Tourism Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainable travel, announced today that is expanding its membership categories to allow individual travel professionals to join.
The organization also unveiled an expanded vision to offer more support for local communities around the globe as well as the creation of a grant program to promote diversity in the travel industry.
"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 donation, which provides access to education platforms, professional development, consulting and registration to Tourism Cares signature programs.
Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara said that as part of the group's new vision, it is also rebranding and expanding its focus beyond assembling volunteer opportunities domestically to include models for global involvement and investment in social and environmental impact organizations.
"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."
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Takehara also announced the launch of 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," Takehara said. "There are many voices to be heard, faces to be seen, and this fund will help to bring them to the forefront."