August 21st, 2008, by Mary Winston Nicklin
Travel Trends: Voluntourism, and Give-Back Getaways with Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Volunteer tourism, a.k.a “voluntourism,” is a growing trend in travel, and more and more travelers are jumping on the bandwagon and planning to volunteer during their vacations. Forbes Traveler sums it up nicely:
There comes a point — generally when you’re on your third margarita, sunburned over 60 percent of your body and the kids are screaming in the infinity pool — when you start to wonder if there is more to the whole vacation concept than lying on a beach getting toasted. A way of showing thanks for your own good fortunes, perhaps. You want a chance to contribute more to a local economy than buying overpriced trinkets that neither you nor your friends back home really need.
Ritz-Carlton has taken notice. They’ve created the Give Back Getaways program- to offer guests a chance to give back to the community with half-day local community experiences, working alongside Ritz-Carlton Ladies and Gentlemen in a Community Footprints humanitarian or environmental project. All profits from the Give Back Getaways programs are donated to the partner organizations. An example is the Blue Iguana Recovery Program at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, led by naturalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, where guests assist with the breeding program to help a unique species on the brink of extinction.
Kashia: "Would you happen to know if there is gonna be a New"… [Go]
Macheva: "I'd like to know something else about This hotel. Can I"… [Go]
George Alexandrou: "Capella Ixtapa, is the perfect secluded and exclusive resort. When you"… [Go]
George Alexandrou: "Hands down the best beach on the island of Hawaii, the Mauana"… [Go]
Travel guides: "Fans from all over the world want to come and see the"… [Go]
George Alexandrou: "Le Toiny is the hotel of St Barths. With a more"… [Go]
simone greer: "hey garth brooks should come to brisban he is the best country"… [Go]
Anna De Paooli: "This would be the dream of my life!! that I cherish forever." [Go]
anonymous: "The Kristiania Lech in Lech, Austria is missing." [Go]