TORONTO — Tourism Cares has expanded its membership categories to allow individual travel professionals to join.

The non-profit has been around for nearly 20 years, uniting the travel industry and mobilizing it to create needed change. Tourism Cares has furthered not only sustainability goals, but direct economic benefits for communities around the world.

The organization has also rebranded. and developed a new logo to complement its renewed positioning.

Tourism Cares’ decision to expand its membership categories to allow individual travel professionals to join dovetails with its role as a catalyst for cross-sector cooperation within the travel industry, says chairwoman Robin Tauck.

“It’s a powerful new direction. We know that a large population of travel professionals are fueled by their passion to work in this industry and by the opportunity to use their work to make a positive change in the world. By uniting this great industry around sustainability, we deliver on a collective mission for meaningful and responsible action by corporations, foundations, businesses, and individuals. We welcome all to join us,” says Tauck.

Travel professionals can join Tourism Cares by making an annual US$99 donation, which provides access to education platforms, professional development, consulting, and registration to Tourism Cares signature programs. More information is at tourismcares.org/professional-membership.

Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara says the organization’s focus on sustainability has expanded from assembling volunteer opportunities domestically to include models for global involvement and investment in social and environmental impact organizations.

“As a result, we launch and participate in initiatives that support meaningful and responsible practices while also providing direct economic benefits, through tourism, for local communities around the world. In addition to fostering collaboration, we provide tools and resources that are creating the foundation for new models of tourism,” says Takehara.

He adds: “Our legacy has evolved to create positive social, environmental, and economic impact for the people and places of travel. Our updated branding reflects a refreshed vision for the future and a renewed and strengthened commitment to come together as a global community.”

For more information see tourismcares.org.