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Whosoever
moulds his person, his life becomes true.
Whosoever moulds his family, his life becomes complete.
Whosover moulds his community, his life will grow.
Whosoever moulds his country, his life will become rich.
Whosoever moulds the world, his life will become broad.
by Lao Zi, V. 54 Dao De Jing
Imperial Tours' corporate social action has traditionally focused
on the welfare of under-privileged children throughout China, and we are committed to long-term projects with impactful benefits. Since 2010, we have added environmental conservation to range our priorities and our ongoing strategy has three operating methodologies:
- Financial contributions to a range of exemplary China-based organizations targeting children’s welfare and environmental conservation. Donations are generated as a percentage of company profit and given at agency sales calls in lieu of buying food or trinkets for travel agents.
- Publicizing organizations on our website that merit support by our guests and the wider public but fall outside the parameters of our goals.
- Collaborating with NGO centers to create new products which offer mainstream travel experiences that benefit both the traveler and the disadvantaged.
Commencing in the summer of 2011, Imperial Tours has implemented a new approach aimed at promoting charitable giving and empowering our clients in the process. For every completed feedback form received from our clients, we donate US$15 of company profit towards one of three charities of their choosing. The three organizations we proudly support through these efforts are:
(i) Half the Sky Foundation which provides orphan children with loving influences as they await family placements;
(ii) Climate2Action which offsets carbon credits with clean, renewable energy through an innovative Hydroelectric project in Sichuan province;
(iii) Shanghai Sunrise which contributes to the education of underprivileged students in Shanghai.
Our past and ongoing contributions include:
UNDERPRIVILAGED CHILDREN'S WELFARE
(i) The Special Olympics in China (2002-2007)
George and Trish Smith, who had previously worked
for Special Olympics in the U.S. for many years, were sent to Beijing
in 2002 with a daunting challenge. They were asked to enroll over
700,000 children into the China program prior to the natural deadline
set by the hosting of the Special Olympics Games in Shanghai in
2007. Nancy Kim, co-founder of Imperial Tours, suggested
the idea of a fund-raising ball when she met George and Trish in
2002. She was appointed Chairperson, and the Beijing Ball
became a regular event. In 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006, the Beijing
Special Olympics Ball raised $20,000, $80,000, $100,000 and $130,000.
Apart from Special Olympics, Imperial Tours also
supports the affiliated Best Buddies program.
"You have been such glorious assistance
to our special friends even now still neglected."
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics
(ii) Under-privileged Children's Education Program
 From 2003-2006, Imperial Tours funded the tuition and expenses of 8 primary school students in rural Guilin. When some of our guests heard of this program, they also sponsored an additional 6 children from difficult circumstances.
Beginning in 2006, Imperial Tours began construction of a new playground
at a rural Guilin school. Together with the financial assistance of former
guests and associates, Imperial Tours provided the playground featured
in the photograph to the right. In summer 2008, following the demolition of the old school bathrooms and former adobe-brick building, the second section of the village school playground was then paved, and Imperial Tours supplied the playground with outdoor ping pong tables and other sports equipment.
In the summer of 2008,Imperial Tours outfitted the classroom of a small school in rural Lijiang with new desks and chairs together with former guest Francisco Orio and family.
In the summer of 2009, Imperial Tours collaborated with Beijing-based Compassion for Migrant Children by donating sports equipment to the CMC community center, and educating 40 migrant children during their first guided-tour of the Forbidden City.
In autumn of 2009, Imperial Tours launched a new project to supply financial aid packages that support a year of education for rural students in China through the Overseas Chinese Education Fund. Monies for the student aid packages are generated by reallocating funds that would otherwise supply gifts for travel agency office visits. The project will continue indefinitely and Imperial Tours has already donated 80 aid packages to primary, middle, and high school students in rural areas of Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Shanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan Province.
(iii) Other Contributions
Imperial Tours has featured visits to Braille Without Borders on all Lhasa itineraries since 2004 with Imperial Tours providing contribution on behalf of the visiting guests.
In spring 2008, the tragedy of the Sichuan earthquake shocked the world. In the first few hours, the news from Chengdu was limited and we thought fatalities were limited. Over the next few days, we learnt the worst. The Chinese government seemed to do a great job mobilizing the nation, and Imperial Tours like many Chinese businesses and individuals contributed to coping with this unfortunate event by donating to the Red Cross Society of China.
Commencing in 2010, Imperial Tours became a Small Business Partner with the Half the Sky Foundation.Since then we have continuously sponsored the ongoing care and support of four children living in orphanages across China through the Little Sisters Preschool Program and Infant Nurture Program.
In April 2010, nearly on the two-year anniversary of the devestating Sichuan Earthquake, catastrophe once again struck in a remote region of Yushu, Qinghai Province. Imperial Tours donated to Chengdu–based Sichuan Quake Relief, an organization that assists the remote communities throughout Yushu County, and those who are still struggling to rebuild from the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. Furthermore, we wish to acknowledge Juan Ignacio Parra, a former guest, for contributing to our donation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
 In late 2010, Imperial Tours began a partnership with Climate Actio2n, a UK-registered social enterprise - Imperial Tours actively contributes carbon offsets to Pingu Renjiaba Small Hydro Project, a renewable energy project which generates clean electricity using natural, run-of-river hydropower in the upstream area of the Fujiang River in Sichuan Province, China. The generated clean electricity is exported to the Central China Power Grid, thereby displacing coal-based electricity.
Saying "Thank You" For a Collaborative Effort
Imperial Tours acknowledges travel agents and former guests who have contributed to our social contribution efforts to support disadvantaged children in China:
Peg Aikman
Travel Experts |
Katey Hartwell
Travel Experts |
Katey Hartwell
Travel Experts |
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Orsolya Kako
Travel Trust International |
Michael King
Great Getaways Travel |
Ellen Markus
Worldview Travel |
| Francesco Orio Family |
Juan Ignacio Parra
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Nam Poole
Greatways Travel |
Marcella Rappoport
Ovations Vacations |
Kerry Stegeman
Century Travel |
Erik Zakrzewski
Linden Travel |
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