Sanctuary Retreats’ Philanthropy – making a difference

Tourism is the world's largest industry, growing larger every year. Hand in hand with this has come an unprecedented level of interest in responsible travel and a rise in philanthropic programs and 'volun-tourism', with travellers increasingly seeking to give back to the communities they visit. This has, in turn, placed pressure on tourism suppliers to improve their social and environmental responsibility.

Boutique luxury travel operator Sanctuary Retreats is a company that has been committed to conservation and responsible tourism ever since opening its first camp in the Masai Mara in 1999. Says Michael McCall, Director of Sales Australia, NZ & Asia the company has always strived to build long lasting relationships with rural communities in the areas in which it operates, making a point of identifying and supporting long-term, viable and self-sustaining projects. "Our aim is to ensure that all projects are supported by our staff and guests and we work closely with communities to identify their needs so we can deliver projects that really have an impact."

Here are some of Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy's success stories.

Ilboro School, Tanzania

Children in Tanzania with hearing impairments or mental or physical impairments are often left with limited opportunities to receive a formal education. A decade ago, in response Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy (SRP) funded the construction of the first special needs primary school in Arusha, especially designed to meet the needs of deaf and disabled children. Unfortunately, once pupils graduated from the primary school, they were returned to regular mainstream education where teachers are not trained or equipped to deal with their unique learning needs, resulting in a high drop-out rate.

Recognizing the issue, SRP decided to further support these children by building a secondary school at Ilboru in partnership with Tanzania's Ministry of Education. The Ministry provides specially trained teachers to work at the two-story, five-classroom facility. In addition to standard academic courses, the school also teaches vocational skills such as sewing, which has significantly increased the chances of students securing employment upon graduating.

In 2016, in partnership with Worldreader, SRP also commenced an innovative literacy program at Ilboru's Primary School with the use of digital e-readers, which has given children access to a large library of textbooks and literature in both English and their local language of Swahili.

Approximately five kilometres from Sanctuary Retreats' Sussi & Chuma Lodge, the Nakatindi Village sits against the border fence of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma has partnered with Nakatindi village on many projects, including education, conservation and the launch of a Bike Shop run by local women.

But one of its most successful programs has involved the rebuilding of a much-needed medical clinic within the Nakatindi Community. The clinic, which serves 50 people a day, has taken an active role in the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, which is highly prevalent within community. More recently, SRP has helped build and equip an addition to the clinic to serve as a maternity ward. The new facility has significantly improved labor and delivery conditions for both mothers and infants, and helped to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child.

Bwindi Community Hospital, Uganda

Starting as nothing more than a clinic operating under a mango tree, Sanctuary Retreats has helped transform Bwindi Community Hospital into a 112-bed facility that is consistently ranked the best hospital in Uganda. Recognising that a national shortage of nurses was having a negative impact on the hospital, the Uganda Nursing School Bwindi was opened in 2013 and celebrated its first graduation this year.

Through donations, SRP has been able to provide scholarships to promising local students who might not otherwise be able to afford the course. In addition to this, the success of the first graduating class has led to Bwindi Community Hospital becoming a government-funded hospital, meaning all doctor and nursing salaries are now paid by the Ugandan government.

Rhino Relocation, Botswana

Concerned by increased poaching of critically endangered rhino in South Africa, several years SRP into a partnership with Rhino Conservation Botswana, among others, to translocate black and white rhino from South Africa to Botswana. This project has been hugely successful, with the company now employing two full time conservation officers to monitor rhino in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Indeed, one of the most exciting successes has been the birth of lots of new baby rhino following the reintroduction of their mothers to Botswana, with two progeny now ready to leave their mothers and set up their own territories.

Sin Kyun Village, Myanmar

Having partnered with Sin Kyun village following the launch of Sanctuary Ananda in Myanmar in 2014, SRP has worked closely with the village chief to identify areas where it can assist the community, with specific focus on improving the village school.

So far SRP has built accommodation for teachers, provided emergency assistance during severe flooding and in May 2017, completed the construction of a middle school at Sin Kyun. This means that children can now stay at Sin Kyun for school until they finish seventh grade. Previously the school only went up to fourth grade, following which students would have to cross the river to reach a neighbouring middle school – an often perilous journey during rainy season!

