Five Irish Travel Counsellors have taken part in the charity initiative ‘Pack for a Purpose’ as they celebrated their ‘Gold’ status in Jamaica.
Cork-based Mary Foyle and Sarah McCarthy, along with Rosemary Chawke from Tipperary, Jennifer O’Brien from Dublin, and Mandy Walsh from Meath, were among 70 Travel Counsellors from across the globe who recently celebrated their Gold status with an exclusive trip to the 5-star Half Moon resort in Jamaica.
The trip saw Travel Counsellors partner with non-profit organisation Pack for a Purpose, with the travel specialists suppling stationary equipment to Barrett Town School in St James. The school has over 350 pupils aged between six and 14 years.
The Pack for a Purpose initiative encourages travellers to use their luggage to take school, medical and other supplies to the communities they visit.
Cathy Burke, General Manager, Travel Counsellors Ireland, said: “Working within such a great industry means we are privileged to celebrate the success of our Travel Counsellors in beautiful destinations like Jamaica. However, it is also so important to give back to the communities we visit, playing our part to ensure tourism brings greater benefits for local people.
“Pack for a Purpose is a fantastic initiative and we were delighted to provide equipment to the cause. It was lovely for our Travel Counsellors to hear from the children themselves on what a difference this will make to their education. As a people-based business, Travel Counsellors is passionate about helping others – both locally and globally.”
Rebecca Rothney, Founder and Chairperson, Pack for a Purpose, added: “When Travel Counsellors invited their Gold travel specialists to Pack for a Purpose on their celebration trip to Jamaica, they included the community and children of Jamaica in their celebration, enriching the trip for themselves and the local community. When travellers choose to Pack for a Purpose, the trip they take goes farther than the miles they travel.”
Travel Counsellors hosts two trips each year for its top-performing Gold TCs to celebrate their business success and reward them for their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months. Travel Counsellors from Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Australia, along with supplier sponsors Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Atlantic, Air Charter Service and Jamaica Tourism, enjoyed a four-night stay on the beautiful island, with excursions and activities including bobsledding, golf, horse-riding and visits to local plantations and Dunn’s River Falls.
