Travel Philanthropy
COMMENT Feature 05
Travel Philanthropy – Connecting People and Places Small efforts make a big difference Travellers’ philanthropy is tourism businesses and travellers making concrete contributions of “time, talent, and treasure” to projects in tourism destinations beyond what is generated through the normal tourism business. 1
SOURCE 1: Martha Honey, editor, Travelers’ Philanthropy Handbook, Washington, DC: Center for Responsible Travel, 2011, p3
T
ravellers’ philanthropy is not a new concept, but as awareness and access to sustainable tourism increases, environmentally and socially conscious travellers are more likely to visit destinations that are working to serve the greater good. And together with pioneering companies and organizations, travellers are leveraging the travel industry as a significant force for social good. The travel industry is increasingly being recognized as a means to advance social justice, economic development, biodiversity, environmental protection, cultural preservation, volunteerism and philanthropy. Although only a fraction of travel companies are currently engaging in any form of travellers’ philanthropy, this movement has the potential to improve millions of lives worldwide. At its core, it’s about enriching the lives of others, caring
for the environment, and forming mutually beneficial relationships between locals, businesses and travellers. Travel philanthropy is represented in almost every sector of the travel and tourism industry. Many altruistic initiatives that exist today were created by small and medium sized tour operators and lodges as well as non-governmental organizations (NGO). Companies and organizations are motivated to give back for varying reasons, from pure altruism to practical business considerations. Innovators in the industry see their efforts as an extension of civic values, while others seek to build loyalty among customers and employees. However, the underlying objective is to protect local environments and cultures, while at the same time providing invaluable opportunities to connect people from across the globe.