Intrepid Travel is looking out for porters around the world aka the people who do the hard task of carrying tourists’ bags while climbing tough & exhausting peaks.
Through the Step Up for Porters Challenge, Intrepid Travel hopes to raise AU$175,000 that’ll go towards ensuring they have the equipment, food, wages and bag weights they need for a safe trek.
Running 1 to 30 June, the fundraising campaign invites people around the world to tackle virtual treks such as Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro or Inca Trail using the Healthwise app to track their steps.
Steppers can use the app to monitor their progress, set up teams and compete on leaderboards. For additional impact, participants can set up a personal fundraiser. A few lucky steppers will win one of five Intrepid trips.
Participants will be charged a $25 fee to take part, which will go towards the Porters’ Collective, three NGOs supporting porters’ rights: Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), Kathmandu Environmental Education Project, and Awamaki – The Tourism Academy for Porters in Peru.
Intrepid Travel’s James Thornton described porters as the “heart and soul” of trekking trips and said more needs to be done to ensure their rights are met industry-wide.
“While we have strict guidelines on the treatment of porters, we believe more can be done to improve their conditions across the industry.”
James Thornton, Intrepid Travel Chief Executive
“We’re asking everyone, everywhere to Step Up for Porters and make a difference.”
The fundraising initiative is the first step in Intrepid Step Up for Porter’s campaign. The Intrepid Foundation has also commissioned a piece of independent research that aims to shed light on the state of porter welfare around the world.
Visit www.stepup.travel for more information and to register.
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