Explore & Empower: Travel for a Cause Cultural Stay Programs on Big Island Hawaii
Executive Summary
Explore & Empower is a revolutionary travel and cultural stay program that’s breaking new ground on the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s a unique vacation experience that combines both relaxation and supporting social issues by immersing into local Hawaiian culture, while promoting sustainable tourism.
Our unique mission is to create unforgettable cultural stay experiences for vacationers, while simultaneously empowering local Hawaiian communities through economic growth, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. To fully realize our vision, we’re seeking an investment of $40,000 to $50,000 for essential expenses such as securing permits for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, purchasing vehicles, maintaining liability insurance, covering startup expenses, and ensuring operational income.
II. Organization Background
In 2023, Travel for a Cause Hawaii was established because of the growing need for sustainable and responsible tourism initiatives in Hawaii, and the rise in Ai technology. Our team is passionate about creating a lasting positive impact on Hawaiian communities on the Big Island by reinventing tourism through responsible practices and collaboration.
Our organizational structure will consist of a Board of Directors, Executive Director, Program Managers, and Volunteer Coordinators. We have a team of diverse experts who bring skills in sustainable tourism, community engagement, and project management to ensure we create seamless and unique cultural experiences for our vacationers.
III. Needs Assessment
A. With the continued growth of tourism in Hawaii, there is a pressing need for sustainable tourism initiatives that respect local communities, preserve the environment, and support local economies.
B. This project targets both visitors to Hawaii and local residents, aiming to create a mutually beneficial relationship between them.
C. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for more resilient and sustainable tourism practices in Hawaii, as the industry has been severely impacted.
IV. Program Description
A. The program’s objectives are to develop community-based sustainable tourism initiatives, educate visitors and residents about Hawaiian culture and environmental stewardship, and provide support to local businesses and charities.
B. Project activities include organizing cultural workshops, environmental cleanups, and community development projects.
C. A detailed action plan and timeline will be provided for effective project implementation.
D. Collaboration with local stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, and government agencies, ensures the project’s success.
E. Engagement strategies will be employed to encourage participation in the project, such as public events, social media campaigns, and volunteer recruitment.
V. Budget
Proposal:
Explore & Empower will operate as a travel and cultural stay program that offers participants a comprehensive schedule of activities including guided visits to historical sites, immersive cultural workshops, and opportunities to volunteer for eco-friendly initiatives on the Big Island of Hawaii.
To successfully run the Explore & Empower program, we require an initial investment, which will be allocated as follows. A budget breakdown includes costs for personnel, equipment and supplies, travel expenses, administrative costs(corporate accounts, revolving credit), and operating expenses.
1. Liability Insurance (annually) – $5,000
2. Vehicle Purchases – 1-2 vehicles at $10,000 each
3 Start-up Expenses/permits – $5,000
4. Operating Income – $10,000
5.Revolving credit corporate accounts(marketing)and ad subscriptions- $10,000
Total funding required: $40,000-$50,000
Revenue Streams:
Our main source of revenue will be the program fees paid by participants. Based on the sales from Discover Hawaii Tours and Sunshine Aloha Tours from 2021-2022, between August and Feb there was a total gross sales of $180,000 from a combination of private and group tours. There were a total of 168 bookings. Approximately, 5% of the bookings were private tours ranging from $3500-$7000. The rest of the bookings were group tours with 4-6 people on average.
Our target to start is to enroll a minimum of 21 participants per month for the first quarter, which would result in $90,000 of revenue during our first quarter of operation.
Salary and administrative costs are justified by the need for a dedicated and skilled project team to achieve project objectives.
In-kind contributions and external funding sources will supplement the requested grant amount.
VI. Monitoring & Evaluation Plan
A. KPIs(key performance indicators), such as the number of participants, community engagement, and environmental impact, will be used to evaluate program success.
B. Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, and observations.
C. Regular evaluations and reports will be submitted to grantors to ensure transparency and accountability.
VII. Sustainability Plan
A. To ensure long-term success, the project will build strong partnerships with the community and stakeholders, develop an effective marketing plan, and implement best practices for sustainable tourism development.
B. Strategies for ongoing funding include grant applications, fundraising events, and developing income-generating initiatives.
C. Plans for organizational growth include expanding the program offerings and collaborating on regional and global sustainable tourism initiatives.
VIII. Key Personnel & Partnerships
A. Project staff will include experienced professionals in tourism, community engagement, and project management. Detailed descriptions and qualifications will be provided.
