The #StandWithTravel initiative appeals to travellers to pay today for their future travels to support daily wagers in travel industry tide over hardships accompanying Covid-19
The #StandWithTravel initiative is gathering movement with its appeal to travellers to contribute today and travel tomorrow to support industry daily wagers like tour guides tide over hardships accompanying COVID-19. A video, ‘Chhuttiyan’, spotlights the plight and survival struggles of small tourism segment.
Future travelers can contribute from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 to partner travel organisations of their choice and redeem their contributions when the destinations open up after the
As of now, the initiative offers travel to destinations like Alleppey (Kerala), Goa, Himachal Pradesh (including Spiti Valley), Kashmir, Ladakh, Maharashtra, North-east and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu).
Besides, contributors can avail of exclusive discounts from companies like Agoda, Zoomcar, Paytm, Vista Rooms and Pick Your Trail.
The StandWithTravel app, a member-only app exclusively for responsible travellers, gives members access to exclusive offers from top brands as well as local businesses.
The StandWithTravel initiative is a collaborative project of six Indian travel startups led by Ithaka. Other collaborators include Simply Offbeat, Spiti Ecosphere, The Hosteller, Uncia Trails and WanderOn to overcome the challenges posed by the coronavirus.
Simply Offbeat Holidays as the name suggests targets travellers interested in offbeat destinations globally, offering them home-stays, guest-houses, resorts and hotels.
Spiti Ecosphere is a social enterprise working on the triple bottom line of conservation, economy and development, ploughing back all revenues for local development.
The Hosteller is a chain of 10 backpacker hostels across India for global as well as local travelers, enabling them experience India’s rich heritage.
Uncia Trails is a tourism company offering customised treks to various regions in the Himalayas.
WanderOn is positioned as modern travel community for those interested in road trips and trekking expeditions in addition to corporate trips and customized tour packages.
Ithaka is a community-driven travel planning and social commerce platform for millennial travelers interested in experiential travel around the world. Ithaka is supported by Thomas Cook India.
Other partner organisations include:
Kipepeo, a socially responsible travel firm, is committed to creating an equitable society with the help of tourism. Kipepeo focus is on undertaking community-centric tours to bring the north-east closer to rest of India.
Gulmarg Riders specializes in a wide variety of tours, hikes, treks, and mountaineering expeditions in Kashmir.
Quest Academy Asia is an adventure sports training academy providing quality education to all aspects of aquatic sport, lifesaving & rescue while considering regional conservation and protection of natural resources and courses in kitesurfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, sailing and lifesaving.
Ladakh Travel Craft conducts wildlife and culture tours in Leh and Ladakh, amongst other activities.
The list is growing by the day.