MAKING A DIFFERENCE: VOLUNTOURISM EXCEEDES ECOTOURISM GROWTH

Vancouver, British Columbia - Vancouver based Plan Si Volunteer Connections Society and Beyond the Tour are working together to join people with a chance to make a lasting difference in the world. VolunTourism is now the fastest growing sector in the tourism industry. People are looking for ways to give back, feel good about themselves, have unique experiences and to grow as individuals. The organized trip in June 2007 to save the sea turtles in Costa Rica’s tropical oasis is a fantastic opportunity to start.

"People come to Costa Rica to help save the sea turtles or teach kids to read, but the focus is more on what we can learn from each other, it's about developing a mutual sense of appreciation and respect. My hope is that people will bring back the best of what they see and learn," says Cynthia Connell, Plan Si's Founder and Executive Director. Cynthia is actively involved in a volunteering program for Latin America. VolunTourism is a learning experience that brings people from different cultures together. Participants are directly involved with Costa Rica’s local community. They live, eat and work as a local and in doing this they not only learn about the country they are visiting but later may see their own country and culture in a different light.

“There is no better place to learn more about ourselves and the world around us," says Glen Sollors, Founder and Chief Trail Blazer, Beyond the Tour. He continues, "Spending time in lush rain forests, secluded beaches and saving sea turtles, develops a tremendous appreciation for our sensitive environment and ecosystem.” Visiting new countries brings greater awareness of the world around us, creates perspective and helps in reflecting on our own lives.

Thanks to the help of volunteers and the growing awareness of our collective impact on the environment, negative trends are being reversed. VolunTourism guarantees that you will get the most out of your vacation.

For more information on the VolunTour to Costa Rica, Plan Si, or Beyond the Tour, please visit www.plansi.com or www.beyondthetour.com.

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