DLERAY BEACH, FL, Nov. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To celebrate the successful conclusion of Lion World Travel's
#ShareIfYouCare social media campaign, the company
will donate $10,000 to the Endangered Wildlife
Trust in support of their rhino conservation
efforts. This donation is being made through The
TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organization operated
by The Travel Corporation and its family
of travel brands, including Lion World Travel.
The yearlong #ShareIfYouCare social media campaign
was designed to raise awareness about the drastic increase
in rhino poaching in South Africa over the past
decade.
"We received an overwhelming response from our community on social
media," said Lucille Sive, president of Lion World
Travel. "I believe that the travel and tourism industry
has an obligation to support local wildlife conservation efforts.
Our guests experience the natural beauty of Africa first-hand and
we're committed to doing our part to ensure that its beauty is here
to stay for generations to come."
The Endangered Wildlife Trust
is one of the multiple projects supported by The TreadRight Wildlife
Initiative, launched earlier this year and focusing its support
on the fight against wildlife crime.
South Africa's rhino population faces an unprecedented and
increasing threat from poachers. While a decade ago approximately
25 rhinos were killed as a result of poaching in South Africa, that
number has grown exponentially and last year more than 1,000 rhinos
were killed.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust's Rhino Conservation Project
implements interventions at several stages in the poaching
and wildlife trade chain. The contributions of Lion World
Travel and The TreadRight Foundation aid the Endangered Wildlife
Trust in its care for orphaned baby rhinos, poaching and smuggling
deterrent efforts, as well as delivering rhino conservation
resource materials and support for landowners and reserve
managers.
About Lion World Travel
Lion World Travel is the leading tour
operator from North America specializing in group and individual
tours to Southern and East Africa, and is a member of the renowned
Travel Corporation, which also includes: Trafalgar Tours, Contiki,
Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, The Red Carnation Hotel
Collection and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. In its
50th year, clients continue to benefit from Lion World Travels'
destination knowledge, expertise, and emphasis on customer service.
With their safari specialists all having first-hand knowledge of
Africa, Lion World Travel can confidently assist clients in
creating an African adventure that fits their specific interests as
well as their budget. Extraordinary service, affordable luxury and
value for money are what keep clients coming back to Lion World
Travel.
Winner of the South African Tourism
Ubuntu Awards "Top
Producing Tour Operator for North America" for 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
Winner of "Certificate of Excellence for TripAdvisor"
for 2014
Winner of the South African Airways "Award of
Excellence in Travel and Tourism for
North America" for 2012
About The TreadRight Foundation
At Lion World Travel and parent company The Travel Corporation, we understand that travel matters; it allows us to explore the world and gain a deeper understanding of each destination, its history and culture, through enriching experiences. We also recognize that it is our responsibility to help protect the places we visit and take care of the world around us.
Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and preserved for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than USD 2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. Lion World Travel is proud to be an active founder and supporter of TreadRight's projects and work. Go to www.lionworldtravel.com/about-us/social-responsibility to learn more.
TreadRight's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. We encourage each of our partners to use this principle to guide all of their actions, whether at our regional offices or when taking guests around the world. By providing grants to organizations that encourage sustainability in different destinations, we hope to maintain the natural attractions across the world that defines each unique region. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at TreadRight.org.