| For the third consecutive year, The Travel Corporation sent a group of employees, representing nine company brands, on a trip to the Grand Canyon to volunteer in a hands-on plant restoration project. The Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation ( http://www.ttcconservationfoundation.com ) partnered with Tourism Cares ( http://www.tourismcares.org), a non-profit organization founded by the tourism industry to preserve many of the world’s natural sites for future generations of travelers. In addition to employees of The Travel Corporation’s shared services departments, other company brands represented were African Travel, Inc.,Brendan Vacations , Contiki, Destination America, Grand European Tours, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar , andUniworld Boutique River Cruises.
As part of the project, the 19 volunteers flew out to the Grand Canyon and worked along the Mather Point Visitor center. The Tourism Cares and the National Parks Services crew—headed by team leader Michael Wolcott—provided information, guidance, and support on restoring the natural vegetation to the area, located at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. This year’s group spent one full day planting over 200 native species in the area while removing invasive plants. The Grand Canyon Lodges supported the initiative and the volunteers by providing accommodation and meals.
“Our National Parks are America’s treasures that need and deserve the travel and tourism industry’s support,” said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director and CEO of Tourism Cares. “Tourism Cares is proud and pleased to team up with TravCorp companies and the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon for the third year in a row. Together, we’re making a difference and that’s what it’s all about.”
“TravCorp USA and The Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation are equally proud of this partnership. Both Tourism Cares and The Grand Canyon National Park Service have been very supportive of us making a contribution to the preservation of one of the Natural Wonders of the World,” said Richard Launder, President of TravCorp USA. “Given the scale of the Grand Canyon, our team is proof that even small teams, when determined, can make a difference. My special thanks to all of the staff who volunteer to participate in this noble cause. They all use their company sponsored “volunteer days” for this effort and we are proud of each member of the team.”
The TTC Foundation’s other projects include indigenous sustainable tourism, sustainable coastlines, and ocean conservation. For more information about The Travel Corporation and the TTC Foundation’s conservation initiatives, visit www.thetravelcorporation.com. |
