Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

A majority describe themselves as practicing socially and environmentally responsible tourism,with 85% characterizing their activities as community-based or pro-poor tourism. The mainactivities these companies offer their clients are wildlife safaris (89%), trekking (78%), andcultural tours (93%).The companies report that their clients are 56% are European and 44% are from North America,mainly the United States. Companies surveyed handled from 100 to 15,000 guests in Tanzaniaper year. Collectively, they served nearly 50,000 visitors to Tanzania in 2008.In terms of cost, the operators were asked to state in which four categories they fit. Nearlythree-quarters said they are midrange, while 22% said they offer budget tours, and 40%described themselves as high end or luxury. Several companies said they offer tours in bothmidrange and high end or luxury categories.Chart 2. Which price category is your company?74%22%33%7%Budget Midrange Top end High class luxuryWhile 70% of the tour companies surveyed said they are familiar with the concept of travelers´philanthropy, 30% said they were not. This shows that even if the participants are activelyinvolved in travel philanthropy initiatives, they may call it something different. Those interviewedoffered a variety of definitions of travelers’ philanthropy, including:“Responsible tourism where visitors are actively involved with local communities or projects.”“Doing something good while travelling.”“A client combining travel with donations to local projects.”“Giving something back to communities and nature.”“Guests supporting local community projects by donations.”In addition, tour operators offered a range of motives for establishing their travelers´philanthropy programs. Some said they “want to give back”, others said they want to fightpoverty, improve education, or help to empower local communities. Quotes from the interviewsincluded:“We care about communities and conservation.”“It is the responsibility of tour operators and visitors who have enough.”“It’s a social obligation as a guest and foreigner in Tanzania.”“We want to support the development of jobs and opportunities.”152