Last year's Planeterra Trek Challenge saw hundreds of industry professionals and travel lovers virtually climb the distance to the iconic Everest Base Camp trek - while raising over $100,000. Building on that success, Planeterra is launching the 2nd annual virtual Trek Challenge.
This year’s annual virtual fundraising event switches it up by summiting Mt Kilimanjaro.
G Adventures’ founder and Planeterra Chairman, Bruce Poon Tip, is calling upon travellers and the industry to support community tourism’s recovery especially in destinations with the least assistance to get back into the travel business.
Poon Tip has put together a team and recorded a video encouraging travel lovers, and those across the travel industry, to join this year’s virtual “Kili Climb.”
“Last year, the Planeterra Trek Challenge created connections across the travel industry and amongst those who value a different kind of travel - one that puts communities at its heart,” said Poon Tip. “We want to highlight this incredible region, where travellers are currently safely visiting, while raising some much-needed funds to get community tourism back on track around the world.”
This year’s trek will take place virtually summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, from 23 - 27SEP, culminating on World Tourism Day.
Planeterra will use the trek to highlight its community tourism partners across East Africa, all while challenging participants to walk approximately 52,500 steps (that’s 40km or 25 miles).
The NGO points out that “tourism is recovering but the recovery is far from equal. Some communities have been able to receive travellers safely, but others have not.”
Funds raised during this year’s trek challenge will assist Planeterra in mentoring and providing training for community tourism enterprises so they are ready to receive travellers again and feel confident with new protocols.
“The entire team has been working alongside our partners in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and others to curate a series of unique stories, videos, and information highlighting what it’s like to travel to the region,” says Evie Nhdlovu, Planeterra’s Program Manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “We’re excited to showcase this area of the continent to participants, and hopefully encourage them to plan their visit.”
Throughout the month of SEP, Planeterra will be posting videos, blogs, and info, while hosting live events, highlighting the organization’s work in the region, as well as tips for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and travelling to East Africa.
To join the Planeterra Trek Challenge please visit: https://www.classy.org/event/the-planeterra-trek-challenge/e350298
