Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

and/or travelers are encouraged to contribute to the sponsoring organizations and localprojects visited.3. GoPhilanthropic was created in 2007 as a socially conscious travel company. Itseducational trips are designed as “door-openers” to connect travelers with local social,health, and development projects in Asia, Africa, and Central America. Its travelers, whoare all self-identified as being interested in philanthropy, commit to make contributions tospecific projects either before or after visiting them. Donations go directly to the partnerorganizations, which send regular reports to the donors and to GoPhilanthropic.• Corporate and Staff InvolvementAll of the companies highlighted in the case studies are making some level of corporate financialand in-kind donations, and they are providing opportunities for their guests to learn about andcontribute to community and conservation projects in the host destinations. Several companiesreport that they began their travelers’ philanthropy programs at the suggestion of guests whowanted to help address needs they were seeing. For instance, Calabash Tours began informallywith guest donations of pens and small amounts of money and gradually has moved from that“donor-driven” model to a “needs-focused” development model aimed at improving schools inthe Port Elizabeth townships.In all instances companies are involving their staff in some way. There are varying degrees ofstaff participation and training, depending largely on the company’s method of securing anddistributing donations, Vail Resorts provides staff training to reservation agents, front deskpersonnel and others who interact with guests so those people can encourage visitorparticipation in the voluntary giving initiative. Intrepid field staff and group leaders are involved inselecting projects, carrying out due diligence, and encouraging guest donations via theirwebsite, while other staff is involved in monitoring and evaluation of the recipient projects.Country Walkers’ Patacancha project demonstrates the catalytic role the tour guide can play ineducating travelers and generating contributions. (See “My Role as a Guide”, Chapter 6).Authors of these case studies report that travelers’ philanthropy helps build staff pride in thecompany. They say that staff appreciates being engaged in local ‘give back’ programs and thatthese programs increase staff retention. Intrepid Travel offers payroll deductions for employeeswho wish to support projects through regular donations. Vail Resorts provides for staff toparticipate in volunteer projects, such as tree planting, alongside guests. The writers also notethat successful travelers’ philanthropy programs enhance the image of their tourism companiesas good citizens in the communities where they operate. In addition, the projects can enrich thetravel experience by bringing more intimate, organized, and meaningful interactions betweentravelers and local people.All writers of these case studies report that their companies’ travelers’ philanthropy programshave had a positive impact on business: Jane Crouch states that Intrepid’s philanthropicactivities have “definitely helped our business reputation and success.” She says that “40% ofour customers list ‘responsible travel’ as one of their top three reasons for choosing to travelagain with Intrepid.” Similarly, Maria Barquero writes that Punta Islita’s community projects have“definitely helped” to build “a healthy relation with community and the recovering ecosystem hasmade this a more attractive and unique destination.” In addition, she writes, the hotel’s “green”personality attracts a better clientele.29