VWB Volunteers

If you volunteer with VWB you must be a good fit for our workplace culture. We do not see our work as 'giving back' per se, but as a collaboration with local entrepreneurs to address the many serious problems facing the tourism industry.

Most of these problems are derived from or are exacerbated by the lack of opportunity and equitable share in the rewards of tourism. 

In volunteering, fully expect to learn at least as much as you contribute, using the experience you gain to inform your world view and help shape the future for all those who follow. 

Before being accepted as a VWB volunteer on assignment for the RTA  - you would undergo a candidate selection process:

• Resume - Submit your resume to info@track-of-the-tiger.com - subject RTA Local Agent Training.

• Covering Letter - Submit a covering letter stating why you think you are a good fit for the role.

• Skills & Interests - Explain what skills /interests you have that would make you a valuable member of a VWB task force (2-4 people.)

Make sure you are as informed as possible on the places you will undertake training in, learning what you can of their culture, customs, and lifestyle, to give and gain respect. Most RTA Local Agents will have developed or had access to literature and other materials to help you in this regard. 

You must follow your own set of responsible travel best practices, leading by example. Review the Forums & Resources page for further guidance.

Once you have been accepted,  assignments have been agreed, and dates (normally a minimum period of 4-weeks have been agreed) do what you can to familiarise yourself with the materials you will be using.

You must follow your own set of responsible travel practices. These should focus on:

• Respecting local culture

• Conserving wildlife

• Protecting the environment

• Empowering the RTA businesses you visit.

Use the RTA Best Practices Database provided on your online profile to keep you on track.

The commission-based traditional model for tourism disenfranchises many existing and potential tourism SMEs, in all countries. Give some thought to those in your own 'local visitor-based economies' many of whom would benefit from representation under the RTA business model. Consider introducing them to it, even assisting them to join where you can.

Note*Compare benefits for each membership level in the table below. 

• Fees - To Track of the Tiger.

50% is allocated to hosting fees for the website and RTA members online presentations.
50% is allocated to marketing - which includes funding RTA Competition prizes.

• Donations - to  the VWB (Volunteers Without Borders Foundation)  our registered non-profit.

50% is allocated to subsidising VWB Volunteers to assist RTA Business Partners develop their business models, and design/upload their online presentations.
50% is allocated to providing business skills training and workshops for RTA Business Partners aimed at improving their business , hospitality and service skills, as well as helping them to establish and meet their own stated responsible tourism best standard compliance. It extends to helping them (where practical) to identify and develop viable non-tourism reliant 2nd revenue streams.

• Fees - To Track of the Tiger - via the company PayPal account.

• Donations - to VWB - via the VWB - Join the Responsible Tourism Revolution Project on the Give.Asia Fundraising Platform.
  Using the Give.Asia platform allows us to minimise transaction costs for the benefit of VWB and our donors.
  VWB is a registered Foundation and will issue you a formal receipt that you (may) use to claim for an income tax rebate if eligible to do so.

RTA Business Partners publish their advertised rates - to the RTA Community - on their business profiles. Knowing that they are getting a 'fair' deal they are encouraged to consider making 'confidential' offers on a case by case basis, to you via the Local Agent. These offers may include: 

• Price Discounts - on their advertised rates at their discretion and based on the overall value of the booking to them.

• Upgrades - that have high perceived value and allow the RTA Business Partner to increase the incentive without a significant increase in their cost.

• Complimentary Services - additional incentives that again have a higher perceived value than their actual cost.

  

As the RTA business model is non-commission based, RTA Local Agents will secure quotes for Ambassadors from Business Partners using a time/cost-based calculation to determine their 'booking fees'. Their services include:

Communicating with RTA Ambassadors - Via the embedded email system and CGI forms in the 'communications & booking log' on your online profile.

• Negotiating the Best Deals - On accommodation, attractions, activities, courses, and workshops) for the RTA Ambassador, from each of the Business Partners detailed in their draft itinerary.

• Seeking Booking Incentives - For you from Business Partners - In discounts, upgrades, and complimentary services.   

• Securing You the Best Service - By having the RTA Business Partner accommodate the: Preferences, likes, dislikes as listed on the RTA Ambassadors profile.

• Hobbies & Interests - Sourcing activities in the destination, during your period of stay, to match those stated in your hobbies & interests database on your online profile.

• Community Service Opportunities - Organising CS activities as requested and provided by our non-profit organisation - VWB -to be included in your programme. 

Please explore the site. It will help you to determine where you might want to volunteer. The RTA Local Agents in those destinations will be able to advise where and how you may help based on your skill sets and availability.

