Response from: Peter Daams    (04/30/08 9:35pm)

You have a good point Karen.

It always rings alarm bells when causes are used as part of a sales pitch. It can generate a lot of press and goodwill. That is worth something, so if the company is only donating token amounts - it could end up being a pretty cheap form of advertising for them.

Openness goes a long way to building consumer confidence though and I certainly would be the kind of person who wouldn't be convinced unless I knew more details.

At least they are trying to do something though and 5% is actually a pretty decent percentage.

Response from: James    (04/30/08 9:56pm)

Historically, the worldwide travel industry has generated large profits and delivered culturally insulated travel experiences while ignoring the welfare of the local communities their clients visit. Those greedy corporate practices excluded economically challenged communities from sharing a reasonable percentage of the prosperity created when travelers visit their World Heritage Sites, enjoy their culture and recreate in their unique environments.

Today, there are old line travel companies announcing their philanthropic programs and advertising a token 'giving back,' trip (of the year) or new companies donating to charity if you sign up by X date -just so they can market to you.

Please support the travel industry's rush to embrace the marketing value of Philanthropic Travel by gently reminding them to increase their commitments to community in at least direct proportion to their marketing campaign budgets. Defining and demanding the full potential of philanthropic travel lies quietly in the hands of you -the enlightened consumer.

http://tinyurl.com/57tx43


"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito." -Anita Roddick

Response from: Karen    (05/01/08 10:53am)

Peter, that' a good point that unscrupulous companies could use a "good cause" as a cheap form of advertising.

Yes Elevate Destinations are trying to do something, it would be good to have a figure put on that, clearly displayed on their site.

Response from: Karen    (05/01/08 11:02am)

James, I also think that pressure from travel consumers for cheap holidays is as much to blame for not giving back to communities as corporate greed.

You're right it is in the hands of the consumer to ensure that they themselves as individuals as well as travel companies behave ethically and have a conscience.

Do you work for Exquisite Safari, can you confirm that they donate $250 for every traveller who books one of their trips.

Response from: Dominique    (05/03/08 5:18am)

Hi--I am the founder and director of Elevate Destinations. Although the exact percentage of trip costs we donate is not sited in the introductory text on our home page, copy on specific destination pages (Africa and India) clearly states that we give 5% of trip costs to NGOs in the countries we visit. This is a good reminder to add this statement to all of our web pages.

We are happy to be a member of the growing philanthropic travel community, and feel that we have made a positive contribution in growing the voice of "giving back" through travel.

In addition to our donations, we organize donor travel for many leading international organizations, catalyzing large scale giving for urgent causes around the world: http://www.elevatedestinations.com/donortravel.html

As such, we perform a valuable service for small to mid size non-profits who would be strapped to organize this travel themselves.

Dominique Callimanopulos

Response from: Karen    (05/03/08 6:03am)

Thanks for you comment, Dominique. I think it would be a good thing if you mention the 5% on all the Elevate Destinations web pages. I did look for a figure on a few pages of the site and didn't find it.