Do's and Don'ts of Travel Giving - Travelers' Philanthropy

Managing Travelers’ Expectations:Do’s and Don’ts of Travel GivingWillliam H. DurhamCo-Director, CREST &Sr. Fellow, Woods Institute for EnvironmentStanford

Managing Travelers’ Expectations:Do’s and Don’ts of Travel Giving

Philanthropyand Responsible Travel1. Where does philanthropy fit in?2. Who or what does it benefit?3. How to make the most of it?4. Practical “dos and don’ts”

Philanthropyand Responsible Travel1. Where does philanthropy fit in?Among many forms of Responsible Travel,focus for a moment on:Ecotourism

NGO orcompanyLocal PeopleNaturalAttractionEcotourismProject

Inputs from all 3 components:NGO orcompanyNaturalAttractionLocal PeopleEcotourismProjectRevenue

NGO orcompanyNaturalAttractionLocal PeopleOrganizationalneeds:Return on InvestmentSalaries, etc.EcotourismProjectRevenueLocal needs:TrainingInfrastructureLand tenureConservation

NGO orcompanyNaturalAttractionLocal PeopleOrganizationalneeds:Return on InvestmentSalaries, etc.EcotourismProjectRevenueLocal needs:TrainingInfrastructureLand tenureConservationPhilanthropy

NGO orcompanyNaturalAttractionLocal PeopleOrganizationalneeds:Return on InvestmentSalaries, etc.EcotourismProjectRevenueLocal needs:TrainingInfrastructureLand tenureConservationPhilanthropy

NGO orcompanyNaturalAttractionLocal PeopleOrganizationalneeds:Return on InvestmentSalaries, etc.EcotourismProjectRevenueLocal needs:TrainingInfrastructureLand tenurePhilanthropyConservation

In this example, 3 waysphilanthropy fits in:1. Can help with conservation: contributingto the environmental health of the location.2. Can help with local needs: contributingto livelihoods, training, infrastructure, etc.3. Can help the NGO or company: helpingwith its costs, skills, of administration.In most cases, visitors prefer #1 or #2

Philanthropyand Responsible Travel1. Where does philanthropy fit in?2. Who or what does it benefit?3. How to make the most of it?4. Practical “dos and don’ts”The hardest question: How to makethe most of generous impulses….

Phil-anthropy• Loving humanitythrough giving• Expressing love bygiving away part ofoneself• Two BIG intrinsicissues:– Expressing strongemotion– Problems of “TheGift”

• “A gift is never free”(a gift is rarely free)• Two entanglements:– Identity: gifts areabout us; especiallymeaningful to thegiver– Expectations:something is (almostalways) wanted back• “Gifts convey power”(they are “loaded”)Marcel Mauss

In light of these issues:THE GOAL IS“MindfulGiving!”• Honoring theimpulse to give & tohelp…• in a thoughtful,deliberative way.• Recognize the powerof the gift• And “work it” to dothe most good!

• So now my own little synopsis from• Crest’s “Traveler’s PhilanthropyHandbook” edited by Martha Honey• With an emphasis on owners & operators

DON’T:DO:1. Don’t even think aboutspontaneous handouts --your own OR guests.2. Don’t fall for “randomacts of kindness” that domore harm than good.3. Don’t be fooled: thereare few “quick fixes.”1. Do consider mindfulways to give back todestinations.2. Do explore ways thatgifts can make apositive difference.3. Do realize that time andlasting commitment arerequired!

DON’T:DO:1. Don’t try to save theday (or be “heroic”!)2. Don’t assumecommunities arecoherent and simple.3. Don’t follow your ownlist of needs & wants(no matter how clear).4. Don’t assume you knowthe best way forward.1. Do engage with thelocal community (-ies).2. Do work to understandall players/stakeholdersand their roles.3. Do listen carefully to(diverse) communityneeds & wants.4. Do allow the communityto decide what, when, &how.

DON’T:DO:1. Don’t imagine you canimplement changes –try to be a catalyst.2. Don’t assume you arethe best partner for thecommunity…3. Don’t make or becomeyour own NGO withoutcareful consideration.1. Do work to empowerthe community (-ies) toimplement changes.2. Do consider partneringwith an NGO that has agood track record.3. Do try to strengthen &help existing localorganizations

DON’T:DO:1. Don’t let guests set thecourse or determineyour approach...2. Don’t treat yourphilanthropic efforts asa separate activity.3. Don’t “show off” yourprogram, which canobjectify people…1. Do show by examplehow your localcommitment works.2. Do work to integratephilanthropic efforts intovisitors’ experience.3. Do find ways tofacilitate exchange andmutual learning.

DON’T:DO:1. Don’t feel you have toaccept ALL gifts (or thatyou can’t steer them…)2. Don’t get eager! Betterresults if requests arethoughtful, subtle, and“quietly convincing.”3. Don’t overdo it:remember that “showoff” is “turn off!”1. Do provide a range ofgiving options, withexplanations for each.2. Do find indirect ways(bulletin boards, onlineinfo, guides) to explainwhat you do & why;3. Do make T Phil anatural, integral part ofyour tourism product.

In this tourism business,if we are not really careful with philanthropy…stuff happens!

Because we are talking “gifts”…• Which are rarely free• But come with twoentanglements:– Identity: gifts areabout us; especiallymeaningful to thegiver– Expectations:something is (almostalways) wanted back• We must be verycareful!

Can even think of philanthropy as sharkinfested waters!And we’re the surfer!

It is especiallyimportant to:

Anticipate effects of our choices!

Plan carefully ahead! Be mindful ofintended and unintended consequences

Don’t wing it! Do the prep work andassessment required to do it well…

And even then, be modest & deliberativeDon’t offer the Moon!!

SomeBest PracticesAgain, from owners & operators perspective;extracted fromCREST’s Travelers’ Philanthropy Handbook

The real deal – the 4 c’s of genuineTraveler’s Philanthropy:1. It’s considerate, requiring carefulassessment of local resources & needs;2. It’s commitment: a “program” more than a“project;” think of it as systematic, integral;3. It’s cumulative, long-term, not year to year:plan for 5 to 10 years to make a difference;4. It’s collaborative, requiring engagement withand dedication to the community;

Steps to Success in T. Phil.1. Know the community, its resources as wellas its needs & weaknesses;(Hint: play to its strengths)2. Consider carefully your company’s capacityand commitment!(Hint: avoid spreading too thin; stay modest)3. Create a marketing strategy that includesphilanthropy as part of who you are;(Hint: include T Phil program on your website)

Steps to Success in T. Phil.4. Include experience with philanthropic effortsas part of your product;(Hint: make sure staff & guides “get it”)5. Requests should not be “asks” but “offers,”allowing clients to “co-invest” with you!(Hint: be indirect & subtle, use printed media)6. Keep fellow co-investors in the loop: begin aprogram of stewardship & information;(Hint: consider a newsletter & tailored emails)

Steps to Success in T. Phil.7. Ensure ongoing accountability: handledonated funds separately, via NGO etc.(Hint: make sure they are tax-deductible)8. Diversify funding sources over time, to reducedependence on a set of donors;(Hint: could the program become its own communitybusinesssome day?)9. Enjoy and communicate successes, but bemodest about it!

Appropriate Philanthropy:1. Not impulsive, but reflective2. Seeks appropriate intermediaries3. Plans for maintenance, continuity4. And will still have unintended effectsSome domains to consider:(1) Health(2) Education(3) Cultural revitalization(4) *Land Tenure*

¡Mil gracias!