Travel and tourism industry rallies to bring aid to Haiti

All segments of the travel and tourism industry are working to help the victims of the horrific earthquake in Haiti. Here are some examples of who is helping and what you can do.

Atlantis, Olivia, & RSVP
The owners of three of America's leading LGBT cruise companies - Atlantis, Olivia, and RSVP - along with community activists Claire Lucas and Mark Bromley announced a coordinated fund to raise money for disaster relief from their current and past guests. All of the money collected through this appeal will be managed by the American Red Cross who will bundle these funds and record them as contributions from the LGBT community in America. Atlantis/RSVP have pledged US$15,000 in matching contributions, Olivia has pledged an additional US$7,500 for a total of US$22,500. Olivia is also offering a limited number of free cruises to those who contribute US$7,500 or more. They are urging all LGBT individuals and organizations to contribute and provide matching funds when possible. To contribute to the fund, visit: http://american.redcross.org/LGBT-pub .

Continental Airlines
Members of Continental’s OnePass frequent flyer program are eligible to donate miles, in the amount of their choosing, to two major charitable organizations involved in the Haiti relief effort. OnePass miles may be donated to The American Red Cross and AmeriCares. To make a donation, OnePass members should visit www.continental.com and see Donate Your Miles.

Grand Circle Corporation
In less than 24 hours, 2,000 travelers donated US$150,000 after an email from Grand Circle Foundation (Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel) invited travelers to give to the International Red Cross through the foundation to receive a match during a given time frame. The foundation will match the US$150,000 donations from travelers and also will give an additional US$100,000 to the International Red Cross in traveler donations made following the end of the matching period. www.grandcirclefoundation.org

InterContinental Hotels Group
Priority Club Rewards members of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) can donate their program points in 10,000-point denominations. Points will be converted into cash by IHG. The funds will be given to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to meet the urgent and critical needs of Haitian earthquake victims by providing emergency shelter, food, and water. Members can donate points online at www.priorityclub.com or by calling 1-800-272-9273.

Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen announced a relief effort to raise at least US$1 million in donations as well as to collect first aid, medical, and hygiene supplies. Rosen jump-started the fundraising campaign with a personal donation of US$250,000. The group is also collecting first aid kits, medical supplies, blankets, towels, washcloths, hygiene products, antibiotics, and bug spray. Rosen is also working with pharmaceutical vendors via his onsite Rosen Medical Center to secure donations of medical supplies.

Supplies may be dropped off at Rosen Centre hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819 or at First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando, 4701 Lenox Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32811 or at the Child development Center of Orlando, 11553 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Orlando, FL 32836. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Harris Rosen Foundation, memo: Haiti Relief, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. For more information, call 407-996-6715 or visit www.rosenhotels.com/haiti.

Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises plans to provide at least US$1 million in humanitarian relief and will be partnering with charitable organizations, such as Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, and the Solano Foundation, the company's foundation in Haiti. Royal Caribbean will also be delivering goods and supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships. Guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make a donation to Food for the Poor's Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their onboard account. Guests who would like to contribute immediately can visit www.foodforthepoor.org/royalcaribbean to make a donation.

By Linda Hohnholz