On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Christopher Hill, Founder of Hands Up Holidays. Christopher takes us inside his journey from a career in finance to launching a travel company focused on eco-luxury family volunteer vacations. In our conversation, Christopher shares the story behind Hands Up Holidays, and we discuss the company’s focus on family and ethical travel with a holistic approach that ensures each journey leaves a positive impact on local communities and their visitors.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

How Christopher built Hands Up Holidays by combining luxury travel with meaningful volunteer experiences
Why personal interaction with local communities and hands-on volunteering create transformative travel experiences for both guests and host communities
How Christopher creates consistency across marketing and delivery
How Christopher’s business model evolved to focus on families and why inspiring the next generation of world changers has become a core part of his mission
Why building strong, direct relationships with local communities and ground partners was essential before launching the business
How Hands Up Holidays curates unique, customizable trips that blend giving back with sightseeing and adventure
Hands Up Holidays’ collaborations with nonprofits, DMCs, travel agents, and brands like TOMS, and why shared values are key to their effective partnerships

The Foundation of Responsible Tourism

Launching Hands Up Holidays wasn’t a matter of spinning up a website and sending travelers abroad. Christopher spent two years building relationships with communities worldwide. He sought firsthand knowledge—not just through professional networks, but by traveling, listening, and consulting directly with prospective partners. His approach was, and still is, to ask communities what they need, ensuring that volunteer efforts are genuinely beneficial and welcomed.

Luxury, Family Focus, and Holistic Sustainability

Christopher identifies three powerful differentiators that have contributed to Hands Up Holidays’ success:

Luxury with a Purpose: Targeting high-end travelers with a philanthropy-based model, the company opens doors for those seeking to give back without sacrificing comfort. Hands Up Holidays redefines the luxury experience to include ethical action.
Family-Focused Experiences: Although originally aimed at professionals, Hands Up Holidays soon shifted focus to catering to families, especially those eager to foster gratitude and a sense of global citizenship in their children.
Holistic Sustainability: Their approach isn’t just about volunteering; it encompasses eco-friendly lodging, organic and local food, energy-efficient travel, and exclusively local guides. This creates a well-rounded, responsible travel experience.

Collaboration and Alignment

Collaboration—with communities, nonprofits, destination management companies (DMCs), and even other travel agencies—is central to Hands Up Holidays’ success. Christopher shares examples from major partnerships, like working with TOMS Shoes and a skateboard company to create impactful experiences in South Africa. The key ingredient for successful collaborations is shared values, and Christopher highlights that the most fruitful partnerships arise from aligned missions.

Resources:

Website: https://handsupholidays.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handsupholidays/

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