The Travel Foundation

Project Discovery with Thomson & First Choice

Thomson & First Choice have embraced this concept by introducing Project Discovery, their in-house volunteer programme partnering the Travel Foundation on various projects.

Since 2006, 53 volunteers have helped with 21 projects in 12 destinations.

Here's what some of the other volunteers have to say...

Dee Wright & Abigail Pugh, Turkey 2011

Abi and Dee's volunteer project involved researching how to encourage all inclusive holidaymakers to explore the area outside of the hotel, and spread the benefits of tourism to other local businesses.

Here's what Dee had to say about the volunteering experience...

'The opportunity to go on such a fantastic project gave us the chance to see just how much we can make a difference to people lives and promote holidays forever. Abi and I talked to local business owners, hotel management, our overseas teams, our local excursion agents and our holidaymakers about their thoughts on how we can work together to promote sustainable tourism:- the possibilities are endless.  We both feel very priviledged to have been selected, having always been passionate about Turkey as a holiday destination, we feel we had the chance to give something back to a country where we both worked and spent some very happy years as overseas representatives.'

Darren Collins & Terry Moohan, Morocco 2011

Darren and Terry went to Morocco in 2011 to investigate sustainable excursions. Working with stakeholders on the ground in Morocco, they developed two sustainable excursions to be offered to customers in 2012. We'll be able to report more on this soon!

Here's what Darren had to say about the volunteering experience...

'Project Discovery in Morocco has led me to understand more of the country, discover a wide variety of amazing people and refocus my energies on giving most value and support to communities where we can have the most long lasting impact.  What started as a simple task grew in not just depth but also personal commitment and desire to make a difference over a long term rather than just in a two week window.'