As travel begins its recovery from the global pandemic, Tourism Cares, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, unveiled a new vision to a more sustainable and thriving future to better support the evolving needs of the people and places of travel.
Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, Tourism Cares has united the travel industry and mobilised it to create needed change. As a result, the organisation has furthered not only sustainability goals, but direct economic benefits for communities around the world.
To reflect its refreshed organisational approach to meet travel’s new sustainability challenges, it collaborated in a rebranding initiative and developed a new logo to complement its renewed positioning.
In its role as a catalyst for cross-sector cooperation within the travel industry, Tourism Cares expanded its membership categories to allow individual travel professionals to join.
“It’s a powerful new direction”, said Robin Tauck, Chairwoman of Tourism Cares. “We know that a large population of travel professionals are fueled by their passion to work in this industry and by the opportunity to use their work to make a positive change in the world. By uniting this great industry around sustainability, we deliver on a collective mission for meaningful and responsible action by corporations, foundations, businesses, and individuals. We welcome all to join us.”
Travel professionals can join Tourism Cares by making an annual $99 USD donation, which provides access to education platforms, professional development, consulting, and registration to Tourism Cares signature programs. More information is at www.tourismcares.org/professional-membership.
Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara said the organization’s focus on sustainability has expanded from assembling volunteer opportunities domestically to include models for global involvement and investment in social and environmental impact organizations. “As a result, we launch and participate in initiatives that support meaningful and responsible practices while also providing direct economic benefits, through tourism, for local communities around the world. In addition to fostering collaboration, we provide tools and resources that are creating the foundation for new models of tourism.”
“Our legacy has evolved to create positive social, environmental, and economic impact for the people and places of travel,” he said. “Our updated branding reflects a refreshed vision for the future and a renewed and strengthened commitment to come together as a global community.”
For more information on Tourism Cares initiatives and projects, visit www.tourismcares.org
TOURISM CARES ANNOUNCES DIVERSITY IN TOURISM FUND
Non-profit launches a grant fund to increase representation in the travel industry
The tourism industry recognises that one of its greatest assets is the cultural diversity of the destinations and communities it promotes, yet its own workplace is not representative of that very principle. Tourism Cares, the industry non-profit with a mission to unite the travel industry and use its positive impact to help people and places thrive, is addressing this important issue by launching a Diversity in Tourism Grant Fund.
“We elicit calls to action and it was time for us as an industry changemaker to make a difference by supporting the diversification of our industry,” said Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares. “There are many voices to be heard, faces to be seen, and this fund will help to bring them to the forefront.”
Tourism Cares will award grants that directly support programs and activities that increase diversity, equity and inclusion within travel, build capacity for underrepresented markets and amplify voices representative of the entire travel and tourism industry. Eligible programs and activities include training, certification, talent development, market research, and product development. Recipients may also utilize funding to supplement costs associated with mentoring, training or academic study for professional development programs that advance and upskill individuals and/or organizations.
For more information or to contribute to the fund, visit www.tourismcares.org/grants.
Tourism Cares uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as guideposts and these goals seek to reduce inequalities, support peace and maintain sustainable communities. As leaders of travel think forward to the rebound of tourism, diversity, equity and inclusion must be at the core of their recovery strategies to implement lasting change. The travel and tourism industry needs to do its part in this regard.
Tourism Cares remains committed to create an inclusive industry with the first Diversity in Tourism grantee being the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Washington, DC, which powers the National Blacks in Travel and Tourism Collaborative (BTT). The grant will support BTT’s Black Talent Tourism Directory (BTTD).
“We are honoured to be the first recipient of the Tourism Care’s Diversity in Tourism Fund. The generous contribution will help BTT level the playing field and advance Blacks in travel and tourism through our Black Tourism Talent Directory, which is designed to match the industry with untapped Black talent,” says Stephanie Jones, Founder, Blacks in Travel and Tourism Collaborative.
The Black Talent Tourism Directory is an online platform created as a matchmaking tool for small black and brown travel and tourism businesses, professionals and students to access business, employment, internship, speaker and media opportunities in travel and tourism. Through BTTD, a series of professional development webinars will be offered to help prepare Blacks in travel and tourism to take full advantage of industry opportunities. Industry stakeholders such as DMOs, travel associations, brands and media can join BTTD as industry partners and post opportunities to match with Black talent. Industry partners’ membership also support the maintenance and sustainability of the platform as an industry resource.
