This website was started exactly a year ago today to bring awareness to transformational travel. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you!
We launched this site for you our fellow travelanthropists — those who are interested in or already adopters of travel that makes a difference. Our working definition of traveler’s philanthropy is simple — traveler’s kindness/charity/giving towards a destination (its people, community, etc). We recognized the need for a website specifically for travelers. In an industry that is still rather fragmented, we hope to be a trusted online …

With our world filled with needs and increasing social activism, philanthropy is no longer primarily defined by wealth. You become one based on your values and finding the cause that you care enough to dedicate your money, time, and talents to. The initial desire to engage, to give, comes simply from the head and the heart.
That said, you don’t just give, you’ll want give with some impact. People don’t naturally know how to give effectively. Philanthropy is something that is learned. It is intentional. It takes some planning and there …

Safe drinking water, so essential for life and yet unavailable in many parts of the world. Each day, more than 4,000 children die in developing countries simply because they don’t have clean drinking water — a global crisis.
Cosmetic company Cover Girl kicked off the relaunch of their Clean Makeup line with the launch of the Cover Girl Clean Makeup for Clean Water campaign. Partnering with Children’s Safe Drinking Water to alleviate this global crisis, Cover Girl has donated $500,000 to CSDW which will provide 50 million liters of clean water …

Thinking of traveling a little differently this year? Are you looking for a truly unique and meaningful experience? Get inspired to make a difference in your travels!
Street Kids, Burundi
This kicking rap video was a collaboration between three Italian travelers and the street children of Bujumbura, in Burundi. This is their story. So where’s Burundi? Glad you asked! Burundi is located in East Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo. It has fantastic beaches, beautiful lakes and ancient forests.

Volunteer Abroad – Zambia
Volunteering in Zambia provides a great opportunity to make life-long …

With the start of a new year, many of us start anticipating (and planning) where we like to travel. Here are five hotspot destinations you’ll want to put on your travel radar. Our list contains three destinations identified by Tripadvisor Travelcast as up and comers, a “forbidden” and undiscovered locale, and of course, we’ve included a destination that has ample volunteer opportunities.
Patara, Turkey

With a 12-mile of golden sands backed by the dunes and the Taurus mountains and an abundance of Lycian and Roman ruins peeking out of the sand dunes, …

We’ve rounded up some interesting news and stories around the Web this week:

The World is their Classroom (The Gazette)
Mexico Develops Tourist Police Force to Fix Image (USA Today)
Practical Traveler: January’s Snows Mean Sale (The New York Times)
Airlines Turn To Biofuel (The Wall Street Journal)
Think Internationally And Gift A Cow Or Llama For Good Karma (Jaunted.com)

Our warmest wishes for your holidays! Travelanthropist is on holiday break and will be back in 2010.

We’ve rounded up some interesting news and stories around the Web this week:

CNN Helps Strengthen World Tourism Economy (TerraCurve)

Air Travel: 10 Things You Might Not Know About (Chicago Tribune)

Culture Shock: When, Where, And How Has It Hit You? (Matador)

‘Ugly Betty’ Star America Ferrera Set To Volunteer In Africa Over Holidays (USA Today)

5 Ways To Avoid The Holiday Blues While Abroad (InterExchange.com)