MARCOS GUEVARA
WHO IS TOURISM CARES ?
From assisting with disaster relief efforts around the world to hosting networking opportunities , Tourism Cares brings the industry together in order to make a positive change .
HOW CAN ADVISORS GET INVOLVED ?
Travel advisors can get involved by attending a summit , donating , utilizing the Meaningful Travel Maps or joining the more than 160 companies by becoming a member .
REDIT SHORELINES PHOTOGRAPHY
Communities connect with travelers during the experience day at Tourism Cares with Colombia .
COURTESY OF TOURISM CARES
Tourism Cares supports small businesses doing incredible things , like Eagle Wing Tours in Victoria , BC , by helping to expand their impact by connecting them to the travel trade through its Meaningful Travel Map .
Tourism Cares supported non-profits and social enterprises in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria , granting organizations like World Central Kitchen and CMTAS Yauco with grants to enhance food security across the island .
Cares has also created the Meaningful Travel Map , which is a tool travel advisors can use to find vetted , authentic products to offer their clients in destinations around the globe .
Takehara enjoys how Tourism Cares is an activator when it comes to the work the organization does , especially in the area of sustainability . And more importantly , they are relatable . “ It ’ s exciting because if I ’ m talking about climate change , for instance , I ’ m not a scientist , I ’ m just another travel and tourism person talking to the travel and tourism industry ,” he said . “ I love what we do because we ’ re relatable and we represent the industry .”
Tourism Cares use to focus mainly on a corporate model for membership , which sometimes made it difficult for travel advisors to join on their own if their host or agency wasn ’ t a member . This changed a few years ago . After realizing several advisors were working independently yet held a strong desire to be connected to Tourism Cares , the organization decided to offer a $ 99 annual professional membership which allows travel professionals to join individually .
“ I think it ’ s really helpful for the travel advisor community which tends to be a very large community that often can be working independently or aren ’ t really clear how they can connect with Tourism Cares ,” Takehara said .
Tourism Cares is celebrating 20 years in 2023 , and while a lot has been accomplished in those 20 years , there is still a lot of work to do . For Takehara , looking ahead to the future is exciting since this is not only one of his passions , but a passion for many in the travel industry : “ This is our livelihood ; this is what we do ; this is what we love to do , and therefore , we need to work together to ensure that we have a positive future .”
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