Seattle, Jan. 13, 2016/PRNewswire/ — Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel and CarnivalCorporation’s (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) 10th and newest brand, today announcedfour additional social impact activities available to travelers visiting theDominican Republic.
In addition to the range of compelling social impactactivities previously announced – from building water filters for Dominicanhomes to helping a women’s cooperative produce artisan chocolates – travelersmay now select from four phenomenal new social impact projects focused oneducation, economic development and the environment. New impact activitiesinclude: improving homes and common areas in impoverished communities; workingwith special needs rehabilitation therapy patients; assisting arts and craftsentrepreneurs at a women’s cooperative; and connecting one-on-one in the homesof Dominican host families.
According to TaraRussell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation,with the flexibility to choose from a wide selection of impact activities andrecreational options, Fathom travelers will be able to customize theiritineraries to achieve their own ideal balance of purpose and play time.
"We are thrilledto expand our social impact opportunities by offering these new programs thatwere created together with our local impact partners to address important areasof need for the community," said Russell. "Fathom was established togive people a way to combine their love of travel with their desire to make adifference. These latest additions to the social impact portfolio will fulfillthat promise, giving travelers even more options for getting immersed in theDominican culture by working alongside its people to create enduring socialimpact."
More details about Fathom’s new social impact activities:
Home Improvement – Eventhough the Dominican Republic is the most visited travel destination in theCaribbean, not all Dominican residents benefit from the island’s tourist boom.Forty percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and the averagehousehold income is less than $6,000. In the country, it is common for homes inimpoverished communities to have dirt floors, which can be unsafe and unhealthyfor homeowners and their families.
As part of this home improvement initiative,travelers will help pour concrete for new floors to help improve livingconditions in these homes. Fathom travelers also may take part in paintinghouses, fixing broken furniture, cleaning and improving community surroundingsand common areas, or planting fruit trees as part of beautification effortsthat will also provide long-term nutritional benefits. Travelers will workalongside homeowners and other members of the community, including children andteenagers, helping them create beautiful surroundings.
Special NeedsRehabilitation – A great number of disabled Dominicans are not able to accessthe physical and rehabilitation therapy they need due to the scarcity ofresources available. Fathom travelers will have the opportunity to directlyhelp address this issue by working with special needs patients at a nearby physicaland rehabilitation therapy center. Activities range from participating in gametherapy sessions for children with autism to supporting lab personnel to makeand fit cost-subsidized orthopedic devices and prostheses. These contributionswill help ease employee workloads and create opportunities for more people tobe served.
Arts & CraftsProduction with Local Women’s Cooperative – In addition to working with membersof the women’s cooperative to cultivate cacao plants and produce organicartisan chocolates, Fathom travelers may now connect with another group ofenterprising women who have formed an association to make eco-friendly arts andcrafts made of locally recycled paper. Both programs enable Fathom travelers tohave a direct and enduring impact on growing the potential income sources forcooperative members.
For the new arts andcrafts program, travelers will support all aspects of the business, allowingtravelers to help with activities that appeal most to their personal interestsand passions. For example, travelers curious about how things are made maychoose to roll up their sleeves to help with the paper recycling process.Travelers with more artistic interests and skills can help create arts andcrafts for the cooperative to sell. More business-minded travelers may helpfind ways to expand the association’s distribution network, help formalize theprocess for taking products to market, and more.
Host Family Experience– The saying, "mi casa es tu casa" holds true as Dominican familieswill welcome Fathom travelers with open arms and invite them into their homes.Travelers will experience life in the Dominican Republic firsthand while spendingthe day with host families. After a morning familiarization communitygathering, Dominican families will host Fathom travelers in their homes,connecting one-on-one and sharing more about daily life in the country. Duringthe visit, Fathom travelers will help the local families polish their Englishlanguage skills, while discussing local community assets that could beleveraged for future tourist income and ideas for potential microbusinessesthat might expand the earning potential of the families.
Prices for theseven-day trips to the Dominican Republic start at $974 per person, excludingtaxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboardsocial impact immersion experiences, three onshore social impact activities andrelated supplies. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on futuresailings, a fully refundable $300 per person deposit is required for all cabincategories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 90 days prior todeparture.