Tourism Cares Announces 2017 Volunteer Destinations

Travel Industry Supports City Tourism

Canton, MA—June 29, Tourism Cares—the philanthropic community of the tourism industry—today announced the host destinations for the 2017 Tourism Cares for Our Cities volunteer series: Detroit, Michigan; Oakland, California; Providence, Rhode Island; and Toronto, Ontario.

“We're bringing volunteers to fantastic— but less familiar— sites to immerse them in places where we can have a lasting impact, and to showcase and spread the word about the rich experiences these cities have to offer,” said Mike Rea, CEO of Tourism Cares.

Rea said Tourism Cares chose to focus on City Tourism in 2017 in keeping with the UN World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) recognition of City Tourism as a critical force in sustainable development.

“City tourism—with the economic and employment opportunity it creates—increases the well-being for the billions living in the world's cities,” said Don Hawkins, professor emeritus of tourism studies at George Washington University, special advisor to the UNWTO, and a longtime supporter of Tourism Cares. “The projects our industry will work on will affect not just the visitors, but will also enhance the lives of those who call these cities home.”

Companies and industry professionals looking to boost moral, celebrate the industry and their own teams—all while giving back— are encouraged to mark the following dates on their calendars:

1. Oakland, California, March 23-24, 2017 *Registration opens October 24.
2. Detroit, Michigan, May 10-12, 2017

                (National Travel & Tourism Week, & Travel's Big Give)

3. Providence, Rhode Island, September 14-15, 2017
4. Toronto, Ontario, October (exact dates TBA) 2017

At each location, volunteers will work with local partners to fulfill the most pressing needs of the city. In some cases it will be helping to transform the urban landscape by reviving public spaces or enhancing the accessibility of recreational facilities and amenities.

To celebrate their community, share best practices and enhance business relationships, Tourism Cares will also host Travel's Big Give in Detroit, as part of National Travel & Tourism Week. The inaugural Travel's Big Give will include educational programs on the importance of city tourism, as well as corporate social responsibility programs, and networking opportunities.

“Detroit and our hospitality industry partners are thrilled to have been selected to host Travels Big Give in conjunction with the Tourism Cares volunteer event during National Travel & Tourism Week,” said Bill Bohde, senior vice president of sales and marketing of the Detroit Metro CVB, “We look forward to welcoming industry volunteers from across the country and show them why Detroit is America's Great Comeback City. Their contribution to advancing our city is meaningful and will be appreciated for years to come.”

The project in Toronto will be Tourism Cares' first event in Canada.

“Our tourism and hospitality community in Toronto is ready and excited to be the first Canadian city to host the Tourism Cares initiative,” said Johanne Belanger, president and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “Tourism touches so many economic and social aspects of a city and we can deepen that connection by bringing industry leaders together to engage directly in community projects, which is at the very heart of the Tourism Cares network.”

Tourism Cares 2017 slate follows 2016's partnership with the National Park Foundation to focus on National Parks in honor of the National Park Service's Centennial.  More information is on their website: http://www.tourismcares.org/nps-volunteer-program/

About Tourism Cares

Tourism Cares, Inc., a US 501(c)(3) public charity, that preserves and enriches the travel experience for future generations. Founded and supported by leading associations and companies in the travel industry, the Tourism Cares community invests its resources, talent and influence in three areas: supporting underappreciated and at risk destinations and communities; investing in those entering the industry and professional development for emerging leaders; and sharing travel corporate social responsibility knowledge and best practices so that individual businesses can best support their own causes. Learn more at www.TourismCares.org and @TourismCares.

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