Everyone deserves the chance to travel. Yet, all too often, seeing the world is a privilege reserved for the global elite. At Elevate Destinations, we’re on a mission to democratize tourism. We aim to connect local youths to their own environments as travelers and stewards.
Through our innovative Buy a Trip, Give a Trip model, your trip purchase creates travel opportunities for local kids. For the first time, they experience nearby natural and cultural wonders, see the sights, have fun, and make the kind of travel memories we often take for granted.
Since our beginnings, giving back has been a core aspect of our brand, driving us to positively impact the communities and environments of the destinations we visit.
Here’s just one example of Buy a Trip, Give a Trip in action:
The Travelers:
On October 5th, 2024, a group of 14 children from the Seeds of Hope Foundation, along with 4 staff members and a guide, set off on an excursion to Chiang Mai, Thailand. The children, aged 7 to 12, come from the Phrao district, a rural area approximately two hours north of Chiang Mai. With hill-tribe backgrounds, this trip was a rare opportunity for these youth to visit the city and create meaningful connections with urban communities.
The Details:
The day began bright and early with an 8 am pickup from the Seeds of Hope Foundation. The bus was buzzing with excitement as the students looked forward to the day’s adventures. Their first stop was the Baan Muang Kung Pottery Center, where they received a warm welcome from the village chief. Over the next two hours, they learned about the village’s pottery traditions, toured the pottery house and workshop, and got their hands dirty to create unique pieces to take home.
After lunch at a local restaurant, the group made their way to the Bo Sang Umbrella Making Center to see the intricate process of umbrella making, watch skilled artisans at work, and paint their own umbrellas.
The day’s activities wrapped up with well-deserved ice cream before returning to the bus for the journey back to the Phrao district.
Upon returning to the Seeds of Hope dormitory, the students excitedly shared stories of their adventure with their dorm staff, already asking when they could go on another outing. One of the children shared, “It was really nice to visit Chiang Mai City since we live far away and don’t often get the chance to come here.” Another voiced their enthusiasm for future excursions, saying, “I want to come back and do more activities in Chiang Mai again.”
The Impact:
For many of the children, this outing was their first visit to a pottery and umbrella-making center. They were excited to experience these handicrafts firsthand, as both skills are deeply rooted in Thai culture. The activities helped the children develop patience, and the location provided an opportunity for them to practice their language skills.
The excursion fostered meaningful connections between the children and local communities. The village chief of Baan Muang Kung personally guided the children during the pottery-making workshop, and the villagers expressed their delight at seeing the children at the umbrella-making center, knowing they had traveled a great distance for this experience.
This Buy A Trip, Give A Trip outing demonstrates how travel can inspire, educate, and positively impact local youth. By introducing these children to new experiences and destinations, their horizons were broadened, and their curiosity was ignited about the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
Partner Organization:
The Seeds of Hope Foundation, based in Thailand, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children and families. The Seed of Hope project provides a dormitory that currently houses 33 hill-tribe students from villages in Northern Thailand. The purpose of the dormitory is to offer a safe environment for these students as they attend Thai public and private schools. Additionally, the project aims to teach sustainable life skills and assist students in applying for citizenship if it still needs to be acquired.
Read about other Buy A Trip, Give A Trip experiences.
