Humanitarian and social causes

The social commitment of Transat and its employees is becoming stronger every year. In 2007, we allocated more than $750,000 to philanthropy projects carried out by various organizations working in the field. In addition to sustainable tourism and tourism research, our community-based philanthropic actions have focused on social and humanitarian aid, health care and the environment.

With Transat’s support, a number of our employees also give time and money to causes that matter to them: collecting non-perishable items for food banks; collecting clothes and other items to send to disadvantaged communities; cleaning up shorelines and other fragile ecosystems; participating in sports fundraisers for health or environmental research, etc.

Following is an overview of the social and humanitarian causes we support in countries of origin and tourist destinations.

SOS Children's Villages

Transat has partnered with the international humanitarian organization SOS Children’s Villages to contribute to the well-being of children in its destination countries, where very often even their most basic needs are not met. Present in 132 countries, SOS Children’s Villages has been working on behalf of orphaned and abandoned children for more than 60 years, and cares for over 70,000 children in 500 SOS Villages. The organization’s programs are serving over 700,000 children, and endeavour to respond to children’s primary needs in terms of healthcare, professional training and personal guidance.

With the help of its customers and employees, Transat will, in particular, provide significant financial support to this organization that gives disadvantaged children a warm, affectionate, secure and permanent family environment. Transat is collaborating with SOS Children’s Villages in Canada (SOS Children’s Villages Canada), in France (SOS Villages d’Enfants France), and in the United Kingdom (SOS Children’s Villages UK), Transat’s main source markets.

Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada

The partnership between the Children’s Wish Foundation and Air Transat has allowed more than 200 children with life-threatening illnesses to go on a dream trip. Through its “Change for Kids” program, which encourages returning travellers to donate their change (in Canadian or foreign currency), Air Transat raised some $895,000 in 2007. Since its inception in 2004, the program has raised close to $3 million—thanks, in no small part, to the involvement of all company personnel.

Centraide of Greater Montreal

For a number of years, Transat and its employees have been firmly committed to helping Montreal’s most disadvantaged. Together, in 2007, they contributed a total of $184,000 to Centraide of Greater Montreal. The organization has been working hard since 1966 to combat poverty, and helps half a million people through the projects and organizations it supports.

Building of a school in Vietnam

Vacances Transat has partnered with the organization Les enfants du Mékong to build the Tinh Thuong school, located in Ho Chi Minh City, in southern Vietnam. The much-needed school is made up of two large classrooms (approximately 70 m² each), a multi-purpose room, a kitchen and cafeteria, spread over three levels. It will serve 200 students, aged 6 to 16, many of whom are street youth. The project enlists the support of our French tour operator’s customers who travel to Vietnam.

To find out more about our philanthropic support in sustainable tourism, consult the Community support section.