Kutoa - A New Online Community Launches to Promote Socially Green Travel

July 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Kutoa announces the launch of its new website (www.KutoaTravel.com), which promotes socially green hotels and excursion companies around the world that impact, improve, and empower local communities.  The company, whose name means “to give” in Swahili, provides travelers with a centralized, user-friendly way to plan trips that contribute time, goods, or services to important local causes at no extra expense to the traveler.  For example, travelers can use KutoaTravel.com to find an eco-lodge in Nicaragua that also runs an agricultural training college for locals, a luxury diving resort in Fiji that established its own foundation to support local community development and conservation projects, or a safari company in Tanzania that donates money to build libraries and schools for local children.  Some businesses listed on KutoaTravel.com also encourage travelers to engage actively with the communities they visit by bringing or buying much-needed supplies, or by volunteering during their trip.  This traveler-to-community interaction allows for a more meaningful experience for travelers, who see the tangible social good of the money they invest in their trips.

Whereas several other online travel search engines list accommodations and businesses that promote mostly environmentally green tourism, Kutoa is distinct in that it specifically handpicks socially green hotels and excursion companies that focus on the people and social causes within 50 miles (80 km) of where those companies operate.  While Kutoa encourages its member businesses to implement environmentally green practices, the company’s driving focus is on social responsibility and promoting trips that proactively benefit the communities travelers visit.  Although socially green and responsible tourism are still relatively new concepts, the increasing interest from travelers in finding trips that make a difference indicates that this exciting new industry can expect rapid and expansive growth over the next few years.

All of Kutoa’s member businesses are rigorously screened to ensure they fit the company’s socially green criteria.  Businesses such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, eco-lodges, hostels, resorts, safaris, scuba companies, volunteer programs, and tour companies can qualify for Kutoa membership if they donate money, goods, or services to support important local causes.  Currently, qualifying businesses can capitalize on a promotional 6-month free membership with Kutoa by applying through KutoaTravel.com or contacting the company directly at info@kutoatravel.com.  

For more information and news about Kutoa, including information about the free 6-month membership for qualifying businesses, visit www.KutoaTravel.com, email the company at info@kutoatravel.com, “like” Kutoa LLC on Facebook, and follow Kutoa LLC on Twitter.