Visit.org is Changing Global Access to Impactful Travel

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - February 15th, 2017

Visit.org is the debut marketplace for social impact travel experiences hosted by social ventures (nonprofits and other community-based enterprises) around the world. The startup is committed to the United Nation’s Year of Sustainable Travel with goals that align with the mandate to create sustainable consumption for travelers. Visit.org was established in response to the travel industry’s immense potential to generate economic sustainability for local communities. The $7T travel industry is the world’s top economic driver yet only 5% of earnings are left in local hands. The only entities that can guarantee that revenue from tourism activities stays in local hands are the local social ventures that offer access to their unique cultures. The platform’s technology enables these social ventures to create and market mainstream tourism products that will finance their missions using modern business practices.

Globally, there are 10M do-good organizations out of which at least 100K have the ability to offer excursions. Meanwhile, the demand for authentic travel has been growing 65% year over year since 2009. Visit.org offers immersive and impactful travel experiences hosted by social initiatives to raise awareness and increase revenue for their causes. The objective is to offer authentic activities that are unique to the organization’s cause and can be added to any trip itinerary. 100% of hosts’ revenue is invested back into the local community.

Visit.org reverses the traditional model of voluntourism; instead of the visitor providing a service to the local community, the local community provides a service to the visitor in the form of an immersive experience. Travelers may learn Peruvian weaving with Awamaki artisans ($60), cook traditional meals with immigrants in New York City ($124), or save sea turtles in Athens, Greece ($21). Once a person interacts with an organization they tend to become long-term advocates. In addition, 30% of the guests book another Visit.org activity within a week after their first transformational experience.

“We have an extensive vetting process with criteria requirements that ensure organizations are benefiting local communities in a meaningful, lasting way. Our set of values promotes cross-cultural understanding and respecting local customs.” Michal Alter, Co-Founder and CEO of Visit.org. Visit.org is the world’s largest platform for community-driven travel experiences, growing at a monthly rate of 24%. The platform offers 500 short activities in 64 countries that promote causes such as the environment, women’s empowerment, human rights, animal welfare, and heritage preservation. Prior to joining Visit.org many of these organizations did not offer a mainstream tourism product or have a meaningful digital presence.

A global network of 200+ remote travel Ambassadors help improve partners’ Visit.org profiles through their professional photography, videography and storytelling. In addition, Ambassadors assist in identifying and vetting new partner organizations. They also provide partners with advice and ongoing feedback to enhance their tourism offerings.

About Visit.org Inc.:
Visit.org is a NY-based startup founded in 2015 and is the world’s leading platform for social impact travel experiences hosted by do-good organizations. 100% of hosts' revenue is invested back into the local communities. The platform offers 500 immersive and impactful travel experiences in 64 countries. Visit.org won Columbia Business School’s award for Social Entrepreneurship, and the Inc. Magazine and Salesforce’s annual “Small Business Big Impact” competition. Key business partnerships include Expedia and TripAdvisor. Visit.org, meet the world in person! Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn and the Visit.org Blog.

Contact: Lola Méndez, Business Development and Communications, Lola.Mendez@visit.org

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