Country: United States

Organization: Adventure Life Journeys

Year the initiative began: 2006

Project Website: www.Adventure-Life.com

Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions:

• Main barrier addressed: Lack of collaboration
• Main insight addressed: Incorporate sustainable practices

What is the goal of your innovation?
To provide simple and reliable means for travelers to support Galapagos conservation, and keep funds focused on projects proven effective.

How does your approach support or embody geotourism?
Adventure Life is an active member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA). Together we have created an effective way for the travel industry to help support Galapagos conservation. The travel industry and those who visit the Galapagos must meet the challenge of preserving this world heritage. In Nov. 2006, together with IGTOA, we launched a Galapagos traveler-funding program. This program is designed to raise money for conservation and education projects implemented by IGTOA and the Galapagos Conservancy (GC), which supports the work of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). These are established and respected organizations that have been actively operating in the islands for years. But more importantly, they are effective organizations; we are determined that our fundraising program goes far beyond a “feel-good” or abstract contribution towards Galapagos conservations. Adventure Life’s fund-raising program is dedicated to providing substantial funds to the projects in operations through the Galapagos Conservancy and IGTOA. But furthermore, it is about actively involving and education our travelers on the challenges facing the Galapagos, and provide them with information on promising solutions. The goal is to shape tourism into a positive force.

Describe your approach in detial. How is it innovative?
The program is simple: A minimum $50 voluntary donation is added to all of our Galapagos travelers’ invoices. 40% of this donation goes to IGTOA, 60% goes to the Galapagos Conservancy. Dollar for dollar, Adventure Life matches these donations with travel vouchers for a future trip. Our role as a tour operator is essential for the success of this unique program. The relationships Adventure Life has established with our travelers assures them that the requested donation is of significant importance, and that we have carefully selected these organizations with confidence that they will put our travelers’ money to good work. Without the relationship between tour operator and traveler, it would be difficult for IGTOA and Galapagos Conservancy to effectively access the large numbers of Galapagos visitors. Furthermore, we also have access to them at a critical time: before their travels begin, when they are researching their destination and getting excited about their up-coming adventure. After they return from their trip, travelers – understandably – get caught up in their own world again, lost work and life; it is much harder to get their attention at this point. Even those with the best of intentions are easily lost in the “daily grind.”

What types of partnerships or professional developement would be most beneficial in spearding your innovation?
Fellow Galapagos tour operators looking to introduce sustainability projects in the islands would benefit from participating in this program. We’ve already attempted to spread this program to fellow IGTOA members. To help the ball rolling, we have candidly opened our operations to our competitors to show exactly how the program works and is managed at Adventure Life. Other NGO’s interested in generating consistent funds for existing projects would also benefit from a similar program design. With the success of this Galapagos fundraising, Adventure Life has already started looking at expanding this program to all the destinations we send our travelers.

In one sentence describe what kind of impact, change, or reform your approach is intended to achieve.
Involve travelers in the protection of the islands and make tourism an effective participant in preserving the fragile Galapagos.

Describe the degree of success of your approach to date. Clearly define how you measure quantitative and qualitative impact in terms of how your approach contributes to the sustainability or enhancement of local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics? How does your approach minimize negative impacts?
Out of IGTOA’s 50+ members, there are 7 companies (including Adventure Life) that are participating in this program. Adventure Life has proven the most successful in our fundraising efforts, spearheading this program and contributing far more than any other company. Since Nov. 2006, our travelers have raising nearly $30,000 to date. Including the donations from all seven IGTOA members, the program has so far raised roughly $50,000 for IGTOA and the Galapagos Conservancy’s projects – Adventure Life alone has raised almost 60% of this entire sum. We estimate our donation to gross $100,000 by 2010. Exciting numbers indeed! Projects this money supports includes and the Galapagos Conservancy’s 2006-07 agenda: 1. Local Capacity for Conservation and Sustainable Development 2. Planning and Policy for Effective Conservation 3. Control and Elimination of Invasive Species 4. Ensure Effective Management of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. And funds support IGTOA’s conservation and professional standards. We have seen time and time again that travelers want to give back to the places they visit, but many do know how, or which organization to donate to. This program is not only easy, it is also effective at raising significant funds – and keeps donations focused on projects and organizations proven effective.