• The VWB Volunteer- Your online presence across the platform - showcased through an interactive presentation (a multi-page website) that is 'user name' protected and allows you to hide or show information as you choose. 

• The RTA Local Agent - Has special password enabled access to your online profile, but no editing rights. Can access your personalised service, hobbies & interests & responsible tourism best practices databases, as well as your comment history, barter trade, etc., Can only access your profile when you are working with them.
• Security - All parties sign an agreement when you register protecting each other's data privacy. RTA agrees not to share your identifying information at any time. Access to it (less personal identifiers) will be given to approved RTA Development Partners who will use it for research projects and will make donations to VWB for the privilege. Personal detail (next of kin etc.,) would only be accessed by RTA HQ in an emergency.
• Design Freedom - The online presentation editors have a range of advanced multimedia features that allow you excellent design freedom within a standard template format that is easy to view and use.

In addition to the range of services and assistance offered to RTA Ambassadors, the RTA will offer the following - with variations from Local Agent to Local Agent.

• Visas & Work Permits.

• Accommodation.

• Transport (work only).

• Incidental Expenses.

Where they can afford to, RTA Business Partners may help compensate you by providing complementary services (meals/rooms, etc.,) where possible.

As an RTA Ambassador, the content and quality of the programmes you take can be enhanced by engaging the services of RTA Local Experts - selected for their in-depth local knowledge of the topics/subjects the programme is designed to cover. Many of them may need your help in putting their business models, or online profiles together.

The RTA Competitions are designed to engage and reward the Membership for contributing its promotion. Competition Funding - 50% of the member's monthly fees paid to the RTA for marketing & development, and of that app. 50% are earmarked for RTA Competitions.

• Competitions Categories - : (1) Travel Quiz (2) Articles, (3) Blog posts, (4) Photography, (5) Video, (6) VWB Assignment Essays.
• Competition Entry Vouchers - You need a verified competition entry voucher to submit entries to competitions in any year.
•  They are awarded based on your membership level Bronze = 0, Silver – 1, Gold = 2. Platinum = 3.
• Draw dates - Each competition is drawn, one week after the RTA Barter Dollar 1’000.- 'prize money funding figure' determined for it has been reached. 
• Notification - One week before the draw date, the RTA Membership will be notified of the upcoming competition by email and invited to enter competitions. 
• Scoring - RTA members vote on what they think are the best competition entries. The entry with the highest number of votes will be declared the winner of that competition.
• Payment - Payment in RTA Barter Dollars is made into the winning member’s RTA Trade Account – a part of their online profile.

Note* The number of competitions you may enter content for each year is dictated by your membership level. Bronze = 0, Silver – 1, Gold = 2. Platinum = 3.

Is an optional (value added) feature for RTA Business Partners may sign up for or not.
It allows them to accept RTA Barter Dollars won in competitions by RTA Members, to purchase the products and services offered in barter trade at ‘advertised rates’ by the Business Partners. 
It allows the RTA Business Partner to sell additional inventory to:

• Gain additionl exposure for their products or services from those RTA Ambassadors who have RTA Barter Dollars won in competition.

• Benefit from selling inventory at the advertised rate. 

• Use RTA Barter Dollars accepted to pay for RTA  Search Panel (Pay per Click) Advertising. 
• Use RTA to pay for monthly membership fees (50% limit.)

RTA Barter Trading

Step 1. - The RTA Community Members enters & wins RTA Barter Dollars (in a voucher format) in RTA Competiitions. They are deposited in his or her RTA Barter Trade account on their online presentation.

Step 2. - When planning a holiday he or she looks for RTA Business Partners offering 'products and services' in Barter Trade'. The RTA competition winner benefits from the value of the competition prize. The RTA Business Partner benefits from selling inventory at the full advertised rate.

Step 3. Once the RTA Member and the Business Partner (via the RTA Local Agent) have reached agreement on barter trade, and the rest of the Ambassador’s booking has been confirmed, he or she transfers the agreed number of RTA Barter Dollars to cover the trade agreed from his or her RTA Barter Trade account, to that of the RTA Local Agent.

Step 4. - On paying the Business Partner for the booking, the Local Agent pays for (transfers) the agreed value in RTA Barter Dollars (identified by reference number) ito the account of the RTA Business Partner.

• Forums - An information exchange between the RTA Community Members covering a range of topics.

• Resources -A forum for sharing resources that would be of benefit to those in the wider RTA Community.

