Christie Holmes didn’t want her children to grow up in a bubble. So, she began thinking about how to engage them with other cultures, while at the same time contemplating conscious travel on a cultural level.
Holmes became the CEO and co-founder of innovative family travel provider Global CommUnity, whose motto “no one is foreign” speaks to its effort to build international understanding and familial bonds.
What was the inspiration for Global CommUnity?
The idea was to create a tool where families could not only do the engaging, age-related activities, but also to incorporate community impact. We provide tours where people can go, learn and see what’s being done in a country for renewal by the native population, through humanitarian, ecological or economic experiences. We’re not voluntourism, it’s sort of an in between — a deeper opportunity for the exchange of ideas.
How do you assist families with planning their trips?
The life travel matching tool helps the family plan out their travel over the course of five to 10 years. We have a survey that gives us a better understanding of who they are as a family, how they like to travel, what their daily routine is and the ages and interests of their kids. Our commitment is to craft a map until the youngest child turns 18. It’s a living document that helps the family budget around school calendars. It gets people planning ahead and setting aside the money for these experiences.
How does Global CommUnity make family travel an engaging experience?
The family will get age-appropriate books, games or movies, along with suggestions of other items before the trip. They get Spotify playlists of music from certain countries. Our partner Whole Planet will even provide recipes that have been created by community partners in those destinations. Kids 12 and under receive a doll and an illustrated storybook about life in the place they will be visiting.
Does Global CommUnity work with agents?
We are committed to the travel industry and only sell through travel agents, offering a 12 percent commission on all of our trips. If people come to us through the internet and don’t have an agent, we’ll match them with one to go through the booking process.
The Details
Global CommUnity
www.nooneisforeign.com
