Making an Impact on Vacation

Using “Kind Traveler,” a Global Vision Award–winning booking platform, one traveler learns how to make an impact on vacation. Years ago, Jessica Blotter was an earth science teacher who regularly considered the health of the planet. Career moves in media and marketing led her to the startup world, where she caught the “entrepreneurial bug.” However, it wasn’t until she traveled to Belize in 2012 with her partner, Sean Krejci, that she realized how to merge her interests and skills into a greater purpose.

“We were invited to go caving and see Mayan ruins, but I felt a huge disconnect,” she noted. “Experiencing joy and fun while witnessing poverty around me was challenging.”

During a stop on her tour, she encountered emaciated dogs, prompting her to buy kibble to feed them. This small act of kindness resonated with fellow travelers, turning a feeling of helplessness into meaningful action.

Launching Kind Traveler

This experience in Belize inspired Blotter to help others positively impact their destinations while traveling. Sustainable travel entails making eco-conscious and community-minded choices, such as avoiding single-use plastics, purchasing from local makers, and conserving resources. Yet, navigating community support can be daunting without local insight.

To address this gap, she co-founded Kind Traveler, described as “a socially conscious, give-and-get hotel booking platform empowering travelers to positively affect the communities they visit.” Launched in 2016, the platform has grown from 20 to 170 property partners, where travelers unlock exclusive nightly rates by donating to vetted local nonprofits.

Some travelers find satisfaction knowing their support aids reputable organizations, while others can connect more deeply through “Travel Kindly Experiences” available in partnering communities.

Kind Traveler in Monterey

Traveling to the coastal towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea leads through stretches of farmland, where delicious produce thrives. As Blotter experienced a tinge of concern in Belize, I felt similar sentiments while witnessing the harvest workers tirelessly contributing to California’s agriculture.

Through the Kind Traveler portal, travelers can impact the community by supporting organizations like Rancho Cielo Youth Campus. This nonprofit aids local youth, providing vital job skills in areas like agriculture and cooking. Donations directly benefit the students, further enhancing community connections.

I attended a “Travel Kindly Experience” featuring a pre-fixe dinner at Rancho Cielo, where students honed culinary and customer service skills. The focused instruction aimed to empower these students, helping them build confidence for their future endeavors.

Traveling Kindly Beyond Monterey

Kind Traveler boasts partner hotels nationwide and globally, including locations in the Maldives and Switzerland. Each hotel employs the give-get model, enabling travelers to enjoy “Travel Kindly Experiences.” In Sonoma, various hotels support organizations like Farm to Pantry and Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Travelers engaging with these organizations often participate in impactful activities, such as gathering surplus produce to combat food waste. Programs exist globally, such as support for Arosa Bear Sanctuary in Switzerland and donations funding the Olive Ridley Project in the Maldives. Through various cause-driven initiatives, travelers are empowered with the question, “How can I help?” and provided with numerous ways to act.