How does one get involve with travel philanthropy? There are so many opportunities to exercise philanthropy for a destination. Some will involve travel. Others simply can be done from wherever you are, yet impact destinations far away. In Part III of our three-part series (see Part I and Part II) on travel philanthropy, we look at 10 great sources for philanthropic travel and connecting with community projects.
What does travel philanthropy and microfinance have in common?
Both can impact almost all areas of development — poverty, women’s empowerment, children, education, literacy, environment, health, etc.
As we mentioned in Part I, travel philanthropy is simply connecting people to places that’s done in a way that supports and empowers local destinations and communities. Microfinance serves as a powerful tool of travel philanthropy. Microfinance ties the giving to a destination to provide systemic change in a locale. With a little help, people are able to feed, educate, and care for their …
Do you desire a deeper connection with the destination you visit? Travel is appealing to so many of us because we desire connections with people… and people in far away places fascinates us. They are distant and distinct not only in locale but culture, ethnicity, socio-economic circumstances, and life perspectives. Travel provides us connections to people that we would not ordinarily meet and solidifies these connections through “face-to-face” encounters that open the door for change.
Travel philanthropy is simply connecting people to places. It’s done in an active and engaging way …
Ever wonder if a hotel is truly green or just “green-washing”? Certifications and eco-awards are good indicators, but you”ll need to dig deeper to truly get a sense of their eco-commitments. Travel Market Report gives us six resorts that exemplify some of the best “green” practices.
Looking for a trip by the azure blue sea, white sandy beaches or relax by a lagoon looking out to the vast, crystal clear ocean AND you want to spend some time giving back to the local community during this idyllic tropical vacation?
The Six Senses collection of luxury hotels and resorts has made sustainability and giving back to the community a priority, without compromising the experience and expectations of guests. They want more people to join their efforts. We’ve featured Six Senses’ Soneva Fushi last year as one …
We’ve rounded up some interesting news and stories around the Web:
Eastern Europe Courting Tourists (Chicago Tribune)
Travelocity Challenges Hotwire for Blind-Booking Hotels (Budget Travel)
Galapagos Islands Seek Sustainable Growth (National Geographic Traveler)
5 WWOOFing Opportunities in Thailand (Matador)
Expedia to Include Green Stats in Hotel Details (TerraCurve)
Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer in rural China and see the real China close-up?
Aston Language Center offers volunteers the opportunity to teach English in schools in Wuhu, China for FREE. There are no program fees PLUS Aston will provide free accommodation, transportation, and access to free Mandarin lessons during your spare time. You will need to pay your own international airfare and get a visa for China.
Are you looking for adventure and volunteering? REI Adventures, an adventure travel company of REI, will offer travelers adventure, service, and cultural experiences through its new Volunteer Expeditions. They have teamed up with Conservation Volunteers International Program (CVIP), a nonprofit dedicated to conserving iconic destinations and cultural sites around the world.
“Offering Volunteer Expeditions aligns with REI’s core purpose of stewardship, and provides an option for people to travel while making a difference in restoring and protecting these amazing destinations,” said Cynthia Dunbar, REI Adventures manager.
Volunteer Expeditions will kick off with …
