the tourism ecosystem; We mobilize resources toward digitally-enabled, sustainable tourism SMEs; drive local economic regeneration through inclusive entrepreneurship and green value chains; and build capacity to support local resilience strategies aligned with SDG 8 and its target 8.9, which calls for “policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”

  • Hybrid Model

Target 8.9 is a platform at the intersection of a development agency and an impact investment fund, combining:

Technical assistance
for destination development, digital inclusion, and climate resilience
Flexible financing tools
tailored to the needs of SMEs and startups in the tourism value chain
Impact measurement systems
that align investors and donors with metrics that matter: jobs, inclusion, and sustainability.
Hybrid Model