Momentum and Impact: Tourism Cares Releases 2024 Annual Report

Tourism Cares, the non-profit organization advancing positive social, environmental, and economic impact in the travel industry, has released its 2024 Annual Report showcasing a year of notable growth, global collaboration, and continuous momentum.

“This year marked a defining moment as we embarked on the first chapter of our new 20- year vision. By aligning values with action, we’ve seen real progress in connecting the industry with responsible businesses, equipping professionals with the tools for sustainable growth, and building a movement grounded in shared purpose,” said Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares.

“The future of travel depends on all of us, and with the leadership of our new board members and the dedication of our global community, we are poised to accelerate positive change across the industry,” Takehara added.

In 2024, Tourism Cares saw strong progression across its programs and partnerships. The Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map, a cornerstone initiative and one of the industry’s leading sources for vetted sustainable suppliers, added more than 400 new organizations last year, surpassing annual goals by more than 30%. 

Today, the Map features over 600 partners across 37 destination members and five continents, providing travel professionals with greater access than ever to responsible, community-led tourism experiences. 

The past year also saw the launch of the inaugural Meaningful Travel FAM program in Thailand and Hawai‘i, offering immersive, on-the-ground sustainability education for travel professionals led by local changemakers. 

As well, over the course of the year, more than 2,500 tourism professionals participated in virtual training sessions, in-person events, and educational programs, strengthening industry collaboration and knowledge sharing on meaningful travel and impact projects. 

In pursuit of its mission to directly support local initiatives in sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and economic development, Tourism Cares awarded over $70,000 in grants to 10 organizations across six countries, showcasing the power of travel as a force for good. 

Beyond the numbers, it is the outcomes that matter the most: strengthening the tourism supply chain, connecting the travel trade with local changemakers, and equipping professionals to embed sustainability into their operations.

As Tourism Cares’ impact and network continue to expand, the non-profit is strengthening its leadership by adding seven new members to its Board of Directors. 

They include:

Carly Biggart, Hurtigruten 

Brad Drake, Delta Air Lines 

Jennifer Furyk, Accor Hotels 

Melissa Krueger, Classic Vacations 

Aizaz Sheikh, Tour Radar 

Shaun Whitley, Travel Relations LLC 

Aaron Wodin-Schwartz, Brand USA 

“Looking ahead,” said Takehara, “our focus remains clear: to unify the travel industry around a shared vision of sustainability, equity, and purpose. Together, we can make meaningful travel the standard—not the exception.”