Celebrate Giving Tuesday: MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences that give something back

December 1 marks Giving Tuesday, a day of national celebration in the USA.  

This global giving day is all about taking something positive by giving back to the charities and causes that matter most to people. Although the day has its roots in US culture, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to reflect on the different ways we can give back to individuals and communities globally. Now, more than ever, our planet and its people are front of mind in the choices we make. And at Contiki, we believe that travel should empower you to make a positive impact on both.

Here’s how you can make your travel choices count with some of our best conscious MAKE TRAVEL MATTER^® experiences. From trips that invest money directly back into local communities, to experiences that raise awareness of important causes, our roundup offers something for everyone – all while enjoying the trip of a lifetime.  

Turtle Hospital Visit & Reef HQ Experience, Townsville

The Great Barrier Reef – and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – is staggering in its enormity (it stretches over 2,300km) and all-encompassing in its beauty. At present huge parts of the reef, which houses over 1700 species of tropical fish and birds and 20 types of reptile, are at risk due to climate change. On this Contiki Cares experience you’ll have the chance to visit a turtle hospital and learn all about reef protection with an expert marine crew. You’ll also find out how you can support the Reef HQ team to continue protecting the future of the world’s largest coral reef system.

 

Iraq Al Amir Women’s Cooperative, Jordan

As part of our work with TreadRight Foundation to support more sustainable tourism, the Iraq Al–Amir Cooperative Society aims to provide women in this area with new skills, business opportunities and greater financial independence. On this trip, located in Amman, Jordan, you’ll have the chance to meet this spirited local community by visiting the centre and interacting with the women. You can purchase the goods they’e made, which include pottery and handcrafted pieces, learn more about their lives and work, and enjoy a home cooked meal.

 

Cascais Street Art Tour, Portugal

This Contiki Care’s experience takes you on a walking tour through the neighbourhood of Cascais, west Lisbon, to learn all about street art with a story. The Cascais neighbourhood was historically regarded as dangerous and poverty-stricken but local street artists wanted to showcase a different side of the community, one that received unfairly negative perceptions from outsiders. They started a regeneration project of the area by creating an urban art gallery which, today, is celebrated and hosted by its residents to those who visit. You’ll have the opportunity to support ongoing development in Portugal’s local community and witness a visual story unlike any other.

 

Dhonk Centre, India

Despite huge disparities of gender inequality in India, there are women who seek to change the system from within. Founded by Divya Khandal, The Dhonk Centre is a handicraft centre based in Ranthambhlore National Park that sells everything from intricate crafts, furnishings and throws, to one-of-a-kind jackets and soft toys. Crucially, Dhonk was established to provide alternative forms of employment to former tiger poaches and their families. It now acts as a skills training institute for the local people of Ranthambohore who can learn a trade and sell their goods to tourists. On this Contiki Cares, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the centre and purchase these goods, enjoy tea with the women who work here, and learn more about the important story of Dhonk.

 

Kiwi Encounter, Rotorua, New Zealand

This Contiki Care’s experience gives you the chance to visit the largest, most successful kiwi hatching facility in the world. Kiwi Encounter is located in Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island. Here, it incubates and hatches kiwi eggs from across the whole of the island to grow the population of the endangered brown kiwi bird, simultaneously acting as a research facility too. This means it can continue to improve on and make changes to the important conservation of kiwis. So far, Contiki travellers have helped support incubation chambers and weighing scales for the facility. When you visit the centre all proceeds go directly back into the project.

 

Giraffe Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

Want to fulfil a lifelong dream of meeting local giraffes up close? If so, we’ve found you the perfect Contiki Cares! On this trip you’ll have chance to witness some of the most regal, elegant animals in the safari, and learn all about the centre’s rehabilitation and conservation work. The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi is a sanctuary that protects over 300 endangered Rothschild giraffes, and over 150 species of bird. Here you’ll have the opportunity to give back to local communities in East Africa and help support its wildlife decline. By understanding how we can better protect endangered species and local wildlife, we empower ourselves to make more conscious choices – for people and planet. 

 

Now, you can make the most of all of these trips, and more, in our awesome week of Cyber Trip deals. Until 3 December 2020 you’ll get 30% off all trips taken between 01 April 2021 til 31 October 2022. Start planning your next Contiki Cares adventure!