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Tourism Cares Creates Positive Change in Travel

Each month we feature inspiring people in our Travel Massive community from around the world who are empowering change in travel. This month we meet John Yonce, travel insider at Boston Travel Massive and director of advancement and engagement at Tourism Cares where he helps give back to travel.

What is your initiative about?

Tourism Cares is the philanthropic arm of the tour and travel industry; the Heart of Travel.

We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization that —

Is there a unique story of how it came to be? 

After 9/11, leaders of the major travel industry foundations answered the president’s call to national service by staging the first Tourism Cares volunteer event at Ellis Island in 2003.

How is your initiative financed?  

Our programs are financed through member dues, sponsorships, in-kind donations from partners, and grants.

How many people has your initiative helped? 

Over the past year, Tourism Cares has mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers, investing $250,000 in grants and labor to US destinations, $170,000 overseas, and $70,000 in industry professional development.

Group photo with TC logo

What has been your biggest challenge? 

Demand for what we do exceeds the current capacity of our small non-profit, so we are developing relationships with networks like Travel Massive — as well as our national and international travel association partners — to give back locally, and regionally, as well as nationally and internationally.

Can you share an inspiring story when you felt your project was most fulfilling?

We talk a lot about “look back moments” at the end of a volunteer event; for example in Leesburg VA, earlier this year, when our volunteers planted more than 1200 trees as part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground’s Living Legacy Project to plant a tree for every soldier who gave his life in the US Civil War, driving back home on the National Historic Byway that we just beautified was very satisfying!

Are there any myths or misconceptions you think people may have? 

Yes — philanthropy isn’t just for large or sophisticated travel companies, and most companies are already giving back in some way or form, just maybe not aligned to their strategic goals!  Truly engaged companies give from their marketing and HR budgets as well as their community budgets. Good giving is good for your company, as well as your industry and your community.

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What benefits have you seen from being a part of Travel Massive events and community? 

A great entre to an energetic network of professionals, who all got into travel for the right reasons!

What is the most meaningful travel experience you ever had?

Leading an overland tour cross country NYC → LA for the first time, leading a small group of young people from overseas, and seeing my country through their eyes.


Purposeful Traveler is a series that profiles inspiring people or projects making a purposeful change to the way we travel. You can connect with John on Travel Massive, Twitter or Facebook. If you know of a Purposeful Traveler who should be featured, email us.


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