Volunteer during your next vacation! Some recharge their inner spirit by lying on a beach for a week; however travelers are learning that volunteering for a worthy cause is the best way to revive a weary soul. CheapTickets.com and United Way of America, the largest charitable organization in US, launched a new website to support consumers who want to book a volunteer vacation and be part of the growing trend of “vacationing with a purpose.”

Volunteer vacations are a growing trend among individuals seeking to give back during their time away from work and home. Travelers can dedicate a full week to their volunteer vacation of choice or simply take a day or two out of an already pre-planned getaway.

Through this new website, CheapTickets and United Way will focus on travel to communities across America to help people in areas of need. The organizations will also educate and arm travelers with information about volunteer opportunities available across United Way’s national network of over 1300 local United Ways.

“CheapTickets customers want the opportunity to support communities like New Orleans with their volunteer efforts during the day, while experiencing attractions like Bourbon Street’s jazz clubs and restaurants by night,” said Steven Barnhart, president and Chief Financial Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, which operates the CheapTickets brand. “We’re proud the United Way chose us to encourage travelers to volunteer throughout America, and equally proud that our organization is announcing an employee program to support this worthwhile mission, led by CheapTickets and the United Way.”

Orbitz Worldwide, a division of Travelport, Inc., announced to its employees plans to support this core value in partnership with the United Way.

“Volunteers are an essential part of what United Way does and how we make a difference in communities across America,” stated Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America.

“One important new trend in volunteerism is ‘volunteer vacations,’ where volunteers travel to a location in need and spend anywhere from a few days to a few months on a project. United Way is pleased to partner with CheapTickets to promote these unique volunteer opportunities and make them easy-to-arrange and cost-effective for those wanting to participate,” Gallagher continued.

The website`s features include: An interactive tool, powered United eWay’s VolunteerSolutions module, which allows travelers to search for cause specific volunteer opportunities. A spotlight of the month’s “Top Volunteer Events” that features great volunteer opportunities accompanied by travel discounts to the highlighted destination. A travel blog featuring the experiences and photos of consumers who have traveled on volunteer vacations. The first blog features United Way’s President and CEO, Brian Gallagher, as he discusses the importance of vacationing with a purpose.

CheapTickets.com volunteer vacations survey

Although Volunteer Vacations are becoming more commonplace, a recent survey fielded by CheapTickets.com suggests there is a need for more resources to help travelers learn about how to take advantage of local volunteer opportunities during their vacation.

Survey Results:

• 48% of travelers have heard of a volunteer vacation.



• 50% of respondents would consider taking a vacation for the sole purpose of volunteering.



• 55% of respondents would consider taking a day or two out of an already planned vacation to volunteer in a city near where they are vacationing.



• Only 5% had participated in a volunteer vacation.



• 68% of travelers would likely use a travel website to learn more about volunteer vacations.