WFP USA Welcomes Kind Traveler As Its Newest Supporter
Washington, D.C.—World Food Program USA is excited to welcome Kind Traveler as its latest supporter in the fight against global hunger.
Kind Traveler is the world’s first “Give + Get” hotel-booking platform that transforms travelers into a financial force that benefits communities, the environment, and animals. Travelers can donate to a local or global charity and, as reward for their donation, they get an exclusive rate to book directly with the world’s best hotels and unique properties.
100% of the donations raised through Kind Traveler are given to charities like World Food Program USA, which builds U.S. support for the mission of the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest hunger relief agency.
“Solving global hunger requires the support of U.S. consumers and companies alike,” says Rick Leach, President and CEO of World Food Program USA. “By providing ways for consumers to contribute to our mission, this new venture is empowering everyday travelers to become humanitarian heroes.”
Considering the financial power of the $7 trillion travel industry, WFP USA’s newest supporter has tremendous potential for positive global impact. Last year alone, people around the world took more than 1 billion trips. Meanwhile, nearly 75% of travelers polled in Phocuswright’s Good Travels research study believe it’s important that their travel dollars benefit the communities they visit. The study also found that price is still the leading reason for booking with a particular travel company. By offering an exclusive rate on the hotel stay, Kind Traveler has created a solution that addresses both the consumer’s price motivation, as well as their desire to make a difference.
Another major distinction between Kind Traveler and other travel booking sites is their desire to educate. According to Phocuswright, “Three of 10 giving travelers were prompted to volunteer or donate because of something they read, heard, saw or experienced.” Kind Traveler’s blog provides stories that inspire travel while underscoring the importance of giving back, living consciously, and choosing with purpose. By sharing the stories of WFP’s impact on the planet’s most vulnerable families, Kind Traveler is building awareness of the one in 9 people worldwide who will go to bed hungry tonight.
“Our win-win platform offers solutions for everyone,” said CEO & Co-Founder Jessica Blotter. “For travelers, they become warriors for good and support hotels that are making a positive impact in the world – while receiving exclusive hotel rates. For hotels, they cultivate new relationships with cause-minded consumers and take another step towards corporate social responsibility. For charities, they receive 100% of donations and a new, sustainable channel for fundraising.”
Kind Travelers can now book hotels in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Palm Springs, Orange County, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Manzanillo, and Turks and Caicos, with more destinations to come. This charity-driven social enterprise would not be possible without the support of hotel partners such as Virgin Hotels Chicago, 1 Hotel South Beach, 1 Hotel Central Park, The James Chicago, The Benjamin, Paséa Hotel & Spa, COMO Parrot Cay, COMO Metropolitan, The Hollywood Roosevelt, Two Bunch Palms, Colony Palms Hotel, Hotel Angeleno, Hotel G, Serrano Hotel, Kensington Park Hotel, The Mosser, Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa, Las Brisas Acapulco, and Las Hadas Golf Resort & Marina Manzanillo.
About Kind Traveler
Kind Traveler, a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), is the first digital ‘Give + Get’ hotel-booking platform to transform travelers into a financial force that benefits the wellbeing of communities, the environment, and animals. Travelers “give” to a local or global charity; as reward for their donation, they “get” an exclusive rate to book directly with the world’s best hotels and unique properties. 100% of the donations raised on the Kind Traveler platform go directly to charities.
About World Food Program USA
World Food Program USA is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme, the largest humanitarian agency solving hunger worldwide. Together we’re building a future free from hunger and delivering hope to the world’s most vulnerable families.
Media Contacts:
Jessica Parker; jessica@tripwhisperer.nyc; (484) 410-7122
M.J. Altman; mjaltman@wfpusa.org; (202) 627-3932
