The Travelers Conservation Foundation (TCF), a charitable organization founded by the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), has launched a website: www.tcfonline.org.
The website outlines projects currently supported by the Foundation, as well as projects under consideration. Also described are the many benefits and services available to sponsoring companies in the tourism industry, as well as information on how to get involved and contribute.
TCF seeks to identify cultural, historical and environmental sites in need of conservation, preservation or restoration throughout the world. Its projects cover the globe, and reflect destinations served by USTOA members. Members can elect to identify their own projects with the assistance of the Foundation, or they can donate funds to any of those projects already selected.
Since its inception in 1999 TCF has contributed over $250,000 to the restoration of the original ferry building on Ellis Island, as well as to the restoration of Spruce House in Mesa Verde National Park, the latter project underwritten by Tauck World Discovery to mark its 75th anniversary. Additional projects under consideration include the RARE Center for Tropical Conservation on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula; Peru's Cusco Historic Center; Cinque Terre in Italy; Petra, Jordan; the Champaner Archaeological site in India; and the Amboseli Research for Elephant Conservation in Kenya. Descriptions of all the projects can be found on the TCF website.
According to TCF's Executive Director, Bruce Beckham, "Since our mission is to preserve endangered areas of importance to tourism worldwide, the Internet, with its instantaneous worldwide reach, was the next logical step for us. We now anticipate an even greater outreach to companies and organizations in the travel industry to help us preserve the past for future generations of travelers."
More information on the Travelers Conservation Foundation is available at www.tcfonline.org or through Bruce Beckham & Associates, Inc., 587 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021, (781) 821-5990; or toll free at (888) 821-5990, e-mail beckham@aol.com. Interested parties can also contact USTOA, 342 Madison Ave., Suite 1522, New York, NY 10173, (212) 599-6599; fax (212) 599-6744; or e-mail: information@ustoa.com.
Public Relations Contact:
Linda Kundell Communications
(212) 877-2798, (212) 877-3387 fax
(For all other inquiries about USTOA, please contact USTOA.)
