This Travel Site Lets You Vacation to Create Social Change
Sometimes traveling to a foreign country can feel a bit jarring. And not because of the incredible culture or unique food, but usually because of all the tourist traps set in place to have you lumped together in the same spot spending your money at chain restaurants or stores. Luckily, certain travel companies are making changes to help avoid this situation and let you give back while you’re at it. U2Guide is a new website created by three friends with a shared passion for travel and social change.
Combining vacationing with sustainability and humanitarian efforts, U2Guide lets you travel to over 50 countries with someone well-versed in that culture and lifestyle. On top of that, booked travel is what funds the change, so you can vacation guilt-free while making a difference and supporting the local economy and the organizations set up to protect those people and places.
U2Guide also makes your trip more than just a tourist trap: You’ll adventure to hidden spots, indulge in the country’s delicacies and immerse yourself in local culture.
Sounds great, right? There are three ways you can get involved. First, you could book a travel experience with them. Second, you could become a guide or insider who works with travelers to book their tickets and extracurricular activities. And last, but definitely not least, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) can join the U2Guide and receive help in funding as well as marketing, becoming more visible throughout the world. All in all, NGOs benefit incredibly from the U2Guide network.
And like the U2Guide site says, “By travelling with U2Guide, you support their partners’ amazing projects.” Like the work being done by LOCAL-Haiti (Local Capacity Alliance) in Haiti, which empowers the local economy through participative methods in the fields of education, environment and livelihoods. Or Krousar-Thmey in Cambodia, which is a foundation for underprivileged children. And how about Instituto Terra in Brazil, which runs great reforestation and biodiversity conservation projects? Also among their amazing partners is the Surfrider Foundation in Europe, which defends, saves, improves and manages the ocean, coastline and waves in a sustainable manner. Whatever the cause, just know that your travel is helping do some good around the world.
On top of all that, U2Guide sets aside 50% of its net profit to fund the social and sustainable changes in visited countries. This allows U2Guide to create a community where leisure funds social change, all with your help. So are you ready to get the locals-only treatments and travel knowing that your money is being used to make changes in the world? We sure are!
Will you be travelling with U2Guide this year? Say why or why not in the comments below.
(Photos via U2Guide Facebook)
