Travel industry leaders including Expedia Media Solutions, Mabrian and MMGY Global, the leading international travel and hospitality marketing communications agency, made a $13,500 donation to international water charity Just a Drop, for its clean water project at Norah Junior School in Uganda. The money was raised at the MMGY Tourism Cup at the World Travel Market (WTM) London.
The MMGY Tourism Cup, which was inspired by international golf competitions, matched a team of European travel and tourism leaders against their counterparts from the Americas in a debate-style forum that shed light on travel and tourism trends. The one-hour program was designed to build incremental donations courtesy of MMGY Global, Expedia Media Solutions and Mabrian.
“This is our second year partnering with international water charity Just a Drop and we are grateful for the opportunity to help provide clean water and facilities for the children of Norah Junior School,” said Don Montague, principal, MMGY Global.
The $13,500 donation will be used by Just A Drop to fund a school water tank, sanitation and hygiene training at Norah Junior School in the Wakiso District of Uganda.
Brendan Hanlon, head of fundraising and communications at Just a Drop, said, “Thanks to MMGY Global, Expedia Media Solutions and Mabrian’s generous support, 426 pupils at Norah Junior School in Uganda will gain access to clean safe water, sanitation and hygiene training. Together, we will make a significant impact in the lives of these children and their futures.”
The MMGY Tourism Cup was moderated by MMGY Global Vice Director of Global Strategies Chris Pomeroy and Senior Vice President of Business Strategy Craig Compagnone. Tom Jenks, CEO and executive director of the European Tour Operators Association led the European team and Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destination Marketing Association International, led team Americas. Additional team competitors included Eduardo Santander, CEO, European Travel Commission; Andrew van der Feltz, senior director (EMEA), Expedia; Elizabeth Aston, senior advisor industry affairs, Amadeus; Sergio Zertuche, VP of global sales and marketing, Palladium Hotel Group; Ted Davis, CMO, Benchmark Global Hospitality; Leslie Dance, VP of marketing and product development, Hawai’i Tourism Authority; Rodrigo Esponda C., managing director, Los Cabos Tourism Board; and Howard Pickett, CMO, San Francisco Travel.
