World Travel Market exhibitors and other organisations are `rolling up their sleeves` to get involved in this year`s `Just a Drop` big push to raise money…
World Travel Market exhibitors and other organisations are `rolling up their sleeves` to get involved in this year`s `Just a Drop` big push to raise money that will help save the lives of thousands of children worldwide.
The international industry charity – now in its seventh year – helps to fund water and sanitation projects where ever they are needed. Four million children die every year from diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera because the only water they have to drink and bathe in is dirty and polluted. A total of 1.4 billion children have no access to clean water, near to their homes.
The charity, which has its own independent Board of Trustees and official charitable status from the Charity Commission, was named `Just a Drop` because a little over £1, €1.55 or $1.45 will provide a child with clean water for ten years.
Founder and Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: ” The money raised by `Just a Drop` is desperately needed in many parts of the world. We are looking to find as many companies, organizations and travel professionals who will help with this worthwhile and rewarding work.
“It is a means of giving back to the world as well as knowing you are helping to save the lives of children who, in many regions of the world, do not even have a right to life.
“You might want to involve staff, suppliers or customers in raising money or simply give a donation. Perhaps you might want to add a fund raising element to a promotion on your stand at World Travel Market or at an event you are planning during the week.
“We will help to promote all fund raising ideas as well as assist with advice.” She said that they were starting to receive plans for innovative and unusual fund raising efforts prior to and during World Travel Market.
The Key to Holland
Holland is typical of the kind of creative ideas that World Travel Market is encouraging. Staff from the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, in association with Royal The Hague, Travel Trade Gazette UK and Thomason Cities and Shortbreaks is literally getting on their bikes for `Just a Drop`.
On the opening day of World Travel Market (Monday 8 November), employees are undertaking a sponsored ride on typical Dutch bicycles from central London to the venue, London`s ExCeL. They are looking for as many people in the industry as possible to sponsor them and give them encouragement.
The bikes will play an important part in the `Key to Holland` promotion, to be held on Thursday 11 November, aimed at raising awareness among UK travel agents of Dutch city breaks.
Before the exhibition, agents will receive a key and asked to bring it along on the afternoon of Thursday 11 November to the Holland stand (EM3030) at World Travel Market to see if it will unlock one of the bikes, while enjoying the lively entertainment in the Crazy Pianos Bar, forming part of the stand. The owners of the winning keys will be presented with city breaks to The Hague or Amsterdam.
Mr. Eric Langen, Project Manager Travel Trade of the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions said:” We hope that by working with `Just a Drop` and World Travel Market, we can leave a lasting impression by bringing some Dutch characteristics and lifestyle to the event and raise money for a good cause.”
Teeing Off!
`Just a Drop` is holding an industry Golf Day on 15 September at the four-star De Vere Belton Woods Hotels and Country Club with BBC golf commentator Alex Hay as guest speaker. The 18-hole stableford competition on the championship lakes course will also include breakfast, buffet lunch, four-course dinner with wines and an auction in aid of `Just a Drop`.
Captains of Industry Lunch
UK television presenter Alastair Stewart will be conducting a charity auction at World Travel Market`s Captains of Industry Lunch on the opening day (Monday 8 November), sponsored by Jordan Tourism Board.
Two hundred senior management are expected to attend the invitation-only lunch, in aid of `Just a Drop`. Dr. Michael Frenzel, Chairman of TUI AG will be the guest speaker.
Organisers are seeking companies to donate unusual auction items.
Helping Bolivia
World Travel Market`s latest project in Bolivia, just completed, has helped to finance the installation of a new pipe, providing clean drinking water to 8,000 inhabitants of the town of Valle Grande.
The original piping from a spring 10k south east of the town, which was constructed 30 years ago, had been severely damaged by a bush fire and was no longer able to hold water. Children, adults and cattle were suffering in the long hot dry summer.
The initiative, overseen by Royal Engineer Officer, Col. Mike Reynolds of The Scientific Exploration Society, based at Valle Grande, has completely renewed the pipe.
`Just a Drop` contributed $10,000 (£5,405) towards the overall cost of the project.
The Greek National Tourism Organisation is World Travel Market`s major brand partner for 2004.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
