Volunteer Vacations & Voluntourism

Rick Webster , VP of Public Policy at the US Travel Association, joins Traveln On Radio to talk about the Travel Promotion Act and his Associations efforts to promote tourism in the United States. Then voluntourism gal Alexia Nestora returns to Traveln On to talk about voluntourism as a transformational travel experience and author Sheryl Kayne joins Tonya & Ian to discuss her newly released book Volunteer Vacations Across America .

Episode Segments:

The Travel Promotion Act Rick Webster, VP of Public Policy at the US Travel Association, Ian and Tonya to talk about a piece of legislation working its was through Washington called the Travel Promotion Act. Rick explains what the Bill is, what is supposed to accomplish, and why some in the travel industry are opposed to it.
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The State of Voluntourism One of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry is the concept of Voluntourism the combination of travel and volunteering. Our voluntourism expert Alexia Nestora returns to Traveln On to talk about the results of a new survey that shows where the trends are headed in this segment of travel.
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Authors Corner - Sheryl Kayne Author Sheryl Kayne talks to Ian and Tonya about their her new book Volunteer Vacations Across America . She explains why she decided to focus on America in this book, and tells us about some of the diverse offerings that are out there.
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Links to Related Websites:

Order Volunteer Vacations Across America On Amazon.com The second book in the Immersion Travel USA series offers a one-of-a-kind examination of volunteer immersion opportunities throughout the US. Kayne profiles over 200 volunteer programs throughout the U.S., highlighting the personal stories of volunteers, and offering essential logistical information on the programs.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Sheryl Kayne Sheryl Kayne is a writer, adventurer, performer, and educator. She is the author of two published children’s books, creator of five newspaper and magazine columns, and contributor to national and international publications including: The New York Times, USA Today, Working Mother, Shape, Parents, American Profile and many others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of Bridgeport and Master of Science degree in school psychology from Fairfield University, and is an Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT teaching Public Speaking and Oral Interpretation of Literature. Kayne is also the author of Volunteer Vacations Across America. The recipient of numerous awards for writing, most recently she was the writer-in-residence at the Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL, and a writing fellow at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, NM. Click here to visit her website

Alexia Nestora Alexia is the director of Lasso Communications, a consultant firm that specializes in developing strategy and marketing communications for the voluntourism industry. Alexia previously ran the North American division of volunteer travel provider i-to-i and increased profits by over 50% in her first year. She recently supported research for prestigious Mintel reports on volunteer tourism and gap year as well as articles published in the Wall Street Journal, Smart Money and New York Times. She has been a speaker on volunteer tourism at the Adventure Expos, APTA National Conference and NY Times Travel Show and runs a blog for voluntourism providers: voluntourismgal.com

Rick Webster Rick Webster joined U.S. Travel in March 1993 as Manager, Tax Policy and was promoted to Director, Tax Policy a short time later. In 1997 his title changed to Director, Public Affairs, and in December 2005, he was promoted to Vice President, Public Policy. He has over twenty years of experience lobbying local, state and federal government officials. Click here for the US Travel Association website