Are Millennials the key to influencing greater corporate social responsibility?

The Millennial 20/20 Australia Summit kicking off tomorrow in Sydney will see business leaders from TOMS and Nespresso discuss how the growing economic power of Millennials could have positive ethical ramifications that transcend consumer sectors from FMCG to fashion.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not a new phenomenon, approximately 76% of Millennials agree that businesses are having a positive impact on society and harness the power to incite real change, says a recent Deloitte Millennial Survey. Yet, 41% believe multinational businesses are still not realising their potential to alleviate some of society's biggest challenges.

At the summit, John Elliott, Managing Director, TOMS Australia and NZ, will discuss how Millennials are driving socially responsible business models, changing the traditional marketing model, and championing ethical investment into the economy.

"The Millennial consumer not only needs a great product, but is interested in what positive social outcomes business can provide," explains Mr Elliott.

TOMS began in footwear in 2006 with a One for One initiative, matching every pair of shoes sold with a pair of shoes for a person in need. As the organisation expanded globally, TOMS now assist with aid for providing vital amenities including eye care, safe drinking water, safe childbirth facilities and anti-bullying services.

"We are actively engaged in making sure we use our business to provide positive outcomes and we let the consumer know that without their participation we cannot achieve our mutual desire to make the world a better place," added Mr Elliott.

TOMS has collaborated with partners to begin movements such as One Day Without Shoes and World Sight Day – annual events to raise awareness for the global issues of poverty and avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

With the sheer amount of information available online, brands are now subject to more scrutiny than ever before. Transparency in marketing is key to gaining trust with these discerning younger audiences, and proving an ethical supply and production chain are vital to building brand loyalty.

Michael Brunt, CMO at The Economist, a partner of Millennial 20/20, recognises the media company has advocated for positive change through its editorial since its founding in 1843, but admits modern marketing needs to be meaningful and personalised to find traction, with the key to success being transparency of practices and intentions.

"We are excited to continue our recent activation campaign at Millennial 20/20 where we will be serving smoothies made from 'ugly' fruit and vegetables which would have been otherwise thrown out. With food wastage a topical ethical conundrum, especially in Australia, it provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate our business values to the millennial market.

"It's about creating a two-way conversation that allows consumers to engage with our brand directly, making it memorable. Our audience, by nature, are curious, and so they think 'what on earth is going on here?' Ultimately leading to more meaningful connections to the product and brand," concluded Mr Brunt.

In addition, Loïc Réthoré, Head of Oceania, Nespresso, will present at Millennial 20/20 on how increased interest from consumers on ethically sourced and organically made produce is re-shaping the Food and Beverage industry.

Following successful summits in London, New York and Singapore, Australia's inaugural Millennial 20/20 Summit will take place in Sydney, 14-15 November 2017 at Carriageworks. The summit will delve into how the millennial mindset, including ethical expectations, is reshaping the future of commerce for consumer brands and retailers.

Register: millennial20-20.com/sydney2017
Summit Program: millennial20-20.com/sydney2017/agenda

 

Cairns Airport CEO joins TTNQ Board

North Queensland Airports Chief Executive Officer Norris Carter has been appointed a Director of the Tourism Tropical North Queensland Board at its meeting today in Cairns.

New General Directors Sam Ferguson and Craig Pocock were welcomed to the Board after their election at the Annual General Meeting on Friday (October 20).

Chair Max Shepherd stepped down at the end of his three-year term and the  Board confirmed the appointment of Director Wendy Morris as Chair. Cairns South Zone representative Ross Steele was re-elected Deputy Chair.

Ms Morris said Mr Carter's appointment would add a vital skillset to the Board through his extensive airline and airport industry experience with Qantas, Auckland Airport, Cairns and Mackay Airports.

"Aviation is the funnel for visitation to Tropical North Queensland and a key plank for economic success for the region," she said.

"If the TTNQ Board can understand the drivers and nuances of aviation, we can better align our destination marketing to ensure sustainable air routes."

