IPW Tourism Leaders Help Keep National Mall Clean for Visitors

June 5, 2017

June 3, 2017—Washington DC— Tourism Cares and 70 delegates to U.S. Travel’s IPW—the travel industry’s premier international marketplace— today helped the National Park Service (NPS) keep the National Mall clean for visitors.

“Washington DC is opening its doors to more than 6,300 travel professionals, who will generate $4.7 billion in Visit USA travel,” said IPW general manager Malcolm Smith. “We’re thrilled to give back to our host community, and also provide a unique hands-on destination experience.”

Approximately 24 million people a year visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks, a national park including more than 1,000 acres of greenspace and some of the country’s most recognizable monuments. With limited staff and resources, NPS works hard to maintain this iconic tourist destination and would not be able to keep up without the support of volunteers.

“We’re excited to be working with U.S. Travel to show the world how our travel industry gives better together,” said John Yonce, director of advancement at Tourism Cares. “Giving back is as American as New York City or the Grand Canyon, and this is just another way for us to help welcome international visitors.”

Tourism Cares enlisted volunteers from 37 companies and 11 countries to help NPS by picking up litter, and clearing grates on walkways to prevent flooding during heavy rain. Volunteers also helped preserve walkways by raking invasive sand from grass.

This is the first Tourism Cares program in conjunction with IPW and kicks off five days of events and business appointments for more than 1,000 U.S. sellers of travel services and more than 1,300 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries. Tourism Cares for Washington D.C. is made possible by The U.S. Travel Association (which owns and operates IPW), and sponsors Big Bus Tours and Entertainment Cruises.

Last year Tourism Cares supported and celebrated the NPS Centennial by donating more than 5,000 volunteer hours at a value of $117,000 to parks across the country. More about Tourism Cares for Our National Parks: http://www.tourismcares.org/nps-volunteer-program/

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About Tourism Cares
Tourism Cares, Inc., a US 501(c)(3) public charity, maximizes travel’s potential to be a global force for good by leveraging the care that travellers and the industry feel for the places we love. We unite the travel industry to make a greater impact on shared priorities, and to help each company fulfil its giving goals. Together, with leading travel and tourism companies and associations, we make a greater difference on three shared issues: helping destinations in need, supporting our workforce, and improving our corporate social responsibility. Learn more at TourismCares.org and @TourismCares.