Happy Fourth of July everyone but this year is tinged with sadness as we say farewell Melissa, fly well, and the Land of the Charity.
We look after each other in the world of travel.
And nobody has encompassed that more than Melissa Tilling, founder of Charitable Travel.
Our paths would cross the most in specific places… in Germany at their travel fare and at the American convention IPW.
Mission from Mel
It is too sad to think that we will never see her warm smile again.
It is, of course, hardest for her family and our sympathies go out to them.
They will know and we hope that it is of some comfort that Mel was truly loved by her friends… and customers in travel.
Now Mel said it better than any of us in the mission statement for Charitable Travel.
‘We work tirelessly to energise and galvanise the support of the travel and tourism industry, and the travelling public.
‘To raise tangible financial support to communities in travel destinations that depend on tourism revenue.
‘But have little support when that income is threatened or extinguished by events beyond expectation.’
Do your bit
So when customers book a holiday or cruise, Charitable Travel sacrifices travel agency commission.
And holidaymakers can make a free five percent donation to their choice of registered charity.
Now there is obviously no hierarchy of need.
But clearly the Caribbean is in the eye of the storm.
And CARE UK, who partner with Charitable Travel, are leading efforts in the emergency.
The beauty of Charitable Travel’s approach is that we all help through our custom so don’t feel the hit.
Florida for the family
For the day that’s in it, July the Fourth, and channeling Mel’s love for the States we pick out a US offer from Charitable Travel.
CT has two weeks in a self-catering family holiday villa, the Villa Cardinal, at Windsor Palms Resort in Orlando for October 9-23.
From £1332pp based on eight sharing.
Villa Cardinal houses four bedrooms with three bathrooms over one storey and pool and games room.
And most importantly Disney World is just a 13-minute drive and Universal Studios a half an hour away.
A wonderful trip
Which brings us to a gesture of generosity from Mel on the way back from San Antonio.
When she spotted me in the hotel lobby driverless and chasing my airport connection she asked if I wanted to share her Uber.
Of course she would not think of me sharing the cost of the ride.
So today, the Fourth of July, we say Farewell Melissa, fly well, and the Land of the Charity.
By pledging to the Charitable Travel Foundation and ramping up our promotion of Mel’s charitable, sustainable and ecological vision.
