Amin, a Rainbow Railroad beneficiary, escaped to Toronto, Canada from Chechnya and has become an outspoken advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and the work of the organization that saved him.
Cypress, Calif. – February 23rd, 2022 – The Travel Corporation’s non-profit foundation, TreadRight, is announcing its newest partnership with Rainbow Railroad, an international non-profit based in Canada and the United States which is dedicated to bringing LGBTQI+ individuals around the world to safety.
In approximately 70 countries, LGBTQI+ people face violence and oppression simply because of who they love and who they are. Rainbow Railroad’s core program provides Emergency Travel Support to help LGBTQI+ individuals who live in significant risk find a pathway to safety in a new country where they can live free of persecution. In addition, the organization provides short-term financial aid to keep people safe in their current country as well as offering information and resources, coordinating referrals to local support organizations, and helping individuals understand their rights as asylum seekers. Since 2006, the organization has helped approximately 1,500 individuals escape violence and live openly and has enabled livelihood support for thousands more. The partnership with TreadRight will further Rainbow Railroad’s ability to help an increased number of persecuted LGBTQI+ individuals find safety.
The incredible work of Rainbow Railroad is highlighted, for example, by their ongoing response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan caused by the Taliban’s return to power, which has put LGBTQI+ individuals at serious risk. Since August, the organization has helped close to 100 LGBTQI+ Afghans relocate to Europe and has helped hundreds more stay safe with livelihood support and evacuation to neighboring countries.
TreadRight, The Travel Corporation (TTC) and Rainbow Railroad are aligned in a shared commitment to diversity, inclusion and a more equitable future for all. TTC and its family of award-winning brands including Contiki, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Red Carnation Hotels are a proud partner of The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), a world-wide network of LGBTQI+ friendly tour operators who support and promote equality and safety within LGBTQI+ tourism. In 2021, TreadRight sponsored IGLTA’s inaugural Impact Award, designed to recognize a business who’s made a special effort to address impact on the environment, communities, and diversity and inclusion.
“Increased diversity, equity and inclusion is vital to the communities we visit, as well to travelers,” says David Meany, The Travel Corporation’s Director of Partner Marketing. “Facilitating safe and inclusive travel for TTC’s guests is paramount and through our employee DEI training, we are taking steps to ensure all travelers feel welcome. The Travel Corporation’s Pride trips including Contiki Pride and African Travel Inc.’s Pride Safaris are designed to celebrate and educate about the diversity of LGBTQI+ communities around the world, while providing safe travel experiences created through the lens of LGBTQI+ travelers and travel experts,” he adds.
This project joins TreadRight’s roster of 60-plus philanthropic projects worldwide focused on supporting organizations which work to safeguard the planet, its people and wildlife. Those interested in donating to Rainbow Railroad can do so here. Learn more about TreadRight’s projects and its mission to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® at TreadRight.org.
About The TreadRight Foundation:
TreadRight is a joint not-for-profit initiative established by The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight sets the direction on sustainability for 40 award-winning brands, in addition to overseeing our TreadRight Foundation. The organization’s singular mission is to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® through brand operations, and by providing support to community-based projects worldwide that safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. To date, the foundation has supported 60+ sustainable tourism projects in 280+ communities worldwide, based on priorities set by the TreadRight Steering Committee. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid and The National Trust in the UK, while current initiatives include Green Bronx Machine, Project Vesta, Wilderness Foundation Africa and The Tourism Pathways Project. To learn more about past and current work at TreadRight, please visit TreadRight.org and follow TreadRight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our hashtag #MakeTravelMatter. We will make travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife. We have taken the pledge, now we invite you to join us.
About The Travel Corporation:
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a highly successful stable, and solvent family-owned and passionately run international group of 40 award-winning brands, celebrating our first 100th Anniversary in 2020. Our exceptional portfolio of brands spans across 70 countries and offers an extensive selection of international travel and tourism companies, encompassing a variety of guided travel experiences, independent holiday packages, boutique river cruising, luxury hotels and safaris. We are committed to consistently delivering outstanding service, experiences and value to each and every one of our guests and we do so through continuous innovation. Beyond our commitment to provide the world’s leading holiday experiences, TTC reassures travellers in these uncertain times that their future travels are safe with us. The financial strength and future longevity of the business is backed by the transparent exposure of the companies Red Carnation Hotels unencumbered fixed assets in excess of US$300,000,000 as of December 31, 2019. For more information, please visit TTC.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram (insert regional link) while using our hashtags #TravelWithTTC and #MakeTravelMatter