B. Key community partners will be identified, and their roles defined to achieve successful collaboration in the project.
Milestones:
1. Obtain permits:
Complete permit applications and secure permits for State of Hawaii dept of transportation and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park within 3 months of funding.
2. Purchase vehicles:
Acquire 2 vehicles essential for guided tours and participant transportation within 1 month of funding.
3. Secure liability insurance:
Obtain and maintain liability insurance within 1 month of funding.
4. Launch website:
Design and launch the Explore & Empower website for promoting our programs and allowing participants to book online within 1 month of funding.
5. Initiate partnerships:
Collaborate with local organizations, businesses, and cultural experts in Hawaii to enrich our cultural stay offerings and secure volunteering opportunities for participants within 3 months of funding.
6. Market program:
Implement targeted marketing strategies to attract participants through social media, online advertisement, and word-of-mouth referrals within 2 months of funding.
7. First season:
Launch the Explore & Empower inaugural season with the most popular packages having a minimum of 20 participants per week within 2 months of funding.
Return on Investment:
Refer to the supporting documents below for 6-month and 5-years estimated sales projections. We will provide investors with quarterly financial reports detailing revenue, expenses, and profits. With the proposed pricing structure, we expect a return on investment (ROI) within one year of operation. Additionally, by playing a substantial role in establishing and growing this business, investors would be directly contributing to local Hawaiian communities and a more sustainable tourism industry
IX. Additional Supporting Information
Tours
6-Month Estimated Sales Projection
Based on the sales from Discover Hawaii Tours and Sunshine Aloha Tours from 2021-2022, between August and Feb there was a total gross sales of $180,000 from a combination of private and group tours. There were a total of 168 bookings. 5% off the bookings were private tours ranging from $3500-$7000. The rest of the bookings were group tours with 4-6 people on average.
With that information, we can estimate the future sales projection for the next 6 months as follows:
1. Average gross sales for the seven months: $180,000
2. Average gross sales per month: $22,500 (180,000/8)
3. Total bookings for the seven months: 168
4. Average bookings per month: 21 bookings (168/8)
To project future sales, let’s estimate that the monthly average bookings will remain the same, with 5% private tours, and 95% group tours. Private tours were an average of $5,250 per booking and group tours averaged $1,600 per booking.
Here’s a breakdown of our estimated 6-month sales projection:
– Private tours: 21 bookings x 5% = 1 booking per month
– Revenue per booking: $5,250
– Total revenue from private tours: $31,500 (1 booking x $5,250 x 6 months)
– Group tours: 21 bookings x 95% = 20 bookings per month
– Revenue per booking: $1,600
– Total revenue from group tours: $192,000 (20 bookings x $1,600 x 6 months)
Therefore, our estimated 6-month sales projection will be $31,500 + $192,000 = $223,500.
It’s important to note that sales projections are based on assumptions about future sales performance and external factors, and they are not precise predictions. Additionally, changes in market conditions, industry trends, and competition could impact actual sales figures. So, it’s always essential to review and monitor the sales projections regularly and adjust them based on actual sales performance.
5-year sales projection
Based on the sales from Discover Hawaii Tours and Sunshine Aloha Tours from 2021-2022, between August and Feb there was a total gross sales of $180,000 from a combination of private and group tours. There were a total of 168 bookings. 5% off the bookings were private tours ranging from $3500-$7000. The rest of the bookings were group tours with 4-6 people on average. With a 25% increase in gross sales from the previous 6-month projection.
Here is the estimation:
– Year 1:
– Private tours:
– Total bookings: 12 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $5,250
– Total revenue from private tours: $63,000
– Group tours:
– Total bookings: 240 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $1,600
– Total revenue from group tours: $384,000
– Total gross sales: $447,000
– 25% increase in gross sales: $111,750
– Year 2:
– Private tours:
– Total bookings: 12 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $5,250
– Total revenue from private tours: $63,000
– Group tours:
– Total bookings: (240 bookings x 1.25) = 300 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $1,600
– Total revenue from group tours: $480,000
– Estimated total gross sales: ($447,000 + $111,750) x 1.25 = $742,187.50
– Year 3:
– Private tours:
– Total bookings: 12 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $5,250
– Total revenue from private tours: $63,000
– Group tours:
– Total bookings: (300 bookings x 1.25) = 375 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $1,600
– Total revenue from group tours: $600,000
– Estimated total gross sales: ($742,187.50 + $185,546.87) = $927,734.37
– Year 4:
– Private tours:
– Total bookings: 12 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $5,250
– Total revenue from private tours: $63,000
– Group tours:
– Total bookings: (375 bookings x 1.25) = 469 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $1,600
– Total revenue from group tours: $750,400
– Estimated total gross sales: ($927,734.37 + $231,933.59) = $1,159,667.96
– Year 5:
– Private tours:
– Total bookings: 12 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $5,250
– Total revenue from private tours: $63,000
– Group tours:
– Total bookings: (469 bookings x 1.25) = 586 bookings
– Revenue per booking: $1,600
– Total revenue from group tours: $937,600
– Estimated total gross sales: ($1,159,667.96 + $289,916.99) = $1,449,584.95
Therefore, based on a 25% increase in gross sales, the estimated 5-year sales projection is $1,449,584.95.