On registering you must decide on your preferred membership level - bronze, silver, gold, platinum - determined by the costs vs benefits for each as explained - under costs above. Your registration will be confirmed by email once approved. You payment of membership fees will only commence when you make your first booking. However, we would really appreciate it if you made a one-off donation to VWB to help us fund volunteer and training costs. 

• Your Registration Data - Standard information that will assist us in providing you with a high standard of personalised service, and an equitable deal for your travel experiences.

• Your Online Presentation Data - The additional information that you enter, using the online editor, covering more detailed information on your business. The registration form also includes the following agreements for your electronic signature.

• Using the Online Editor - Your registration will be confirmed by email once payment has been received. You will be sent a unique ID and password that allows you to manage the content and imagery on your profile yourself, as well as to provide authentication for access to forums, guest comments, competitions, etc. Assistance is available if needed, from VWB Volunteers who can be organized by the RTA Local Agent.

• The RTA General Business Agreement - Our assurance that we will not use your data (designated private, shared internally, or public) for any reason other than stipulated without your written consent. You are required to respect our intellectual property rights and to agree to fulfil your role as an RTA Ambassador to the best of your ability.

• RTA Development Partners Data Research Agreement - Authorising us to allow selected RTA Development Partners (university or tourism organisation research groups) access to your information (less your personal or identifying information) to study the responsible tourism industry and the RTA’s role in it. Details of the survey questions would be mailed to you on a case by case basis allowing you to decline participation if you so choose. Bear in mind, we offer this service to RTA Development Partner research groups in exchange for an agreed donation made to Volunteers Without Borders Foundation which is used to fund development projects.

• For volunteer assignments, contact the Local Agent using the communications and booking log on your online profile, and sharing access to your profile with him or her.

• When using the Vertical search in your Ambassador role, proceed as follows:

Step 1. Select Search Type Option.

Step 2. Select the specific region that you are interested in followed by the province or city.

Step 3. Select the category of product or service you are interested in, and the sub-category where relevant.

Step 4. Select the price/market category - (all, budget, tourist, first class.)

Step 5. Select the accessibility criteria.

Step 6. Enter keyword search if needed.

Step 7. Click search to review the refined search results pages (numbers on your shortlist and indicated by the search counter at the bottom of the search fields.)

Step 8. Use the service standard score, or best practice compliance score settings to further refine your search of results listed in order of membership level (bronze, silver, gold, platinum.)

Step 1. You conduct your search and research as described above and then use the communications & booking log on your profile page to submit either an enquiry or your proposed itinerary & timeline on the CGI form provided - to the RTA Local Agent in the destination you are visiting.
Note* We suggest that you include a couple of options for things like accommodation so that you may compare offers made.

Step 2. The RTA Local Agent reviews your itinerary and provides you with a provisional estimate of his or her fees (based on the estimated number of hours/costs involved in putting it together.) He or she agrees to come back to you for approval and with an explanation if that fee estimate changes during the enquiry/booking process.

Step 3. Once you confirm he or she should proceed, the RTA Local Agent contacts the various RTA Business Partners involved in your booking, checking availability, pricing, incentives, ability to meet your stated likes, dislikes, preferences.

Step 4. The RTA Local Agent and reviews your Hobbies & Interests database, (on your profile) to see what matched he can make in his destination, during your visit. 

Step 5. The RTA Local Agent then sends you his or her cost itemised proposal (using the same CGI form). You exchange responses using this same form until you both confirm the services and charges, at which point payment options are agreed the formal quotation is issued - including the requirements for payment of a deposit and the balance.

Note:  All exchanges are conducted using the CGI form in an embedded email system on your profile page. You receive notification of their arrival by email. Emails are time-stamped as part of our service standard monitoring programme.

Verified Guest Comments - Use your booking reference number to submit a CGI based form for upload your comments and score related to (a) service standard, (b) compliance with their stated best practices to the comment section on a specific RTA Business Partner's online profile. 
On doing so you will be invited to tick a 'positive comment' box - in which case the comment will be uploaded automatically, or a 'negative comment' box - in which case the RTA Business Partner will be copied on it so that their response, if any, may be uploaded along with your comment.

Travel Articles, Video, Photography - You have taken on or offsite whilst visiting them can be copied to (a) the individual RTA Business Partner, (b) the RTA Local Agent, (c) submitted to the appropriate RTA competition (from your gallery) - to promote the individual RTA Business Partner and the Tourist Route they are located along.

You may also win the competition you enter earning yourself valuable RTA Barter Dollars - to be used on your next booking.

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