Hands Up Holidays' Blog

Ethical incentive trips for companies

handsupholidays — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:40:28 +0000

Ethical incentive trip

It’s not only good to make individual resolutions in the new year – corporations and organisations can make the decision to better themselves, too.
If you are involved in your company’s incentive programme, why not make 2012 the year you switch to more ethical practices?
Look into our corporate offerings and consider adding a touch of Community Development to your company incentives.
These incentive trips are brilliant for:
- team building
- employee engagement
- raising your company’s CSR reputation
A more rounded, more communicative and co-operative workforce?
That’s a resolution that any company would be wise to make!

Rainforest Alliance – our new partnership

handsupholidays — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:27:13 +0000

Rainforest Alliance voluntourism

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to have more enriching, sustainable and meaningful experiences, then we’d recommend our partner in responsible tourism, The Rainforest Alliance.
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
They believe that the best way to keep forests standing is by ensuring that it is profitable for businesses and communities to do so. That means helping farmers, forest managers and tourism businesses to realize greater economic benefits by ensuring ecosystems within and around their operations are protected, and that their workers are well-trained and enjoy safe conditions, proper sanitation, health care and housing. Once businesses meet certain environmental and social standards, Rainforest Alliance links them up to the global marketplace where demand for sustainable goods and services is on the rise.
Their website has a wealth of information about their vital work, and even has its own section on sustainable tourism. We fully support all their efforts – watch out for updates on Rainforest Alliance week later in the year.
In the meantime, we hope this spirit of environmentalism inspires you to think about the incredible experience that is voluntourism .
Check out our website and of course, feel free to ask us any questions!

Voluntourism and Happy Holidays

handsupholidays — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:19:34 +0000

Here’s to a happy and healthy end of 2011. We’re convinced that 2012 will be a great year for voluntourism . If your New Year’s resolution is to entertain some ethical travel plans – without sacrificing the luxury touches you might expect, then check out our Holiday Season Inspiration page. Stay safe, and have a wonderful holiday!

Voluntourism

Voluntourism in Europe

handsupholidays — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:30:20 +0000

Voluntourism in Slovakia

If the thought of travelling out to remote destinations or far-flung countries doesn’t really appeal to you, it’s always worth remembering that it’s also possible to get a taste of voluntourism within Europe. We currently run two fascinating European programmes, in the eastern states of Romania and Slovakia. Our Romanian programme involves you in renovation projects, helping elderly citizens, while the Slovakian trip helps with efforts to conserve endangered bears. Both are fascinating insights into the local cultures, full of history and with stunning scenery to explore. Find out more on the voluntourism website.

Voluntourism in Belize

handsupholidays — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:45:25 +0000

Voluntourism in Belize

Belize is one of our lesser-known destinations, a small monarchy in the north of Central America. Our Building Up Belize tour focuses on natural conservation and sustainable agriculture projects.

Interesting to note that the UN Foundation has just officially listed the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System as “World Heritage in Danger” due to unsustainable tourism activity.

The UN is rising to the challenges of conservation, and you, too can help make a difference to the very communities that this marine system supports.

Holiday season inspiration

handsupholidays — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:24:09 +0000

So who’s tired of all the Christmas music and relentless advertising?
And we’re only a short time into December!
But don’t get too downhearted. The holiday season can be an inspirational time, especially when it comes to planning your voluntourism adventure with us.
Take a virtual wander over to our website, where we’ve rounded up the best of the

Brazil voluntourism for families

holiday season trip ideas!

Ethical incentive trips and Employee Engagement

handsupholidays — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:07:27 +0000

TV shows such as The Office have brought home to us just how big a part of our lives our co-workers can become.

If you work in a any kind of office, just think how much time you spend interacting with your colleagues. It probably ranks up there with how much time you spend with your families.

Ethical incentive trip

What could be more important, then, than a harmonious, well balanced and cohesive workforce?

Here at Hands Up Incentives, we’re trying to improve the world ‘one company at a time’.

If your workplace offers incentives, maybe you could point your events or MICE team towards a more ethical choice?

Our trips are rewarding, memorable and an incredibly great bonding experience!

For more inspiration, and a great case study, check out our Corporate incentives case studies page: http://www.incentive-trip.com/resources/case-studies

Voluntourism for all comers

handsupholidays — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:07:26 +0000

There are, as they say, different strokes for different folks. Some people like to travel to get back to basics, to shrug off the trappings of a relatively privileged lifestyle and experience something closer to nature. It’s equally valid to expect a luxury hotel and all the escapism it offers. Similarly, some people like stepping up their activity levels – working hard and hiking around – while some people are happier with a more sedate, gentle time of it. Luckily, Hands Up Holidays have an easy-to-use chart that tells you the comfort and activity levels you can expect on each trip. Just another way to help you to choose the one that’s right for you.

Family voluntourism

handsupholidays — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:54:25 +0000

Morocco Voluntourism for Families

With the new school year fully underway now, you’re hopefully seeing your kids enjoying learning and getting excited by new things. While class studies are important, there’s nothing that broadens a child’s mind more than experience. That’s why we’re such big fans of family-based voluntourism . Imagine taking your children to a completely new environment, one that was safe, exciting and full of challenges and learning experiences. On one hand, young minds can apply themselves to a truly rewarding and memorable project – one to really tell their friends and teachers about when they get back. On the other hand, you can enjoy your escape in luxury surroundings, with all the amenities and comforts you’d expect at home. Take a look at our range of family trips and talk to your kids about what kind of things they might like to see and do. You’ll be feeding their imaginations for years to come.

Ahead of World Responsible Tourism Day…

handsupholidays — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:40:31 +0000

As World Responsible Tourism Day takes place on November 9th, what better time to take stock and examine how tourism is affecting our planet?
If you’re looking for inspiration, you could do worse than track down a new book by Leo Hickman, The Final Call: Investigating Who Really Pays For Our Holidays.
See the tourism problems – from coral bleaching to human rights abuses – that Hickman encounters in his analysis. If you’re interested in travelling with a more positive impact on local communities and the environment

Voluntourism in Vietnam

, then click through for inspiration on voluntourism .