Trafalgar helps build homes for local communities in South Africa

Trafalgar’s guided holidays offer travellers insider experiences of fascinating global destinations. But because we care about the countries we visit, we like to give something back to these wonderful places too.

Last week at an international travel conference in Cape Town,  South Africa, Trafalgar, as part of The Travel Corporation, showed how a global travel company can reach out and make a positive impact on local communities.

Working hand in hand with the Amy Biehl Foundation, Trafalgar conference delegates – along with their sister company colleagues – stepped out of their meetings and presentations and picked up tools to build ‘Wendy Houses’ for disadvantaged families in Cape Town’s surrounding townships.

A total of 21 of these small four-wall homes were constructed and then donated to local communities, providing a significant step up for families in need.

Gavin Tollman, Global CEO of Trafalgar states, ‘We brought our global delegates to South Africa not just to create business impact, but to create social impact. The creation of these 21 homes by the delegates of the conference will touch the lives of these communities. And clearly, from the emotion seen in delegates through the building and hand-over ceremony, Project Wendy House has already started to do just that.’

In addition to building houses, the hard-working Trafalgar delegates also took part in hosting 600 young school children at a local theme park, giving these children a day of smiles, laughter and love which will stay with them far longer than the gifts of clothing and ‘Relate’ bracelets which they also received before they went home.

Commenting on the project, Trafalgar Sales Director, Paul Melinis, said: ‘Working with Trafalgar teams from all over the world to build these houses was great fun, but it was also fantastic to have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the people here. I feel really proud and privileged to have been part of it.’

The experience has shown all involved – conference delegates and local communities – that the travel industry can have more than an economic impact on the regions in which it operates. It can build understanding and touch the lives of the local people in a meaningful way.

See our tours to South Africa

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