Learn more online about Foundation-supported schools and villages you’ll visit on your adventure
October 14, 2011
Alan and I often say we’re not really in the travel business—we’re in the business of helping to change people’s lives. To us, changing people’s lives is about making connections; giving back, and also getting something in return. It’s about helping people in the villages we visit around the world, but also about how the local people our travelers meet help and teach them. It’s about our associates who work in our headquarters in Boston and around the world, helping them to know firsthand the rewards of giving back. It’s even about involving our vendors, and showing them who we are by giving them the opportunity to get involved.
In 1992, we established Grand Circle Foundation as a means to give back to the world that had already given us so much. Since then, we've pledged or donated more than $50 million worldwide to support the education of young people and the preservation of cultural treasures and traditions. Next month in Harriet’s Corner, we’ll be featuring a few of the great Foundation projects currently underway around the world. In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about some new enhancements on our website.
Travelers tell me time and time again that visits to schools and villages supported by Grand Circle Foundation rank among the highlights of their adventures—so I thought it was time to give our World Classroom schools and Day in the Life villages more attention on our website. We’ve added richer, more in-depth Foundation information to the “Trip and Air Details” section of some of our most popular trips. Look for Grand Circle Foundation's icon to see …
- Brand new pages detailing your Day in the Life experience (where applicable), including background on the villages, and what to expect from the day.
- A full listing of our World Classroom schools on each trip, and descriptions of the projects we’ve completed at each one.
- Suggestions on gifts to bring when you’re visiting a school—for all of you who have been asking!
- A general idea of when school will be in session.
Here's an example of the new Foundation page featured on Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia:
I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about the Foundation schools and villages you’ll be visiting on your next trip with OAT—and that your encounters with local people will change your life as much as we hope to change theirs. And, I'd love to hear your feedback on our pages. Email me at harriet@oattravel.com.