Celebrating the nearly 15,000 Tanzanian porters who aid trekkers each year.
NEW YORK – Following the success of last year's inaugural campaign, Thomson Safaris is celebrating Porter Appreciation Week this year, February 4-11, 2019, in honor of the nearly 15,000 Tanzanian porters who aid trekkers on their quest to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Thomson Safaris works with more than 750 porters, and it takes a crew of nearly half a dozen porters to accompany each individual person climbing the mountain. The work and dedication of Thomson Safaris' trekkers has led to a 98% summit rate, as well as countless friendships between climbers and trekkers. On Thomson Safaris' Porter Appreciation Week site, porters share their individual stories and obstacles, along with thank you notes from trekkers who are forever grateful for their support.
"As a responsible tour operator, we want to make sure porters are truly appreciated for all of the work they do," says Thomson Safaris co-founder Judi Wineland. "It is our duty to ensure that all porters are treated fairly, receive steady work and have safe working conditions."
As part of the weeklong campaign, Thomson Safaris will offer free rental gear (up to a $400 value) and a $100 donation to the Kilimanjaro Porter's Assistance Project – a non-profit dedicated to improving the working conditions of porters and promoting socially responsible Kilimanjaro climbs – for each trek booked within the week.
The Kilimanjaro tourism industry provides jobs and stable income to thousands, with many Tanzanians moving to the Kilimanjaro region to work as porters. The industry is also partially credited by the World Bank for the area's 100 percent school enrollment rate and 85 percent adult literacy rate.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
