Just wanted to quickly add in at the top of this, all of you imbeciles who sent me hate mail because I talked about tourism and Cuba… you need to get a life.
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For those of you who aren’t on the Ethical Traveler mailing list I wanted to let you know about this exclusive R&D trip that’s being organized to Cuba for travel professionals only. If you have ever thought about offering Cuba as a destination this is THE trip to make the connections you need.
I think voluntourism will boom when Cuba opens and I’d love to see some of the organizations make connections early in the country.
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Ethical Traveler and Global Exchange’s Reality Tours have joined forces to create an extraordinary journey: an in-depth exploration of Cuba, with a focus on the country’s huge potential for mindful travel and tourism.
The delegation will be led by Malia Everette – who has been facilitating educational and customized trips to Cuba for 20 years and overseeing Reality Tours to Cuba for over 13 years. Jeff Greenwald, Executive Director of Ethical Traveler, will be co-hosting the delegation. During the 11 days in Cuba the delegation will meet with grassroots community organizers, and visit ecotourism projects across the island. The group will dialogue with cultural leaders, educators and travel professionals, exploring how the future of US/Cuba relations will create new opportunities for the ethical traveler. Participants can look forward to experiencing some of Cuba’s timeless attractions—including Old Havana and Viñales Valley (World Heritage Sites), the Tropicana Nightclub, the white sand beaches of Varadero, and emerging ecotourism resorts in Pinar del Rio and Cayo Coco.
Because of US/Cuba travel restrictions, this delegation is strictly limited to travel and recreation professionals (including travel writers and educators) traveling to Cuba for professional development and educational purposes only. Please be assured that Global Exchange is a licensed travel service provider by the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. We encourage to you to consult your tax advisor — for travel professionals, this tour is fully tax deductible, including the segment ($1,000) that will be used as a donation to Ethical Traveler, a California 501c3.
This is an exceptional trip that will fill very quickly, so we encourage interested parties to reserve a space as soon as possible! If you are a member of the media or have time sensitive questions, please call Malia at 510-290-0573.
Program Highlights:
- Meetings with Cuban tourism officials
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- The provinces of PINAR DEL RIO, MATANZAS, and SANCTI SPIRITUS
- Cayo Coco and Varadero Resorts
- Eco Tourism sites
Ask the Cuban tourist officials why Cubans are not allowed to travel freely. And while you’re visiting old Havana, I recommend you wander away from the tourist area and check the the ecology of the sewer system the average Cuban live with. Also, watch Cuban state sponsored thugs beat up the ladies of Las Damas de Blanco, or ask to visit a political prisnoner, Dr. Biscet for instance who is serving a 25 year prison sentence for criticizing the Castro dictatorship. How’s that sound for “mindful” tourism.
[...] Alexia Nestora is a voluntourism industry consultant, and her blog offers tips and advice for those interested in combining their travel with volunteer opportunities. Some interesting recent posts include Voluntourism a Setback for South Africa’s Orphanages, Core Principles, and Voluntourism and Cuba. [...]
[...] Alexia Nestora is a voluntourism industry consultant, and her blog offers tips and advice for those interested in combining their travel with volunteer opportunities. Some interesting recent posts include Voluntourism a Setback for South Africa’s Orphanages, Core Principles, and Voluntourism and Cuba. [...]