Volunturism grows at Sandals
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Volunteer tourism, aka voluntourism, has increased in Sandals’ Caribbean resorts following the launch of The Sandals Foundation two years ago. Ahead of his Hot Seat session at WTM’s World Responsible Tourism Day, Adam Stewart, CEO at Sandals, said that agents and guests had been supportive of Sandals’ projects. “It was always going to be challenging for me because the way we fix things in the Caribbean is to fix our own backyard first, so starting the foundation provides something outside the resorts,” he told Travel Daily. “I was always saying that we already do the programme in Sandals, so it should be rolled out.” Lambert said that the internet had helped spread the message of the foundation and now more people are involved. “More tourists want to give back,” added Heidi Clarke, director of programs at The Sandals Foundation. “Volunteer tourism is up and once guests see the centres and projects, they become a partner. It’s about making people aware of what is past the hotel walls. Agents on fam trips also visit the centres and get involved.”
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