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Visit Oceanside is thrilled to pioneer the Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back initiative in San Diego County, a leading move supported by a statewide collaboration with Visit California. This program ensures that a share of revenue from each guest stay at participating hotels supports local non-profits like WILDCOAST and the Berry Good Food Foundation, which focus on ocean conservation and promoting sustainable food systems throughout Oceanside and the broader San Diego area. This aligns with Visit Oceanside’s recent debut of the Love O’side responsible travel initiative, designed to encourage visitors to choose Oceanside for their vacations with an environmental, social, and cultural awareness.
Launched in September 2023, the Every Stay Gives Back initiative has successfully garnered over $200,000 in donations for local charities across its network within just 11 months.
The Growing Demand for Impactful Travel
Amid increasing climate change challenges, such as wildfires and the rise of sea levels, along with heightened social justice awareness, travelers are increasingly looking for ways to ensure their travel expenditures benefit the local communities they explore. Findings from Kind Traveler’s 2022 Impact Tourism Report highlight that 97 percent of travelers aim for their spending to have a positive effect on local communities, with 75 percent noting that sustainable travel improves their overall trip experience. However, despite strong intentions, 50 percent of travelers express uncertainty about how to engage in impactful travel, highlighting a significant discrepancy between their aspirations and practical implementation.
“The Every Stay Gives Back program is a natural progression in our commitment to stewardship and sustainability, aiming to enhance the positive impact of travel on our community,” said Visit Oceanside CEO Leslee Gaul. “Research shows that visitors want to support the communities they visit, and this program offers an easy and effortless way to do so while enjoying an unforgettable stay along the beautiful Oceanside coast.”
Beneficiaries of Local Charity Initiatives
The Every Stay Gives Back program by Kind Traveler in Oceanside is making significant strides through its support of WILDCOAST and the Berry Good Food Foundation, both pivotal to the area’s sustainability efforts. WILDCOAST operates globally to preserve coastal and marine ecosystems and mitigates climate change with nature-based solutions. A dedicated portion of their funds supports the Coastal Dunes Restoration Project in Oceanside, which aims to rejuvenate coastal dune habitats with innovative green engineering to preserve sandy shores. The Berry Good Food Foundation focuses on advancing sustainable agriculture, broadening access to nutritious foods, and bolstering local farmers and producers, contributing to the preservation of Oceanside’s natural charm and promoting enduring sustainability.
Innovative Lodging Partners for Sustainable Tourism
Marbella, Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals, and Stay Coastal Vacations are trailblazers in the Every Stay Gives Back program alongside Visit Oceanside, all committed to fostering responsible tourism. This collaboration represents a first for Kind Traveler in partnering with vacation rental firms, extending their reach beyond conventional hotels. Marbella is known for its luxurious, eco-conscious accommodations; Beachfront Only offers premium beachfront lodgings with sustainable attributes; and Stay Coastal Vacations provides trendy, eco-focused vacation experiences. Estimates suggest that Oceanside’s Kind Traveler initiative could generate upwards of $17,000 annually for local charitable efforts, with ongoing efforts to involve more lodging entities to amplify the impact across the region.
Developing Tangible Impact Metrics
The initiative directs a portion of travel spending to local charities for each stay, in line with the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Kind Traveler ensures transparency by monitoring and reporting monthly contributions to these charities, thus keeping guests and partners well-informed of their impact.
For instance, Marbella and Stay Coastal Vacations contribute one dollar per night to WILDCOAST, which utilizes every $10 to restore habitat for a local wildlife species, enhancing conservation in Oceanside. Key species benefiting from these efforts include pelicans, cormorants, and shore crabs.
Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals donates two dollars per stay to the Berry Good Food Foundation, which enables every $10 contribution to sponsor a student in a garden-to-table culinary class, furthering education in sustainable food practices.
Since its introduction, this initiative has already funneled $2,424 in donations to WILDCOAST and the Berry Good Food Foundation, with 130 students participating in culinary classes and aiding the restoration of habitats for 109 wildlife creatures in the initial soft launch phase.
Commitment to Sustainable Growth in Oceanside
The introduction of the Love O’side initiative and Kind Traveler’s program is a strategic part of Visit Oceanside’s Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, aiming to cultivate tourism that positively impacts the economy, environment, and community life in Oceanside.
“Travelers require a continual fuel of inspiration to motivate responsible travel choices. Kind Traveler is delighted to provide visitors with an exciting new way to empower their next vacation in Oceanside and help create a powerful legacy of purposeful change,” said Jessica Blotter, Co-Founder & CEO of Kind Traveler.
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