Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

Chart 6. Since when are you supporting localdevelopment / conservation projects?44%15%15%22%4%1 year 2 years 5 years 10 years MoreThe tour operators interviewed reported that they collected and donated a total of $688,991during 2008. The amounts per company varied from $1,000 and $163,000. However, this figureis clearly below the actual amount: several companies said that they do not track the donationsthey receive and give to local projects, while others said that their guests donate directly to theprojects. Overall, those surveyed reported that donations provided to local projects come almostequally from guests and from company earnings. Corporate contributions to local projects variedwidely, from 2% to, one case, 80% of a company’s earnings. Others said that their companycontributes what is needed after guest donations in order to complete a particular project.Asked which nationality of guests are most generous in terms of financial donations, 48% of thetour operators surveyed said that those from the U.S. donate the most, while 4% saidcontributions were spread evenly across nationalities.In addition, two-thirds of the companies surveyed said that they provide support throughvolunteers. The number of guests who volunteer ranged from 30 to 300 per company during2008.Asked if they support projects directly or through other organizations or NGOs, 81% of theparticipating tour operators said they support local projects directly and 44% provide supportthrough local or international NGOs or foundations, and some use both methods. In addition,some companies said they have started and run their own projects.Asked how they inform their guests about the possibility of donating to local projects, most saidthey use a range of methods: 85% said they give this information on their websites, 52% taketheir guests for project visits, 44% provide information in their brochures and catalogues, and41% inform guests on location. Newsletter and mailings are, according to 30% of thosesurveyed, the best way to inform clients about philanthropic activities. In addition, 41% of theinterviewed tour operators said that they use their philanthropic activities as part of theirmarketing strategy.155