WASHINGTON, DC - The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Woodley Park will be the site of the first annual VolunTourism Forum. It is a collaborative effort of The George Washington University's International Institute of Tourism Studies, Travel Learning Connections' Educational Travel Conference, and Los Ninos' VolunTours(TM), and is supported by Cross-Culture, Travel With A Difference, and promotional partnerships with CSRwire and the University of Wisconsin -Madison.

There is an expanding interest in travel with a purpose. VolunTourism allows tourists to participate in environmentally and socially responsible travel that affords the traditional benefits of tourism while also serving a local community or destination. Sally Brown, President of Ambassadair Travel Club and Ambassadors For Children, refers to VolunTourism as "a life-changing experience."

Alumni association travel planners, destination marketers, tour operators, corporate and nonprofit executives, and meeting and incentive travel professionals will join their peers from around the world to learn "How To Create and Market Successful VolunTourism Programs & Events." The Forum is a pre-conference event of the internationally attended Educational Travel Conference, now in its 19th year.

Donald Hawkins, Eisenhower Professor of Tourism and Founder of the International Institute of Tourism Studies at The George Washington University will be the Master of

Ceremonies for a day that includes plenary sessions, workshops, and a hands-on VolunTourism activity called "Teambuilding With a Purpose: Bees Without Borders." Participants will practice what they have learned as they assemble beehives for a women's beehive cooperative in Mexicali, Mexico.

"To host a meeting or event that both accomplishes the goals and objectives of a client and delivers a socially responsible outcome for the destination, well, frankly, that is more than 'win-win,'" adds Ira Almeas, Founder of Impact 4 Good and a VolunTourism Forum speaker. Almeas sees the Forum as a major step in the development of this new cross-disciplinary focus of travel and service.

With countless opportunities to exercise social responsibility throughout the world, why would HR directors, tour operators, or meeting professionals develop VolunTourism programs for their employees and clients?

"For every company that wishes to make a difference, there is a relevant partnership cause," says Peter Turcic, incentive travel executive and author of Incentive To Care. "These partnerships and their charitable investments reap returns on multiple levels. The effect on the beneficiary is undeniable. Individual participants experience 'giving back' and its rewards. Corporate pride and loyalty are given a platform on which to emerge in a whole new way. Integrity and values are translated into a powerful internal and external marketing strategy. Revenues, profits and growth are protected - even increased - by gestures which do not pursue them."

For program and registration information on the VolunTourism Forum, send an email to: info@voluntourism.org.

VolunTours(TM), of San Diego, creates unique volunteer and community service opportunities for convention attendees and their guests. VolunTours(TM) is a social enterprise venture of Los Niños and was developed specifically to support community development activities in the Baja Border region. Additional information can be found at www.voluntourism.org.

VolunTours

VolunTours

More from VolunTours