As we hear about new horror stories of our planet every day, we are more than excited about all the great charities, projects and associations we get to know. We love how they stand up for animals, the environment and people.
Today, we introduce you to a few organizations working with our hotel partners around the world.
A “Travel Agency for Humanity”: holidays for all
In 2013 Stephan Bode became manager of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb and sustainability in all areas has been an important concern for him right from the start. Enthusiasm and creativity combined with a pioneering spirit, he and his dedicated team have implemented various sustainable projects at the hotel – such as the social cooperation with Global Family Charity Resort, a “Travel Agency for Humanity”. The association enables families in difficult and sometimes even hopeless situations carefree holidays, if necessary, also with accompanying therapists.
“For families whose life is not normal, for victims of poverty, disease, violence, and wars carefree vacations and loving hospitality are more than holidays, it is the fulfillment of an unattainable dream,” explains founder Karl G. Auer Polaska his motivations. Hotels like the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA accommodate families for free and therefore giving many children the chance to experience their first holiday ever.
Plastic-free beaches from the Maldives to Thailand
Marina and Micha founded Ozeankind® in 2017. Their goal: collect 14,000 kg of plastic waste during their travels, exactly the amount of waste they had produced on average until that time in their lives. At the same time, they wanted to motivate as many people as possible to join them. Shortly after, the first worldwide Plastikrebell® (plastic rebel) clean-ups took place at beaches worldwide and one year later the project became an association. They also collected a lot of plastic waste at beaches on the Maldives with our hotel partner Reethi Beach Resort. Find out more about Ozeankind® and their projects in our interview with founder Marina.
“Travel Thailand in style, reduce plastic waste” is the slogan of the Thai Tourism Board (TAT) for more sustainable tourism. One goal is to cut down the waste from the tourist industry by 50% until 2020. That said, the TAT focuses on educating tourists. Unfortunately, many travelers are simply still not aware of what it means for our world to buy disposable plastic bottles every day or to leave their coffee-to-go cups carelessly on the side of the road.
Many initiatives are also open to tourists, such as Trash Hero, an international organization that not only organizes beach clean-ups on Koh Tao but also raises awareness on-site. Instead of buying plastic bottles you can buy a “Trash Hero” stainless steel bottle and have it replenished in many places on the Thai island. “Get Involved Koh Tao” is an association of several diving schools that work together on various conservation projects, from beach and reef clean-ups to a monthly Koh Tao Eco Day or coral afforestation. Here again, you can participate in all projects.
Adopt a whale at Timmendorfer Strand
Did you know that there are whales in the North and Baltic Sea? The porpoises are around 1,60 meters tall and at first glance might remind you of dolphins. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer porpoises, because they are threatened with extinction – and to blame are once again the humans: Bycatch by gillnets, the chemical pollution of the Baltic Sea, underwater noise and climate change led to destroying the natural habitat of porpoises in the last years.
Marion and Lambertus Muller manage the Lifestylehotel SAND on Timmendorfer Strand. They are committed to the protection and preservation of the environment for many years and are also to the porpoises. They once hosted a media event with “Whale and Dolphin Conservation” (WDC) at the Timmendorfer Strand to draw attention to the endangered porpoises – including a beach clean-up. This campaign will certainly not be the last and you too can campaign for a world where all whales and dolphins can live in freedom and security. At the WDC you can adopt a dolphin or a whale, donate, or organize your own campaign to promote whale protection.
By the way: Adopting a Humpback Whale or an Orca Whale makes a great Christmas present!
Get active and improve the world
You want to make the world better day by day, even on vacation? Some of our partners offer exciting projects to work on – even for longer stays, allowing you a deeper insight into the country and its people. Explore the diverse flora and fauna of the Peruvian rainforest with the Inkaterra Asociación, support the Balipara Foundation for Nature Conservation in the Assam Indian region at Wild Mahseer, or help the Dog and Cat Rescue Samui Foundation on Koh Samui next to Tongsai Bay. You can find more information in our blog post about volunteering projects.
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