MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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Adventure Travel, Africa, Conservation, Eco-friendly resorts and hotels, ecotourism, Environmental Activism, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel, travel philanthropy

African Travel Donates Funds to Help Support Rhino Conservation at Shamwari Game Reserve

September 19, 2019 MoralCompass

Celebrating 26 years of “conserving a vanishing way of life,” Shamwari Game Reserve has worked to rehabilitate and consolidate their 25,000 hectares of land so that the flora and fauna may flourish. African Travel’s $100 per couple donation in their name will go towards the building of the rhino boma at Shamwari. a haven to rehabilitate injured or orphaned rhino until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild.

BOCA RATON, Fla.– As World Rhino Day approaches, African Travel, Inc. encourages travelers to celebrate the species and support the future of these critically endangered animals.

In honor of The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) 100-year anniversary, African Travel, Inc., will donate $100 per couple traveling on the Majestic South Africa itinerary in support of rhino conservation.

This incredible 10-day journey begins in Cape Town, the stunning port city crowned by the natural beauty of Table Mountain. Over four nights, guests will enjoy 5-stary luxury at the Table Bay Hotel on the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and feast on African, Afrikaans and European flavors at the hotel’s Camissa Brasserie. From its culinary scene, to its natural beauty, the best of South Africa’s Mother City is revealed as guests explore the majestic coastline of the Cape Peninsula, the crowd-pleasing penguins of Boulders Beach, or the rich and charming winelands of Franschhoek, the gourmet capital of the Cape.

A different kind of beauty unfolds as guests fly to Port Elizabeth and transfer by road to Shamwari Private Game Reserve. This premier safari lodge encompasses 61,000 acres of vast, ever-changing vegetation and multitudes of different animal and bird species.

Celebrating 26 years of “conserving a vanishing way of life,” Shamwari Game Reserve has worked to rehabilitate and consolidate their 25,000 hectares of land so that the flora and fauna may flourish. The $100 per couple donation in their name will go towards the building of the rhino boma at Shamwari. a haven to rehabilitate injured or orphaned rhino until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild. Guest can also visit the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre which helps to rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of their professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat.

“We exist because our goal in life is to make travel matter. It’s our responsibility to protect some of the species most at risk from extinction in the places we visit, and we are extremely passionate about rhino conservation” said Sherwin Banda, president, African Travel, Inc. “At Shamwari, this is something our guests will experience first-hand and we’re proud that we’re able to support sustainable tourism through this effort.”

At Shamwari, guests will enjoy twice-daily game drives and nature walks and stay three nights at the cliffside Eagles Crag Lodge, which offers the ultimate in luxury, privacy and spectacular scenery. Priced from $6,195 per person.

For a bird’s eye view of Shamwari and African Travel, Inc.’s partnership and support of them, enjoy this video.

To book African Travel, Inc. at (800) 421-8907, or visit www.africantravelinc.com.

Follow African Travel, Inc. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation using the hashtag #WeKnowAfrica

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 40 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, visit us at TreadRight.org.

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travel philanthropy, Wildlife travel

Ultimate Holiday Gift: Rainforest Trust Hosts Public Auction for Naming Rights to 12 New Species Found in South America

November 16, 2018 MoralCompass

In time for the holiday season, Rainforest Trust is hosting the largest ever public auction of species naming rights. Holiday shoppers will be able to buy the gift of naming one of 12 new species recently discovered in nature reserves the Trust and its partners established in South America. These new-to-science species include a blue-eyed yellow frog, speckled red and green frogs, orchids, a trap jaw ant, a forest mouse, a worm-like caecilian, and a big-eyed red salamander. All proceeds directly protect the habitat of the specific plant or critter, helping save them from extinction.

The auction takes place primarily online and by phone. Pre-bidding starts November 8 online, and goes until December 8, 2018. The live auction takes place in Washington, DC during a private event on December 8 at 8pm ET as well as online and by phone for pre-registered bidders. The Freeman’s Auction House will be conducting the auction with support from Invaluable, an auction aggregator. Both are donating their services. Interested shoppers should visit https://auctions.freemansauction.com/auction-catalog/1618B to learn more and to pre-register for the auction. The minimum bid is $10,000.

Naming a species is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for people, companies, and nonprofits:

Interested in conservation and abating climate change
In search of a truly unique gift with direct impact
Wanting to leave a legacy

Over half of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed, and almost 70,000 acres more are lost every day. Rainforests are among the most important natural resources. They mitigate climate change, are a source of scientific discovery, and support unique plants and animals that are essential to biodiversity and therefore a healthy planet.

Celebrating 30 years of conservation success, Rainforest Trust is a nonprofit that purchases and protects the most threatened tropical forests, saving endangered wildlife through partnerships and community engagement. With the help of funders and partners, the Rainforest Trust has helped protect 28 million acres of rainforest since 1988. Auctioning the naming rights to the 12 newly discovered species will support the Trust’s work while protecting these fragile species and the nature reserves in which they live.

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises to Donate $750 for Hurricane Relief for Bookings Thru Oct 31

October 4, 2017 MoralCompass

To do its part to help reach Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ goal of raising at least $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is donating $750 per new suite booking made now through October 31, 2017, aboard eight select 2018 Caribbean voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer.

