Promoting Sustainability through Traveler's Philanthropy

Boehm, Amanda Marie; Cotter, Timothy; Cain, Jonathan Michael; Stanton, Gregory William

Student Work

Promoting Sustainability through Traveler's Philanthropy Public

This study, conducted in Monteverde, Costa Rica, examines how best to engage the tourism industry for philanthropic ventures. Our sponsor, the Monteverde Community Fund (MCF), collaborates with local businesses in collecting tourist donations, a strategy known as Traveler’s Philanthropy. However, their ability to support sustainable projects was limited by a lack of visibility to tourists and the community. To strengthen MCF’s approach to the Traveler’s Philanthropy model, we surveyed tourists and conducted interviews with local businesses and grassroots organizations. Using our data, we created various strategies to optimize MCF’s visibility and outreach efforts. We used the investigation to form a plan for MCF to develop as an organization and maximize their impact on the community.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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