Charitable Travel officially launched during Pride Month (June) and is thought to be the first travel company in the UK to be led by an openly transgender chief executive – Melissa Tilling (former Funway Holidays managing director).
Charitable Travel said Tilling was proof that being transgendered does not have to be a barrier, and that a successful career is still possible.
“For me, Pride Month 2020 – when the parades are silenced by lockdown – is a further chance to reflect, steel our determination and advance the acceptance and celebration of human diversity by standing up or taking the knee to be counted,” said Tilling.
“Social enterprise Charitable Travel lends our support to charities doing great work fighting discrimination and supporting those oppressed.
“If you book your trip with Charitable Travel 5% of your holiday price can be donated to the charity of your choice at no extra cost, and there are so many great LGBT+ and human rights causes to help.”
From upmarket resort holidays to intimate LGBT+-friendly boutique properties around the world, Charitable Travel “takes pride in helping the LGBT+ community with their travel plans and can create perfect, tailor-made holidays for all expectations and budgets”.
Travellers can combine their domestic or overseas holiday planning with donating to a UK registered charity of their choice through a platform partnership with JustGiving, at no extra cost to themselves.
The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, reflecting the human rights of LGBT+ people in Europe, has voted Malta the most LGBT+ friendly destination for five consecutive years.
Natalie Swinburne, trade marketing manager, said: “Charitable Travel is admirable in helping customers support their favourite charity by simply making a booking.
“We would also like to congratulate the social enterprise for focusing on acceptance for Pride Month as this is greatly important to us.”
Download a copy of the TTG Diversity Charter here.