Mr Carter said: "I'm looking forward to contributing to TTNQ as a Director to grow tourism into Tropical North Queensland."

Ms Morris thanked Mr Shepherd for his service to TTNQ which he had chosen to end during his 50th year of working in the tourism industry.

"Max has been a stalwart and mentor for many in tourism, myself included, with a canny ability to think business decisions through," she said.

"His steady hand on the wheel at world-class operations including Quicksilver and Skyrail has complemented brilliant marketing coups including President Bill Clinton's trip to the Great Barrier Reef and the Olympic torch's first swim underwater at Agincourt Reef.

"A humble man with a wry sense of humour, Max will be missed by every one of us, but we hope he continues to visit and make sure we're 'doing it right'."

A Tropical North Queensland resident of 1974 with a degree in marine biology, Ms Morris has previously served on the TTNQ Board as well as the Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, Tourism and Events Queensland and Advance Cairns boards.

She founded Reef Biosearch in 1986, a marine biologist-guided snorkelling operation aboard Quicksilver that continues to operate today, and remains a passionate advocate for the Great Barrier Reef who is on the Board of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef.

Ms Morris been involved in the management and marketing of a range of mostly family owned tourism enterprises in the region including the resorts now known as Rydges Reef Resort, QT Port Douglas, Ramada Port Douglas and Crystalbrook Lodge, as well as The Wildlife Habitat, Wetherby Outback Experience, Lady Douglas Paddlewheeler and luxury charter yachts.

Also serving on the TTNQ Board are Tropical Tablelands/Remote Zone Director Ghislaine Gallo, General Director Russell Boswell, Cairns North Zone representative Sheena Walshaw, General Director Todd Parker, General Director Peter Woodward and Southern Zone Director Mark Evans.

TRC and Swoogo unite to create ShowSimple - DIY badge printing in a box

In continuous pursuit of the most seamless and satisfying experiences for event planners, TRC and Swoogo - best-in-craft service providers to the events industry for more than 15 years - have launched 'ShowSimple'.  It's DIY badge printing in a box.

TRC, already trusted to deliver stellar onsite event support for brands including Walmart, Ford, Shell and L'Oreal, spotted a gap in the market for great value badging services for smaller size events. Greg Lazzaro, Founder and President of TRC said, "We recognize that every event is different, and sometimes smaller is better!  ShowSimple delivers all the great TRC magic, in a box to your door".

The real magic though, comes from the integration with Swoogo - the next-generation event registration company making waves in the industry with their mobile responsive, fully flexible platform loved by the likes of Inc., Fast Company and Schneider Group.  Customers of Swoogo need only enter a few details about the badges they want, within the Swoogo portal, and order directly for delivery onsite.

It's a partnership through and through, says Swoogo founder and CEO, Leonora Valvo, "Our customers asked for it, and TRC delivered it.  Our teams worked in concert to design the product and I'm delighted with the results".

ShowSimple includes two barcode scanning stations, a full color printer, the customer's choice of badges, lanyards and even self-contained router with internet access.  It's simple, but it's not hands-off - ShowSimple customers work with a specialist 'virtual badge advisor' and product manager to be confident of a quality experience.

TRC and Swoogo (along with their fellow best-in-craft event partners in The Event Tech Tribe) will be at IMEX Las Vegas 10-12th October to launch ShowSimple (booth G659) and are hosting their user conference/innovation forum "Unite" (open to non-Tribe customers) in San Francisco on 16th October.  

White Christmas in Estonia

Destination: Tallinn, Estonia

Why go: What better time to visit the home of the first Christmas tree? The medieval Old Town also takes on a magical quality with snow-covered rooftops.

What awaits: Mulled wine, traditional Estonian food, knitwear and Christmas trees galore at the famous Christmas Market in the Old Town Square. Skaters whizzing around the Old Town's outdoor ice rink as candles fill cobblestone lanes with their flickering glow. Try a genuine Estonian Christmas dinner of jellied meat, beetroot salad, herring, roast potatoes and pork, washed down with dark porter beer. Spend an active day at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, which offers snowtubing, iceskating and mountain skiing close to the city centre.

