Making a meaningful difference is at the heart of Travel Kind – Australian Travel Agents Co-Operative (ATAC)’s new community impact program launched at this month’s Future Focus Conference in Adelaide.

In partnership with the Intrepid Foundation, Travel Kind is a collaborative force for good supporting global charities which champion global issues.

The inaugural beneficiary is the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a non-for-profit charity working to end human trafficking in Vietnam.

Founded by Australian teacher Michael Brosowski in 2004, Blue Dragon helps more than 40,000 people in Vietnam annually. The charity has successfully advocated for the revision of three national laws, rescued 1846 people from trafficking, enrolled 7590 children back into school and training, and provided shelter for 2040 children.

In the lead-up to next year’s ATAC conference, members will vote on the charity Travel Kind will support over the following three years, giving them ownership and further opportunity to engage.

ATAC chief executive officer Michelle Emerton said that real, genuine difference would be made through collaboration and shared values.

“In launching Travel Kind, we are proud to take a meaningful step forward with our members and their customers to make a real impact,” she said.
“A co-operative is all about community, our members can contribute to their local communities, but this gives them a way to be a part of a global community. We’re the inaugural consortium in travel to launch this partnership with the Intrepid Foundation.
“We find people walk away from an international destination and want to give but often don’t know how to give and how it’s going to be a valuable give. With Travel Kind, 100 per cent of what is donated goes to the charity.”

The announcement coincided with the three Australian legs of the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk, an annual fundraiser which takes place across 11 locations globally.

In unveiling the partnership, Blue Dragon co-chief executive officer Vi Do delivered a moving presentation on day three of the conference and said it was a privilege to partner with ATAC.

Vi Do, co-CEO of Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation:

"It was wonderful to be at the launch of Travel Kind and seeing first-hand travel agencies coming together for a cause greater than themselves. Travel is not only about seeing a place. It’s about connection, compassion, and giving back in a meaningful way. All of us at Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation are immensely grateful to ATAC and its members for leading this effort to support vulnerable children and communities in Vietnam. The donations received through Travel Kind will have a profound impact. They will keep children and families safe from human trafficking and exploitation, and help them thrive."

Read more about Blue Dragon here: Blue Dragon Children's Foundation

Travel Kind is already making headlines—https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-mitchell-4965569/

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