Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley of Peru will be the sites for the first Global Outreach program of Tourism Cares, the nonprofit organization which works to preserve the travel experience for future generations. The two-year initiative will kick off in May with a five-day program in Peru designed to unite colleagues and peers from North American and Peruvian travel and tourism companies in a series of events that will explore best practices to help preserve natural, cultural and historic sites in Peru.
Participation in the May 3-7th Go Peru Leadership Expedition is open to North American travel and tourism companies and supporters of Tourism Cares at three levels of commitment. The deadline for reservations is Friday, February 24th.
Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares, said “Our new Global Outreach program is designed to mirror Tourism Cares’ successful domestic model in key destinations around the world. Global Outreach will bring together industry leaders in sharing experience, expertise, talent and passion to assist in the conservation and preservation of iconic tourism destinations worldwide.”
GO Peru is a collaborative program of North American and Peruvian travel and tourism companies who are investing time and resources to support the May Leadership Expedition. North American and Peruvian industry leaders will share perspectives in an educational forum in Cusco, work side by side to clean up and improve a tourism site in the city, and also visit the ancient Incan sanctuary at Machu Picchu. In addition to the 2012 events, Tourism Cares has pledged to match funds raised by a new Peruvian charity, Turismo Cuida, comprised of eight Peruvian tourism companies, to provide grants and educational programs over the next two years.
Carlos Alberto Arrate, President of Lima Tours, who is one of the organizers of Tursimo Cuida, said “The Peruvian contingent of Tourism Cares’ GO Peru Initiative is preparing a memorable trip in May for those who will join us. We are setting up a sustainable local counterpart to Tourism Cares, “Turismo Cuida,” to replicate the successful model in our destination. We are thankful for having been chosen first and enthusiastic to participate in the Global Outreach program.”
Tauck World Discovery and Trip Mate are providing leadership funding for the Global Outreach initiative for three years. Key sponsors of the two year Go Peru grant program include and Amadeus North America, Collette Vacations, Fairmont Specialty, General Tours, Meridian Management Group, Odysseys Unlimited, On Call International, Ward Insurance Network, providing two years of support at the Global Partner level. Other participating companies include Adventures by Disney, Avanti Destinations, Berkely/AON, George Washington University, The Group Travel Leader, MaCher, NTA, Travel Weekly and the United States Tour Operators Association.
Brad Finkle, President of Trip Mate, said “We are so excited to partner with Tourism Cares to extend their good works, concepts and ideas to other countries. The Go Peru initiative has already shown us the enormous potential and impact the Tourism Cares approach can have globally for future generations of travelers.”
“Global Outreach 2012-13 is a significant, first-ever leap by our industry to collaborate and take action, with governments, industry, and universities in key countries in a shared vision of sustainable tourism, sharing best practices, new ideas and building longer protection and prosperity for all,” stated Robin Tauck, co-owner and past President of Tauck World Discovery. “We encourage others to join this innovative GO program as Tourism Cares now expands around the globe. Tauck is proud to be a Global Leader, a perfect fit to our 87-year family company vision and our love for these treasured places”
“Amadeus has been a proud supporter of Tourism Cares and its important mission for over 10 years,” said Carolyn Cauceglia, Vice President, Strategic Sales and Account Management at Amadeus North America. “Amadeus is proud to be a Global Leader partner of GO Peru. We believe that the preservation of these historical sites is critical for our future generations and will assure we continue to build a strong and long-lasting tourism economy.”
GO Peru is supported by a new partnership of eight travel and tourism companies in Peru. Turismo Cuida has been formed by: Aranwa Hotels Resorts and Spas; Coltur Peru; Delfin Amazon Cruises; Inca Rail; Libertador Hotels Resorts & Spas; Lima Tours; Viajes Pacífico; and Orient-Express Hotels, Ltd..
Tourism Cares, www.tourismcares.org