How does your program promote traveler enthusiasm, satisfaction, and engagement with the locale?
To engage our travelers, our Galapagos clients are supplied with the following on island conservation: 1. Details on the challenges facing the islands (including the role of tourism), why their donations are important, and how travelers can be part of the solution 2. Galapagos Inspection and Quarantine regulations, regulated by SICGAL 3. Dos and Don’ts of responsible travel 4. DVD/mini-documentary on issues of Galapagos survival (currently in production). During their trip, travelers visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Travelers who donate also receive a one-year membership to Galapagos Conservancy, which encourages further interaction with the organization and its conservation efforts.

In what ways are local residents actively involved in your innovation, including participation and community input? How has the community responded to or benefited from your approach?
Conservation efforts are nearly impossible without local community involvement – and the Galapagos is certainly no exception. Our program is helping to fund the GC’s commitment to building local capacity for a sustainable future in the Galapagos. A few examples include supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses that are compatible with and linked to the long-term protection of the Galapagos. And education is just as important to travelers as it is to the local communities – the GC is particularly focused on education the younger generation to thrive in a conservation-based economy.

Describe how your innovation helps travelers and local residents better understand the value of the area's cultural and natural heritage, and educates them on local environmental issues. How do you motivate them to act responsibly in their future travel decisions?
Human migration is a growing concern in the islands. One of the GC’s projects that our travelers’ donations support includes changing the mindsets of local communities into a conservation-based culture by developing sustainable livelihoods, educational reform and strengthening local institutions. Our program is about much more than simply fundraising – it is our responsibility to education and demonstrate to our travelers how their visit can be instrumental for Galapagos conservation. And quite simply, their trip illustrates how they can easily participate in sustainable travel – without sacrificing hospitality or comfort.

Is your initiative financially and organizationally sustainable? If not, what is required to make it so? What is the potential demand for your innovation?
Adventure Life’s expenses are at a minimum as donations are made to IGTOA and GC from our travelers. We do match donations, dollar for dollar, with a travel voucher for a future trip with our company: thus far this amount comes to $29,300. We have happily discovered, that time involved managing the program does not exceed 50 hours per year. The Galapagos Travel-Funding program has been very effective for us and very simple, to not only implement, but also to maintain. As long as we continue to promote this program and the importance of Galapagos conservation, the future looks bright.

How is your initiative currently financed? If available, provide information on your finances and organization that could help others. Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff.
Our financial controller spends one day, ever quarter – mailing our clients who have contributed to the program – a travel voucher that matches their donation and a thank you letter. This is the same time that payment and contact information are sent to IGTOA and GC. This is the most time-consuming portion of the entire process, but only done four times per year, and is quite manageable. Specific finances for managing this program include: 1. Work hours: 10-12 hours per quarter 2. Personalized card + mailing expenses: >$1.00 3. Travel vouchers that match donation: roughly $50/traveler. Current total = $29,300. Expenses for designing and printing the promotional flyer are covered by IGTOA. Ideally, we would like to send the vouchers and thank-you cards to clients the day they depart for their trip, so it is waiting for them when they return home. But we are still working on this.

What is your plan to expand your approach? Please indicate where/how you would like to grow or enhance your innovation, or have others do so.
Adventure Life has already started looking at ways we can expand this program design to all of our trips, no longer limited it to Galapagos-specific travelers. There are a number of other sustainable organizations in varying Latin America countries we would love to see benefit from our fundraising efforts. And we encourage other IGTOA members to participate in the program and are always open to sharing advice or answering questions from our competitors on how we implemented, communicate with our travelers about the program, and how it is currently managed within our office.