Getting there: It is a two-stop trip to Estonia from all major Australian cities.

Rachel's top tip: "Make a wish under the huge Christmas tree in Old Town Square. Spruce growers throughout Estonia compete each year to have their tree chosen as the Christmas tree of Tallinn."

 

Go stay in your own private treehouse

TULUM TREEHOUSE — Tulum, Mexico

Nestled among a swaying sea of lush emerald palms, Tulum Treehouse is a full-service private home located a stone's throw from the heart of Tulum—yet it is a fortuitous jungle setting near the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve that sets this experience apart. Here, a sublime private house can be rented with only the three bedrooms, or as a five-bedroom accommodation. Created by local craftspeople in collaboration with an international design crew, the team collectively put sustainability above all. 

The Tulum-based, full-service architecture studio Co-Lab Design Office and interior designer and stylist Annabell Kutucu have taken the natural beauty of the Yucatán as primary inspiration, conscious not only to preserve and protect the biodynamically rich environment, but to also create a stay deeply connected to the natural world. Large common areas, several spacious wrap-around terraces, multiple spaces for indoor-outdoor living, and five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms make up this exclusive, full-service jungle escape.

Excitement builds as Winx prepares to make Flemington debut on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day

With the AFL Grand Final signalling a close to the football season, sporting fans will now turn their focus trackside for Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington, where the World's Best Horse on Turf in Winx will make her debut at Australia's premier racetrack.

This Saturday, 7 October 2017, will see Winx shoot for her 21st consecutive victory in the $500,000 Group 1 Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m), where Melburnians will get the opportunity to witness arguably the best horse since Black Caviar to race at Flemington.

Winx, who is stabled at trainer Chris Waller's Flemington facility while in Melbourne, will continue her build up towards the Seppelt Turnbull Stakes with her final gallop on Thursday. Media will be able to capture vision of the super mare on the Flemington course proper at 6.30am on Thursday 5 October before hearing from trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman at 7.00am.

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is preparing additional facilities at Flemington for all racegoers to enjoy Winx on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, with the course being bolstered by additional screens, food and beverage outlets and Winx merchandise to ensure all racegoers can be in the moment with Winx.

All profits from merchandise will go to the National Jockeys Trust, as well as proceeds from the auction of signed saddlecloths from the Seppelt Turnbull Stakes, including Winx's saddlecloth.

Members can get up close and personal with the wonder mare from the Members' Lawn, or watch the action from a range of venues including The Forum, The Atrium and The Peak. General Admission areas will also be expanded, with the James Boag's Premium Celebration Deck featuring entertainment from the Emerson Duo and the James Boag's Premium Lawn Bar presenting the perfect space for racegoers to relax and revel in the action with a drink and live music by The Mad Hatters.

Children and their families can get into the spirit of Winx with Winx-themed hobby horse racing, silks and face painting. Other exciting free activities in the Kids' Zone include yard games such as giant chess, croquet, jenga, lawn bowls, bocce, mini-golf and pony rides.

General admission precinct Saintly Place will hold extra significance on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, as it will be the first time the public can view the entire trophy collection bequeathed to the VRC by Cups King Bart Cummings.

The Bart Cummings Trophy Collection will be unveiled to media and special guests at 11am on Thursday 5 October, with 149 trophies to be on public display from Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day onwards. Anthony Cummings, James Cummings and Les Carlyon AC will be among those to speak at the event as they recall their memories of the Cups King and reflect on the importance of the collection in Australian sporting history

Gates open at 11:20am on Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, with the first of nine races set to jump at 12:50pm. Other notable races include The Bart Cummings (2500m), a Group 3 event which offers the winner a ticket into the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Metro trains will run special services to and from Flemington for Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day, with trains departing Southern Cross Station between 10:59am and 1:39pm and return services departing Flemington between 4:55pm and 7:20pm.

Tickets to Seppelt Turnbull Stakes Day are available from Ticketek. Children under 16 are FREE when accompanied by an adult.

For more information head to Flemington.com.au.

@FlemingtonVRC   #TurnbullStakes   #GoWinx