Interview with Dave Holman – Travel With Purpose | Travel Research Online

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Interview with Dave Holman – Travel With Purpose

Although David Holman is a professional travel consultant, he is currently working on a mobile app that all travel professionals can share with their clients and incorporate into their own business models. We recently sat down with David to learn more about Travel with Purpose.

Travel Research Online: Let’s start with a quick description of Travel with Purpose.

David Holman: It is a mobile app and website that will match travelers seeking volunteer opportunities with nonprofits looking for help on projects or for ongoing needs. There is a growing trend towards people desiring to make a positive, meaningful impact on the people and places they visit. Currently, it requires a lot of footwork prior to travel to accomplish that goal. By making it easier to connect with nonprofits, even last minute, we hope to grow that legion of travelers who desire to “Leave It Better.”

TRO: Since everyone is going to ask, let’s get this question out of the way: will this app have any kind of booking capabilities?

DH: No. There will be no travel booking capabilities, and no travel agency connected to the program. The sole purpose of the service is to connect volunteers with nonprofits.

TRO: How do you envision the app working?

FB_IMG_1452548486592-217x300DH: Volunteers and nonprofits will both have a free option and a one-time fee premium option. The app will allow volunteers to upload a profile listing their skills/interests, travel plans (geographically and by dates), and contact information, free of charge. Premium membership will allow use of the “near me” feature, as well as a matching feature to correlate their travel plans by date and region, to posted opportunities.

Nonprofits will be able to upload a basic profile of their name, field of work, and contact info, free of charge. Premium functionality will include uploading postings of short term projects, urgent or one-time/emergency needs. They will also have the ability to search for and contact members currently traveling near them.

TRO: What will the cost be to download the premium version of the app?

DH: We haven’t set pricing yet, but I envision a nominal one-time fee for the premium versions.

TRO: It seems obvious how you want travelers and nonprofits to participate in the app, but how do you hope to involve travel suppliers?

DH: Travel suppliers have a vast database of travelers that they market to already. We want to work with them, having them promote the app to their travelers.

TRO: As travel professionals how can we support and utilize the app in our businesses?

DH: Once the app is live they can share the app with their clients, or even gift it to their clients. In the meantime, they can support the development of the app by contributing to our Kickstarter campaign before June 2nd. The Kickstarter campaign can be found at:

www.kickstarter.com/projects/travelwithpurpose/travel-with-purpose-mobile-app.

TRO: How can you be contacted if anyone has further questions?

DH: Anyone interested in more information can email me at davidholman@verizon.net


To contribute to Dave’s Kickstarter campaign for the Travel with Purpose app, visit the campaign website online at www.kickstarter.com/projects/travelwithpurpose/travel-with-purpose-mobile-app.

Susan Schaefer is the owner of Ships ‘N’ Trips Travel located in Tennessee, and specializes in leisure travel with a focus on group travel and charity fundraisers. Through their division Kick Butt Vacations, she focuses on travel for 18 to 23-year-olds. Susan can be reached by email at susan@shipsntripstravel.com or by phone at (888) 221-1209.

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