Newcomer short-listed for prestigious responsible tourism award
Ethical volunteer recruitment organisation people and places has been shortlisted
for the prestigious WTM Responsible Tourism Awards 2007
Announcing the short list, Justin Francis, Director of Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism awards said…
“people and places
is a new style of volunteering organization that seeks to address the
current issues in the volunteering sector. It offers a high degree of
transparency in terms of where volunteer money is going. In addition,
all the projects are driven by a real local need and there is a
systematic approach to gaining feedback from the local communities. All
these things are essential for ‘responsible’ volunteering”
is a new style of volunteering organization that seeks to address the
current issues in the volunteering sector. It offers a high degree of
transparency in terms of where volunteer money is going. In addition,
all the projects are driven by a real local need and there is a
systematic approach to gaining feedback from the local communities. All
these things are essential for ‘responsible’ volunteering”
A few years ago, three travellers met by chance in a Gambian garden. Professor Harold Goodwin, Sallie
Grayson and Kate Stefanko were there for different, yet related,
reasons – Harold was advising the government on its national tourism
guidelines; Sallie was using her business skills in a volunteer
placement; Kate was designing a holiday for a newspaper readers’ offer.
Grayson and Kate Stefanko were there for different, yet related,
reasons – Harold was advising the government on its national tourism
guidelines; Sallie was using her business skills in a volunteer
placement; Kate was designing a holiday for a newspaper readers’ offer.
Discussions
rapidly centred on volunteer travel, with one overwhelming and
recurring theme – the extant chasm between marketing and reality in so
many volunteer offers. Both sides in the equation – volunteers and
local communities – oftne find themselves being sold a project idea
that bears little resemblance to the real situation.
rapidly centred on volunteer travel, with one overwhelming and
recurring theme – the extant chasm between marketing and reality in so
many volunteer offers. Both sides in the equation – volunteers and
local communities – oftne find themselves being sold a project idea
that bears little resemblance to the real situation.
“We
began to ask ourselves what we could do to address such potential
exploitation … our initial idea was to ‘name and shame’ through
targeted campaigning, but then we had a better idea: to achieve
positive and long-term change, we would develop our own unique model of
ethical volunteering, whereby all parties would be best-served and
which would be totally open and honest in all its activities, including
financial matters.We would prove that a community driven, responsible
and transparent model could and would work.” says Sallie Grayson
began to ask ourselves what we could do to address such potential
exploitation … our initial idea was to ‘name and shame’ through
targeted campaigning, but then we had a better idea: to achieve
positive and long-term change, we would develop our own unique model of
ethical volunteering, whereby all parties would be best-served and
which would be totally open and honest in all its activities, including
financial matters.We would prove that a community driven, responsible
and transparent model could and would work.” says Sallie Grayson
Thus in the winter of 2005 people and places
was born.The first volunteer was placed in April of 2006 and people and
places now recruits and matches skilled volunteers for projects insome
20 communities in Africa and Asia.Skills needed cross the whole
spectrum from bicycle repair mechanics and IT experts thru health
practioners and educators to business people and builders.
was born.The first volunteer was placed in April of 2006 and people and
places now recruits and matches skilled volunteers for projects insome
20 communities in Africa and Asia.Skills needed cross the whole
spectrum from bicycle repair mechanics and IT experts thru health
practioners and educators to business people and builders.
“These
awards are probably the most important in recognizing the achievements
of responsible travel operators. Three local partners in this ethical
initiative – Calabash Tours in South Africa , the blue yonder in India and Adama Bah
of facesandplaces in The Gambia – have been recognized with these
awards in the past, and we’re honoured to be in such company. This
accolade is not simply for people and places. It is also
recognition for our local partners, the volunteers and the projects –
it’s this working partnership that enables us to do responsible and
sustainable work.” said Kate Stefanko
awards are probably the most important in recognizing the achievements
of responsible travel operators. Three local partners in this ethical
initiative – Calabash Tours in South Africa , the blue yonder in India and Adama Bah
of facesandplaces in The Gambia – have been recognized with these
awards in the past, and we’re honoured to be in such company. This
accolade is not simply for people and places. It is also
recognition for our local partners, the volunteers and the projects –
it’s this working partnership that enables us to do responsible and
sustainable work.” said Kate Stefanko
The awards ceremony – WTM, Excel, London – Wednesday 14th November 2007 – www.wtmlondon.com
for further information about people and places contact
01795 535 718
