Supporting Environmentally Responsible Tourism

Travel provides an arena in which we may glimpse the extraordinary and come to understand our own place in the world in more meaningful terms. Travel allows us to garner fresh outlooks and form new attitudes that broaden our horizons. But travel also carries a degree of personal responsibility. The responsible global traveler honors the authenticity of ethnic lifestyles and unique cultures. The concerned global journeyman and woman seek to demonstrate a personal commitment to helping these special places remain special for many generations to come.

In 2007, Big Five inaugurated the Spirit of Big Five Foundation as a means to continue an already established practice of corporate giving. A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, the foundation is committed to the principles of sustainable tourism. It seeks to support projects working in the areas of conservation, poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.

The foundation has a pro-active collaboration with Costas Christ, an internationally recognized expert on sustainable tourism. Costas serves as the foundation’s “Ambassador at Large” and works hand in hand with the foundation chairman, Mahen Sanghrajka. A well-known keynote speaker and award-winning writer, Costas has been recognized for his work as the lead author of “Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism’s Global Footprint” and as a contributing author in “Wilderness: Earth’s Last Wild Places.” Costas assists the foundation in identifying and selecting projects consistent with the core principles of sustainable tourism that are at the heart of Big Five’s philosophy of travel. Costas serves as Chairman of Judges for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which promote global tourism best practices. He is also recognized for his work as the lead author of “Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism’s Global Footprint” and is a contributing author in “Wilderness: Earth’s Last Wild Places.” He regularly appears on television and as an international speaker.

Among its affiliations, Big Five Tours & Expeditions is a sustaining member of Tourism Cares for Tomorrow, a non-profit organization formed to preserve, conserve and promote the responsible use of the world’s natural, cultural and historic treasures, as well as to support education initiatives and research to help ensure the positive future of travel and tourism worldwide.

Spirit of Big Five Foundation is funded by the Sanghrajka family, the founders of Big Five Tours & Expeditions, but welcomes donations to specific projects. To honor the spirit of dedication to making a positive difference in the world, the Spirit of Big Five Foundation guarantees that 100% of any donation goes directly to the project(s) designated by the donor.