A big part of the hospitality and tourism industry that I think needs to be highlighted more is the importance of giving back to those in need and to your local community. The beauty of hospitality-oriented business and tourism is that it can bridge cultural gaps and connect people beyond a surface level. The more our industry expands and becomes universal, the smaller those geographic and cultural distances become. At the same time, I’m aware that gentrification, for instance, is a serious concern that is primarily contributed to the emergence of hospitality-related enterprises in “up-and-coming neighborhoods.” My personal outlook is that societal and natural issues are not going to be solved in a day, yet there are ways in which we can go about participating in this industry while also doing our best for everyone.
The purpose of this section is to feature different philanthropic causes and platforms to engage with say when a community experiences wildfires, a hurricane, or is seeking funding for local-based projects. Some of the organizations I’ve worked with in the past include The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, B Strong Disaster Relief, & Jesuit Refugee Service.
-Nico Valdés
(American Cancer Society Gala 2016, B Strong Disaster Relief, American Heart Walk 2017)
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