It was a year ago that I first wrote here about the launch of Kind Traveler. For those of you not familiar with the hotel booking platform, the way it works is simple: travelers give a $10 nightly donation to a local charity that positively impacts the neighborhood they are traveling to, or to a charity of choice; as reward for their donation, travelers unlock an exclusive hotel rate and special perks with curated hotels and unique properties throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica. According to Jessica Blotter, CEO & Co-Founder of Kind Traveler, 90 percent of the time the rate is at least as competitive or more competitive than the hotel’s own website. Perks given by hotels range from resort fee waivers to wine at check-in to restaurant or spa discounts. All of the donations raised on the Kind Traveler platform are given to charity. The actual booking takes place on the hotel’s own website.
When launching a year ago, it was Blotter’s goal to double the number of hotels and destinations in the first year. Instead, that number tripled. “We have seen consistent growth month after month,” she says. Now, there are 57 hotels, 49 charities, and 24 destinations that have teamed up with Kind Traveler. I strongly encourage your participation. If you are not currently working with a charity, Kind Traveler can help match you with one.
Kind Traveler does have some work to do to expand its geographical base. There are many states without representation. “We definitely want to have the primary and secondary markets in the U.S. covered before we expand internationally,” Blotter says. “Our target is U.S. travel. We do receive requests for different destinations.” Cities coming soon include Seattle, Portland (Ore.), Phoenix, San Diego, Denver, Orlando and Boston.
Blotter says she is anticipating rapid growth in the coming year. “We are in the process of seeking investors,” she says.
More Than $7,000 Raised in First Year
Year one saw $7,300 raised for charities. “In New York, we fed 500 New Yorkers through City Harvest,” Blotter says. “We planted 100 trees with the Arbor Day Foundation.” Almost 4,000 pieces of literature about breast cancer were distributed. Seventy-seven days of care were provided for animals rescued from illegal circuses.
Kind Traveler has eight people on staff, not all of whom are full time. The organization has a publicist and was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times. Its weekly newsletter reaches 200,000 subscribers and it has 76,000 social media followers.
“Hotels are very proud of the partnership,” Blotter says. “We suggest that hotels celebrate the partnership on their website.”
Kind Traveler’s goals are purposefully aligned with the United Nations’ Global Goals for sustainable development that includes preventing poverty and hunger, protecting the planet, and promoting wellbeing for individuals and animals.
Kind Traveler’s timing could not be better. According to the 2017 Cone Communications CSR Study, 89 percent of consumers will switch to a brand that supports a good cause over one that does not, given similar price and quality.
Sustainability Seminar Finalized for HX: The Hotel Experience
The sustainability seminar, “2020 Vision—Lodging’s Leaders Set the Sustainability Bar Higher,” has been finalized for HX: The Hotel Experience. The event will take place on Monday, November 13 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Hotel stage at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Don’t miss this seminar including Denise Naguib, Vice President, Sustainability & Supplier Diversity, Marriott International, Inc., Gardner Jackson, Assistant Vice President, the Nalco Water division of Ecolab USA Inc., and Lindsay Wilkinson, part of InterContinental Hotels Group’s Corporate Responsibility team focused on Environmental Sustainability. I will be moderating the session. Attendee registration for HX: The Hotel Experience, November 12 to 13, 2017, is now open at the newly redesigned website, www.thehotelexperience.com.
How to Search on Our Website
Similar to other search engines you find online, a search using one word will produce articles with that word included. If you would like to search for something that is more than one word long—ozone laundry, for example—you will need to put quotation marks around the words or phrase. Ozone laundry would then be “ozone laundry” in the search.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2017?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2017. Many excellent spots are available on our new website, in the weekly e-mail newsletter, and Green Lodging Survey. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2017 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 9,113. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail editor@greenlodgingnews.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,758 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 865 Facebook likes.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
