Travel for a Cause/ Give Back

I’d written about fostering an orphan elephant recently – see blog. I was able to work with my partners at Big Five Tours to foster an orphan elephant. While it was fantastic to be part of that client gift with my friend Ashish Sanghrajka (President of Big Five Tours), the whole experience really resonated with me. It changed me. It made me pay attention more to matters concerning conservation and sustainability, and focus on giving back.

It was really neat for me to be a part of giving a gift that changed me. How neat would it be to be part of that yourself? Imagine giving a gift that changed you as a giver?

Any residual impact on my or your recipient will always wonderful, of course…. but… knowing that a gift is supporting a cause is important.

Fostering orphan elephants is an important cause. I certainly knew that poachers were killing elephants for their tusks, but when I learned they were poisoning salt licks with cyanide so the cowards don’t even have to face these majestic animals to kill them, I thought we were reaching a terrible new low.

I’ve decided that my 2016 is going to be focused on responsible tourism, conservation, and sustainability.  I still want to be able to help my clients see the globe, and help them give the gift of memories to their loved ones by traveling with them; of course. But, I want to ensure I’m promoting, and working with partners, who share those goals. We want to focus on the planet.

I would like to suggest that when you travel, youtravel for a cause.

I would like to suggest that when you travel, or when you shop generally, you consider the impact of your travel or your gift.

I would like to suggest that when you travel, you give back.

Sure you can buy regular travel-themed gifts for your loved ones. See T&L gift guides. But, this becoming a ‘better global citizen’ is starting to take hold. Travel and Leisure also has an article about “travel for a cause” that partly inspired this week’s newsletter. See T&L travel for a cause .  It’s becoming more widespread as well.Travel & Leisure has 18 gifts you can give for Christmas that involve you giving back. Why not pay it forward this Christmas?  T&L Gifts that Give Back

And, maybe I can help you give back too! I love working with partners that are recognized for their work with conservation and sustainability. People like Virtuoso sustainability tourism leadership award winners, like Lindblad, Big Five, or Natural Habitat. Book a trip with one of these partners with me before the end of the year, and I will personally donate $100 in your name to your charity of choice.  Here are the press releases about their awards:

Embassy of Iceland & Lindblad Expeditions

1. Lindblad Expeditions:  2013 Winner

2. Big Five Tours:  2014 Winner

3. Natural Habitat :  2015 Winner

See this video about a recent event I did with Lindblad Expeditions highlighting travel to Iceland, with the Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa.

I also have to highlight my friends at Fogo Island Inn. In two short years, they’ve won oodles of awards for their work on rebuilding a community, and giving back. See this article about you taking a vacation and giving back here. And click here to see some awards Fogo has received, like the Pure 2015 National Geographic Lodges.

Book a trip to Fogo Island Inn with me before the end of the year, and I will personally donate $100 in your name to your charity of choice. Have a look at this wonderful TVO  documentary shows what  Fogo Island Inn is all about, and how it came to be.

http://tvo.org/video/documentaries/strange-and-familiar-architecture-on-fogo-island  My daughter also made this wonderful video that highlights our 2015 stay at Fogo Island Inn.