As with any sales projection, it’s important to remember that they are based on assumptions about future sales performance and external factors that could impact actual sales figures. Therefore, it’s essential to review and monitor sales projections regularly and adjust them based on actual sales forecasts.
Community Initiative 2024 Yearly Schedule
Travel for a Cause: Big Island Hawaii Program –
January:
– Week 1: Program promotion
– Week 2: Volunteer enrollment and registration
– Week 3: Hawaiian cultural exchange program registration
– Week 4: Fundraising workshops and preparation
February:
– Week 1: Environmental initiatives: beach cleanups and tree planting
– Week 2: Community service projects: working in local schools and food banks
– Week 3: Hawaiian history and culture presentations: language workshop
– Week 4: Wildlife conservation efforts: working with sea turtles and native bird species
March:
– Week 1: Marine conservation: coral reef restoration and invasive species removal
– Week 2: Sustainability and eco-tourism workshops
– Week 3: Traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts workshop
– Week 4: Beach and local hikes to explore the island
April:
– Week 1: Education initiatives: tutoring and curriculum development
– Week 2: Agricultural efforts: working on local organic farms
– Week 3: Earth Day celebration: eco-fair and demonstrations
– Week 4: Cultural exchange program: traditional Hawaiian dance and music workshops
May:
– Week 1: Coastal ecosystems workshop: monarch butterfly habitats and protection
– Week 2: Community service projects: working in elder care facilities
– Week 3: Water-sports and environmental awareness: surfing, snorkeling, and diving
– Week 4: Traditional Hawaiian cooking workshops and luau
June:
– Week 1: Environmental initiatives: coastal restoration, beach cleanups
– Week 2: Hawaiian language and culture workshop
– Week 3: Marine conservation: working with dolphin and whale sanctuaries
– Week 4: Cultural adventure excursions: exploring historical sites and volcanoes
July:
– Week 1: Education initiatives: summer camps and after-school programs
– Week 2: Renewable energy and recycling workshops
– Week 3: Community service projects: working in animal shelters
– Week 4: Cultural exchange program: lei making and Hula dance workshops
August:
– Week 1: Agricultural efforts: working in community gardens and food forests
– Week 2: Tropical rainforest hikes and conservation efforts
– Week 3: Marine conservation: working with shark and ray sanctuaries
– Week 4: Hawaiian history and culture: storytelling and legends workshops
September:
– Week 1: Environmental initiatives: watershed restoration and native plant nursery projects
– Week 2: Community service projects: working in homeless shelters
– Week 3: Coastal ecosystems workshop: protecting endangered species
– Week 4: Traditional Hawaiian sports and games workshops
October:
– Week 1: Education initiatives: literacy and mentoring projects
– Week 2: Agricultural efforts: harvest season and food preservation workshops
– Week 3: Marine conservation: underwater cleanup and monitoring projects
– Week 4: Halloween in Hawaii: cultural exchange and celebrations
November:
– Week 1: Sustainable tourism: eco-friendly lodging and transportation projects
– Week 2: Community service projects: Thanksgiving meal preparation and food drives
– Week 3: Hawaiian culture and history: lessons in navigation and canoe building
– Week 4: Environmental initiatives: protection of sacred landscapes and archaeology sites
December:
– Week 1: Review of the year’s projects, accomplishments, and impacts
– Week 2: Holiday celebration: incorporating Hawaiian traditions into festivities
– Week 3: Year-end fundraiser: silent auction and benefit concert
– Week 4: Closing ceremonies and program evaluation/reflection
Travel for a Cause: Explore & Empower 