Luxury operator launches ‘voluntourism’ holidays
Luxury tour operator ITC Classics has begun to sell so-called ‘voluntourism’ holidays, combining volunteer work with luxury holidays.
Launching on April 6, its Giving programme offers clients the chance to pay to travel to far-flung places and take part in carefully-selected community projects as part of upmarket itineraries.
Clients can work in education, health and social care, conservation and wealth creation in destinations including South Africa, Morocco, India, Thailand and Peru.
ITC has launched the programme in partnership with ‘people and places’, which has been audited by the Responsible Tourism Agency.
CEO Jennifer Atkinson said: “Today’s traveller is more aware than ever of their social responsibility and is in search of ever-more meaningful experiences. It was this feedback from our clients combined with our commitment as a business to give back charitably that instigated the development of the ITC Giving programme.”
A 12-night trip to Morocco costs from £3,150 per person based on two sharing, including accommodation at Kasbah Tamadot (Atlas Mountains) for 7 nights, including one night at leisure at Kasbah Tamadot, four nights learning about the cultural, social and economical background of healthcare and education in the villages of the High Atlas Mountains, two more nights at La Mamounia in Marrakech at the end of the trip.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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