Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

• What Form of Communications was Most Effective in Helping You Reach aDecision to Contribute?Many of the donors interviewed said that the company they traveled with was very effective inits communications about the projects they were supporting. They reported that the companiesuse a variety of methods to give visitors information about the community projects they areassisting. These include written materials provided before or during a trip; onsite visits;presentations by community or company representatives; and post-trip updates, usually in theform of newsletters. Companies also provide information via their websites and, in some case,through emails and phone calls.Those surveyed said that they found it most effective to hear directly from local leaders or topersonally visit the local project or organization. An educator who traveled with Global Sojournssaid she was “bought into the Giving Circles because it’s done in a truly responsible way.” Afinancial executive who traveled with Myths and Mountains stated, “Toni’s presentation waspassionate and compelling and she, personally, was so credible” that he was hooked.The majority of interviewees said that visiting the projects and seeing the impact of visitordonations was most important in convincing them to contribute. A 56-year-old real estatemanager who traveled to Peru with Country Walkers said that her initial motivation was to seeManchu Picchu, however, it was her visit to the school in Peru, the commitment of her guide,and his pride in his community that inspired her to make a donation. The guide, Juan CarlosYanez, “was so passionate about the needs of his community that he provided an emotionalconnection,” she explained.When asked how the company or project could be more effective in its presentations, one thirdof the donors noted they would have liked to receive further updates about the progress of the195