Different Travel in the Media

Press releases

For Immediate Release - 04 December 2006

Voluntourism growing because of 'ethical revolution' says Different Travel
Voluntourism specialists Different Travel is planning major expansion in 2007, because the popularity of combining short-term volunteer work with small group discovery travel is continuing to grow due to a consumer led 'ethical revolution'.

Speaking as he announced details of their 2007 holidays, company founder Adrian Yalland said "More than ever before, the consumer is aware of environmental and development issues, and is increasingly choosing to use tourism for positive purposes. Ethical issues are now driving many business practices – and tourism is part of this consumer led 'ethical revolution'. The demand for combining relaxation, sightseeing, adventure, authentic and ethical travel experiences and doing something positive for local communities is growing strongly, and that is the reason for expanding the number of locations in 2007, and why we want to get our holidays into the high street travel agents, as well as selling on line".

Explaining that in 2007 Different Travel will be going to over a dozen different countries, supporting over 30 development projects, and that all their holidays will be carbon neutral, Adrian also announced special deals for solo travellers. "At least a third of our customers are solo travellers. So we have tried to negotiate hard on their behalf to produce a number of holidays where there will be no single supplement".

"We want to offer people the totally different kind of travel experience which increasing numbers of people are seeking. An experience which combines relaxation in high-quality accommodation, and the peace of mind that comes from having flights, transfers, transport and itinerary sorted, with opportunities to make a real difference to local communities through working with local people to build better futures, and knowing the holiday is not harming the environment. This is the kind of ethical approach to travel which the 'ethical revolution' will make common place within a few years. But we want to pioneer this concept, not follow others".

ENDS

For further details, please contact Sarah Yalland on info@different-travel.com

Notes to editors:

Different Travel was established in 2003, and started offering holidays in only two countries. But in 2007 – its third year of trading - it will be operating in the following countries:

* Ecuador (The Galapagos)
* Peru
* Brazil
* Morocco
* Zambia
* Tanzania
* Nepal
* Tibet
* India
* Sri Lanka
* Laos
* Cambodia
* Vietnam
* Thailand

Different Travel operate (1) two-week voluntourism packages, (2) voluntourism charity fundraising challenges and (3) corporate events which involve volunteering on community projects

Different Travel is currently in negotiations with a major travel agent consortium to secure listings in high street travel agents

All Different Travel's holidays will be carbon neutral, as it will be off-setting the carbon emissions of all flights, transfers and transport for each holiday

Examples of Different Travel Holidays:

Galapagos Islands Adventure

Location: The Galapagos

Details: A combination of a day's sightseeing in the capitol of Ecuador, four days project work on Floreana Island along side National Park rangers, cleaning up beaches and removing non-indigenous plant life, a day/night trek up the Sierra Negro volcano on Isabela Island, and three days spent visiting the other islands – each with their own unique feel and environments - which make up this fascinating archipelago. Costs include flights, transfers, all transport, meals and a donation towards the costs of the projects.

Sri Lankan Volunteer Holiday

Location: Sri Lanka

Details: A one centre holiday, based at the excellent quality 3-star Unawatuna Beach Resort near Galle (with opportunities for sight seeing elsewhere on the island). Spend your time divided between relaxing on Unawatuna's wonderful beach, and working on various local community development projects ranging from refurbishing orphanages, care homes and schools, to teaching conversational English, working with disabled children and adults, or sharing a relevant skill. Price includes flights, transfers, driver and transport, group escorts and project managers, half-board accommodation, a one-day sightseeing tour of the southern part of Sri Lanka and a donation to support the projects.

The Roof of The World – Discovering Nepal and Tibet

Location: Nepal and Tibet

Details: Spend time experiencing the highlights of Nepal and Tibet. Spend a night in Kathmandu, followed by three days helping on local community development projects in the village of Nuwakot – an area rich in cultural heritage as it is the old capitol of Nepal. Work includes refurbishing buildings, skills sharing and teaching. Then, take the journey of a lifetime, crossing the Himalaya by aeroplane, where you will fly past Everest en-route to four days in the ancient Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Finally, return to Kathmandu in a five-day 4WD adventure across the arid Tibetan plateau, surrounded by some of the world's highest peaks and most impressive scenery. Costs include flights, transfers, accommodation, meals (either half board or B&B), all transport, local guide/escorts and a contribution towards supporting the projects.

The Moroccan Adventure

Location: Morocco

Details: Enjoy a trip through Morocco with a real difference, as you get inside the culture of this amazing country – learning about its history through meeting its peoples. As well as spending time immersed in the atmosphere of the Kasbah and the Souk, driving through the amazing Altas Mountains, enjoying the luxury of a local Hamman bath and eating the delicious food of this wonderful part of North Africa, you will also make a difference to the disadvantaged residents of a care home for disabled people by spending two days accompanying the residents (and their carers) of a local home for the disabled on a mini-break, walking in the Bougmez Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. Other highlights include two full days in Marrakech, a day/night in the wonderful coastal town of Essaouira – seeing the old walled city of Mogador. Costs include flights, accommodation, meals, transfers and transport and the costs of providing the holiday for the disabled people and their carers. Accommodation is in good quality local owned riads and 3-star hotels.

The Zambezi Challenge

Location: Zambia

Details: Experience the journey of a lifetime, as you enjoy a five day Canoe Safari, followed by a three day 'Community Challenge' in Zambia! First, experience waterborne safari, as you canoe down the Zambezi River, spotting wild game as you go! Dodge the hippos as you play 'I spy' with the great and good of the animal kingdom. Then head north to Ndola, to help improve facilities at a school for children orphaned by AIDS, cared for by the Hands of Compassion Community Centre near the Chipulukusu squatter township. Experience the reality of the poverty in a nation which has the world's 13th lowest life expectancy rate (currently less than 40 years), where 25% of the population are HIV+ and where there are 700,000 AIDS orphans. Finally, you can opt to extend your trip to visit the breathtaking Victoria Falls – the planet's largest curtain of water, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Costs include flights, transport, drivers, tour guide, project manager, meals and accommodation in three star hotels, and a donation to support the community centre. NB – this tour is also operating as a charity challenge, where extra funds on top of the headline price can be raised to support the work of the Hands of Compassion Charity.

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