What are the main barriers you encounter in managing, implementing, or replicating your innovation? What barriers keep your program from having greater impact?
The donation is voluntary – travelers are welcome to remove the minimum $50 donation from their invoice, or they are certainly welcome to donate more. The response has been quite positive: roughly 60% of our travelers decide to donate at least the minimum $50. But the challenge is how we can increase this number to 100%. Since the program began, we’ve heard one primary issue from our clients: Why would I donate before my trip? Shouldn’t I see for myself why the donation is important and then contribute after my travels? This is an issue we struggle with – but we are concerned that funds would decrease if we approached travelers after they return from their trip; it is much harder to get their attention at this point. Adventure Life primarily sees this issue as a limitation in our education approach. We are looking at ways we can even further invite our travelers to learn more about the program, its effectiveness and why it is so important. The other barrier we encounter is encouraging other IGTOA members and tour operators to implement this program, or one of their own choice that supports Galapagos conservation. The more the merrier!

What is the origin of your innovation? Tell your story.
IGTOA is a nonprofit association of travel companies, conservation organizations, and other groups that seek a lasting protection of the Galapagos Islands. They lobby for conservation, fund projects, and promote and practice sustainable tourism. Prior to 2006, Adventure Life, like all tour operators that are IGTOA members, were donating $5/per traveler they sent to the islands – but furthermore, a cap of $2500 was put on the contribution. This was limiting not only to the amount of donations generated directly from tourism, but it was also doing very little to maintain IGTOA and its most influential projects in the islands. IGTOA is roughly 20 years old, and prior to 2006, struggled with supporting its staff, important projects and ongoing goals. As a responsible tour operator, it is simply necessary that we protect the region that is so treasured – not only by our travelers – but also throughout varying communities across the world from biologists to historians. An annual $2500 donation was simply not enough to be effective. There had to be a better way to raise money for Galapagos conservation. In 2005, the IGTOA members took a new look at fundraising in the Galapagos. There is certainly no shortage of travelers; IGTOA members themselves send between 10,000-20,000 travelers to the islands a year. Inspired by elements of a program implemented by Lindblad Expeditions, IGTOA and its board members designed the Galapagos Travel-Funding program. Providing funds to the Galapagos Conservancy was an easy choice for the program. The Galapagos Conservancy/CDF has carried out research for conservation of the Galapagos ecosystem for almost 50 years. They have been a leader in conservation science and the practical application of information gained and lessons learned in Galapagos, and are one of the most respected non-profit research organizations currently in operation. Fundraising possibilities suddenly went from $2500 to ten times this amount! The program implementation of the new program was stalled in 2005, but was officially launched in Nov. 2006. There are seven other IGTOA tour operators that are currently participating in this program, but the majority continues to donate a flat rate of $5/per traveler. Part of the struggle is simply inertia. Starting a new project is never easy; there are concerns about management and overall goals and effectiveness. We continue to encourage others to participate in the program and are excited at what the future will bring.

Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers' marketing material.
My name is Brian Morgan; I began Adventure Life in Missoula, MT after returning from living and working in Ecuador and Peru. Using my experiences as an independent traveler – and lots of help for Ecuadorian and Peruvian friends – I ran my first trip in 1999. We’ve done our best to try and give back to the places and people that have inspired our company from the very start. Their success is our success. From the start, I introduced a number of self-imposed guidelines to ensure that each itinerary has a positive impact on the local culture and environment.

Please write an overview of your project. This text will appear when people scroll over the icon for your entry on the Google map located on teh competition homepage.
Adventure Life is an active member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, (IGTOA). Together we have created an effective way for the travel industry to help support Galapagos conservation. The travel industry and those who visit the Galapagos must meet the challenge of preserving this world heritage. In Nov. 2006, together with IGTOA, we launched a Galapagos traveler-funding program. The program is simple: A minimum $50 voluntary donation is added to all of Adventure Life’s Galapagos travelers’ invoices. 40% of this donation goes to IGTOA and 60% goes to the Charles Darwin Foundation. Dollar for dollar, Adventure Life matches these donations with travel vouchers for future trips with our company. Out of IGTOA’s 50+ members, there are seven tour operators that are participating in this specific program. Adventure Life has proven the most successful in its fundraising efforts, spearheading this program and contributing far more than any other company.

Contact Information
Mr. Brian Morgan
President
Adventure Life Journeys
1655 South 3rd St. W, Suite 1, Missoula, MT 59801
travelcenter@adventure-life.com