MIAMI, September 28, 2017 – To do its part to help reach its goal of raising at least $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, an inclusive luxury experience, announced that it is donating $750 per new suite booking made now through October 31, 2017, aboard eight select 2018 Caribbean voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer, one of the most luxurious ships ever built. Additionally, travelers making those new bookings will enjoy a savings of $750 per suite.

“We are deeply moved over the devastation that the hurricanes left in their wake, but thankful that many islands were spared the storms’ full force,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “We have been in contact with our friends and business partners who were severely impacted and they have all said the same thing, ‘we will rebuild.’ Their resilience and strength is truly inspirational and they are already working hard to return their towns to their radiance and charm — now it’s up to us to give them the well-deserved help that they need.”

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ donation and savings offer will contribute to Hope Starts Here, the hurricane recovery campaign of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which has committed to match up to $1.25 million in donations from its valued guests, team members, suppliers and partners. The applicable 2018 Caribbean voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer are:

January 3 11-night Eastern Caribbean

January 20 10-night Western Caribbean

January 30 10-night Eastern Caribbean

February 9 10-night Western Caribbean

February 19 10-night Eastern Caribbean

March 1 10-night Western Caribbean

March 11 10-night Eastern Caribbean

March 21 14-night Bermuda & Transatlantic

For more information about Hope Starts Here or to make an immediate donation that will be matched, visit www.RSSC.com/HopeStartsHere.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the world’s most inclusive luxury experiences with a four-ship fleet that visits more than 450 destinations around the world. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is currently undergoing a $125 million fleetwide refurbishment that will elevate the level of elegance found throughout the fleet to the standard set by Seven Seas Explorer, which entered service on July 20, 2016, and has since been recognized as the most luxurious ship ever built. A leader in luxury cruising, the line’s fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip domestic air and business-class air on intercontinental flights from U.S. and Canada, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, unlimited internet access, sightseeing excursions in every port, gratuities, ground transfers and a pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in concierge-level suites and higher. For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises, or to make a reservation, please contact a professional travel agent, visit www.RSSC.com, or call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-473-4368). For the latest news about Regent Seven Seas Cruises, please visit www.rssc.com/news; like the line’s Facebook page; and follow @RegentCruises on Twitter.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Partners with All Hands Volunteers for Hope Starts Here Hurricane Relief

October 4, 2017 MoralCompass

Cruise Company sets goal of raising $2.5 million and commits up to $1.25 million in matching donations to help reconstruct schools and critical infrastructure in the Caribbean

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway. In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. immediately deployed Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas, USVI to bring 35 pallets of much-needed supplies and assist in humanitarian efforts to evacuate residents and visitors. Additionally, one of the company’s newest ships, Norwegian Escape, also housed approximately 4,000 displaced guests who were unable to secure flights home due to hurricane closures. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

MIAMI, Florida – September 26, 2017 – Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today announced a partnership with All Hands Volunteers, the world’s leading disaster relief organization powered by volunteers, and set a goal to raise $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program. Under Hope Starts Here, the company is committing to match up to $1.25 million of donations from its valued guests, team members, suppliers and partners in order to substantially help All Hands Volunteers (hands.org), a 501(c)3 non-profit relief organization, and Happy Hearts Fund (happyheartsfund.org) deliver early relief response for the Florida Keys, and rebuild safe, resilient schools in the Caribbean islands impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“We are heartbroken to see the devastation that Hurricanes Irma and Maria have inflicted on the Florida Keys and several Caribbean islands, where our ships have been visiting since the beginning of our 50 years in business,” said Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “The Caribbean is part of our family, and we are grateful to work with All Hands Volunteers and Happy Hearts Fund to create the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program and do our part in giving back to these destinations. We’re proud to start our campaign with a $600,000 donation to help begin the rebuilding efforts.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and for our continued partnership with Happy Hearts Fund to provide their support and expertise,” said David Campbell, Chairman and Founder of All Hands Volunteers. “As the single largest donation in our organization’s history, this funding could not have come at a more crucial time as we work to rebuild communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands after the destruction brought by recent natural disasters, Hurricanes Irma and Maria. All Hands Volunteers will work together with the local communities to meet their long-term needs and rebuild hope.”

“We are thrilled to receive this donation from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and to work in partnership with All Hands Volunteers with their hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean islands and the Florida Keys,” said Petra Nemcova, Founder of Happy Hearts Fund. “This funding will allow us to together rebuild safe, resilient schools in areas most impacted by recent natural disasters to keep children safe, but also to ensure that these communities are not forgotten when the emergency response efforts are complete. Children often wait four or more years for schools to be rebuilt, and I hope that more companies will take the same thoughtful actions for long-term recovery.”

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. immediately deployed Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas, USVI to bring 35 pallets of much-needed supplies and assist in humanitarian efforts to evacuate residents and visitors. Additionally, one of the company’s newest ships, Norwegian Escape, also housed approximately 4,000 displaced guests who were unable to secure flights home due to hurricane closures. The company is continuing to collect essential items, including medical supplies, diapers, baby formula, water, food, construction materials, blankets, sleeping pods and more, and is working with partners on the ground to support disaster relief efforts. To help hurricane relief and recovery, and to make a donation that will be matched by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., visit http://www.ncl.com/hope-starts-here.

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