Many in the travel industry are looking at various ways to assist affected Texas communities after the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Harvey in recent days.
Tourism Cares is urging those who want to help to look at long-term recovery efforts as well as tourism.
"All our eyes and hearts are with Texas, and we all want to help," said Mike Rea, CEO of Tourism Cares and an expert in disaster recovery and philanthropy.
"The immediate needs are dire and demand immediate response - that is always clear. Yet at this moment it's also important to consider how your donations can help the longer term recovery of the tourism destinations we know and love."
Right now, Tourism Cares is in contact with travel and tourism officials in Houston, Rockport, Port Aransas and other affected regions, working with them to best assess ways in which recovery assistance can be provided.
If you or your company are thinking of donating, the organization has a few guidelines you can follow to make the most of your contribution:
Spread it Around
Spreading funding to more than one organization and those with varying goals will make a bigger impact.
Recovery as Well as Relief
Disaster relief has a long recovery phase, but urgent relief often gets the most attention. Recovery is harder, longer, more expensive and requires many different types of organizations.
Fund Local
Feel free to donate to local charities and causes that are already close to your heart.
Commit to the Long Term
It is important to set aside some of your planned giving for year-end holiday donations. Local needs will change as the immediate issues subside and long-term problems become more evident. Giving later in the year will allow more targeted efforts where there is the most need.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Airlines Exchanging Miles for Harvey Donations[/READMORE]
If you are considering making a donation, Tourism Cares recommends the following:
For relief: Central Texas Red Cross and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
For relief and children:Save the Children, Driscoll Children's Hospital
For recovery and local support: Tourism Cares recommends staying in touch with local destination marketing organizations and convention and visitors bureaus, the Mayor's relief fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
Tourism Cares has a long history of advancing the social impact of travel and tourism. It has worked to develop and refine disaster recovery best practices. The organization has led relief efforts in Napa after a devastating earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy as well as many others.
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