Excel Travel and CSR outing day features CSR, teambuilding and fun

Excel Travel, one of Egypt's top destination management and travel agencies, is among those companies, which have made CSR a part of their corporate identity.

Corporate social responsibility is simply the company's obligation to achieve sustainable development on economical, social and environmental levels for everyone involved.

It all started when Excel Travel's MICE department repeatedly received requests from its international clientele asking for the implementation of social projects and activities, which would leave a positive impact on the local communities, into their existing incentive programs.

The MICE department, headed by Mrs. Laila Imam, at once recognized the tremendous benefits of the concept, that would secure business, enhance the company's ethics, and the staff's spirits. Experts in the field of motivation, the MICE team innovatively put the plan into practice by creating awareness of the CSR concept throughout the company.

Finally Excel Travel's outing day scheduled on August 23 offered a perfect occasion to pass on the importance of CSR and Excel Travel's commitment to give back to community and to invest in its employees to all of the staff members throughout the different departments. Hence, the outing day featured CSR, teambuilding and some fun.

Seventy Excel Travel employees started the day in good spirit. The first and challenging stop was the non-governmental Association for the Protection of Environment (APE) located in Manshiet Nasser at the foot of the Muqattam Hills and home to 30000 residents, known as the garbage collectors, the zebbalin.

APE representatives, Hanan and Adel, gave a brief overlook of the different projects and an in-depth presentation of their exceptional recycling skills.

Enthusiastically, they answered the many questions with keen insight. Hanan explained:

"The living conditions are very poor in Manshiet Nasser, people live on the fringe of society. We as an NGO want to send out the message, that recycling is a respectable job and an important industry. We are proud of our work. We provide notably the women and young girls with the tools to better their living conditions by fighting illiteracy, which is still high here, we run awareness programs and provide vocational training."

In workshops, paper is recycled and transformed into awesome recycling products. Natural ingredients like leaves of flowers and trees from the garden add color and texture. A final touch and some embroidery and the artwork is ready and can be sold in the in-house bazaar or to fair trade shops in Cairo and abroad. In other workshops women meticulously design colorful patchwork and beautiful woven rugs and throws of all sizes.

Excel staff had collected a donation prior to the visit, which was handed over by Vice-president Mrs. Amani Fouad. Mrs Fouad was very impressed:

"APE is a community project that we fully support. We will encourage the individuals in the company to participate voluntarily. I am in contact with one of the founders and we are in discussion about different options. But as a start we will definitely offer these wonderful recycle products as pillow gifts for our MICE clients."

Meanwhile the Mice team had arranged for an outstanding teambuilding activity in Saqqara.

The outdoor activity focused on team spirit and trust. Equipped with enthusiasm and comfortable shoes the large Excel group was divided into different teams, each group had to solve certain tasks. The MICE field coordinators Adel, Bishoy, Fouad, Mohamed, Rania and Rehab had thoughtfully laid out traps that could only be dissolved through cooperation. By the end of the game, competition became secondary and in combined efforts, the entire Excel staff erected a tent that would stand as a symbol for Excel Travel's internal maxim: One Team - One Company.

In recognition of the superb performance of Excel Travel acting as one team Bichoy Anwar had used his excellent contacts and arranged for raffle with prizes ranging from Dinner for Two to 3 nights accommodation.

It was a terrific moment watching the sparkle in the eyes of the winner, once the name was announced and the gift certificate was received under the applause of all colleagues.

George Fawzi, president of Excel Travel said:

"Excel Travel considers corporate social responsibility to be more than just a buzzword. Corporate social responsibility is a holistic approach. There is not one winner, everyone is a winner."

Excel Travel would like to express its appreciation to the sponsors of the raffle gifts:

- Microsoft - Pepsico - Abu Sid Restaurants - Carvery Restaurant - Oberoi Restaurants - Sakkara Country Club - Four Seasons - Grand Rotana - JW Marriott - Intercontinental City Stars - Intercontinental Semiramis - Novotel Sharm el Sheikh - Ritz Carlton - Stella di Mare.