Travel industry can be a huge step toward Haiti’s recovery

In times like these, it makes me proud to be part of an industry that possesses the capability and vision to provide support and care to the world’s most troubling issues.

After little more than a week since the terrible earthquake that rattled the small nation of Haiti, killing hundreds of thousands while leaving countless numbers injured, orphaned and homeless, the unbelievable tragedy remains fixed in our hearts and minds. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the capital Port-au-Prince last Tuesday evening, flattening schools, hospitals and apartment blocks, with one local resident estimating as much as 80% of the city has been destroyed.

While relief and recovery efforts are working tirelessly throughout the affected region, critical supplies are still not being transported or distributed quickly enough, nor reaching those who need them most. Goods and personnel coming into the island nation remain largely bottle-necked, as Port Au Prince ’s nonfunctioning seaport and many impassible roads hinder relief efforts.

It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of so many challenges. But, it is perhaps both a duty and a privilege for the travel industry – one which knows how small the world really is – to lend a substantial “helping hand” to a region that is far beyond the capability to help itself.

Desperate times, positive measures

One example: Business travel company Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS) is donating $10 for every ticket booked throughout the month, as well as matching the dollar value for all Status Rewards points donated to the cause by its customers.

“Being so tied to the travel industry and sending many clients to that part of the world, every day, made it feel like the earthquake happened in my own backyard,” said Tom Osovitzki, Corporate Travel Management Solutions Founder and CEO. “I wasn’t the only one at CTMS that felt the desire to help either. Following the earthquake I received numerous emails from ctms employees wondering how, as a group, we could contribute.”

Airlines are also leveraging their frequent-flier programs to help with the relief effort. One notable effort comes from low-cost carrier Spirit, which says it will give 5,000 frequent-flier miles to members that donate at least $5 to the Red Cross, UNICEF or Yele Haiti.

Spirit says it’s prepared to dole out up to a billion miles in total, while British Airways (BA) has already offered aid agencies a relief aircraft to fly emergency services and equipment to Haiti. A Boeing 747, with capacity for up to 50 tonnes of cargo, flew into the region on Saturday crewed by volunteer BA pilots and cabin crew.

“The situation in Haiti is desperate,” commented BA chief executive Willie Walsh, “and we must do what we can to help.”

Other proactive airlines giving to the Haitian relief and recovery efforts include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, Virgina and United.

United Airlines in particular has become involved with delivering 50 tons of supplies to victims, while many of its return flights will be filled with Haitian orphans who are now, according to the US government, allowed to enter the United States while the country is in repair. The airline also pledges to match up to $50,000 in contributions made by its employees to the American Red Cross, and flight attendants en route to Haiti will donate their time and work for free. Visit united.com to contribute to the US Agency of International Development, the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders.

With arms – and doors – wide open

Hotels and other travel entities are also following suit. Marriott has donated $500,000, and is also allowing guests to donate their Marriott Rewards Points to relief groups.

Starwood, Best Western, InterContinental, Hyatt and Hilton are all helping transfer points to donate to the American Red Cross and other international funds, while Choice Hotels is offering the option of donating points to either the “Building Together group, or the Armed Forces Relief Fund.

Sage Hospitalities is donating $10 per room each night to the Red Cross until the end of the month. It will also hold a “Sage Helps Haiti Day” and some of its properties will donate a percentage of food and beverage profits for relief agencies.

Expedia, Hotels.com and Orbitz are encouraging customers to make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund via their home pages, and every dollar of commission earned through HotelSpy.com until Feb. 28, of this year will be donated to relief groups and non-profit organizations to aid in Haiti’s recovery.

Rosen Hotels & Resorts is coordinating a Haitian outreach program with a goal of raising $1 million, with 100% of contributions received to go toward relief efforts.

Loews Corp. donated $25,000 to the Red Cross, while Starwood Hotels & Resorts said it will match donations to the Starwood Associate Relief Fund and UNICEF up to $100,000.

“We have a strong relationship with the world as a whole,” added Osovitzki of CTSM. “The world is our livelihood and we need to respect it and its people. Whether it is for business or pleasure the very nature of the travel and tourism industry is that it brings people together from across the world.”

Surviving is hard. Giving is easy.

The weeks, months and perhaps years to come will be a true trial and hopefully testament to the power of the human spirit. On behalf of TerraCurve, thank you for playing a part in this ongoing struggle.

Got a cell phone? Good – use it. Make a donation to the Yele Haiti earthquake fund by clicking here or texting the word “yele” to 501501 ($5 per text will be donated). For more options, check out a more complete list here.