Travel News

Athletic Voluntourism: Travel, Compete & Give Back!

Locations in this article:  Los Angeles, CA Miami, FL New York City, NY San Francisco, CA

Travel Industry Philantropy

It’s not just about the cruise industry. Airlines and tour companies are supporting different charities and athletic events.

“American Airlines supports the Susan B. Komen: Run for the Cure (a women’s breast cancer charity),” says airline spokesperson Ned Raynolds, “And that includes a lot of 10K races at the local level all over the country.”

Richard Branson’s mother, Eve Branson, headed the sports and philanthropy divisions for Virgin. Philanthropy pays a large part in almost every venture the Bransons support.

G Adventures began as a backpacking experience envisioned by a student, Bruce Poon Tip. Now the operation is so big that the price of the ticket for each venture includes funds to be donated to local charities, worldwide. “It was a natural progression,” says Tip, “hike, bike, climb, swim — and give back.” The organization is hosts a series of community service trips.

High-end tour operators Abercrombie & Kent‘s Geoff Kent and now-ex-wife Jorie Butler Kent virtually reinvented big ticket fundraising. Their organization’s recently incorporated fundraising for Friends of Conservation into sponsorship on the polo field.

Are you racing for a cure, cycling for a cause, or taking part in another athletic event? Tell Peter and Marcy all about your experience.

For more about voluntourism, check out:

By Marcy MacDonald for PeterGreenberg.com

Image credit BigStock