Q&A  DAVID JOHNSTONE

Founder, CharitableBookings.com

David Johnstone started his career in hotel management before founding a concierge business, running the private online members’ ‘The Renaissance Club’ and launching Key-2-Luxury, a corporate gifting concept. One of his most notable achievements is The Global Party, the largest private party in the world, which started with 80 parties in 80 cities in 2011 in aid of over 80 charities. By 2017, the event had transcended to over 263 cities, resulting in £4 million being raised for charities. 

Inspired by this success he created CharitableBookings.com  as a continuous fundraising platform and is revolutionising the way people can give back through premium lifestyle memberships with donations starting at just £20.

CharitableBookings.com’s process is straightforward and free, making it easy for anyone to participate. Premium members enjoy access to over 500,000 hotels in 200 global cities at an average of 10% lower cost than competing travel sites. Additionally, members benefit from VIP privileges at hotels, restaurants, spas, pubs, bars, luxury boutiques, and entry into monthly luxury prize draws, with experiences ranging from £100 to over £25,000. 

CharitableBookings.com recently launched ‘The £1 billion Global Pledge’, a fundraiser which underscores the platform's commitment to placing charities at the forefront of every booking. Over the next decade, CharitableBookings.com aims to raise £1 billion, delivering crucial funds to individual charities that may lack the reach or visibility to significantly enhance their profiles and incomes. By simply uploading proof of a donation of £20 or more to www.charitablebookings.com, participants receive a one-year Premium membership worth £100. For donations of £50 or more, donors are rewarded with a Premium Lifetime membership valued at £360.

Tell us more about CharitableBookings.com
CharitableBookings.com is a business with a social purpose at its heart. Through our online platform, you can help raise £1 billion for charity. Simply by uploading proof of your recent £20 donation to your favourite charity through www.charitablebookings.com and in return you receive a one-year Premium membership worth £100. Upload proof of a £50 donation, you will receive a Premium Lifetime membership worth £360. Both memberships offer exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits. Your donation is made directly to the charity, and charities that benefit include everywhere from local UK hospices to medical institutions.
Privileges offered by CharitableBookings.com include over 500,000 hotels bookable at an average 10% lower cost than through a competing travel site. As well as access to wholesale travel rates, Premium membership offers VIP benefits through hotels, restaurants, spas, pubs and bars, and luxury boutiques, and entry into a monthly prize draw with experiences worth from £100 to over £25,000.

I saw the impact first hand of giving back and knew that we could find a way to make charitable giving fun and easy. Everyone has a cause close to their heart, and the charities deserve to receive unrestricted funds. 

We are delighted to support amazing charities doing important, powerful work like the Buffalo Foundation, Vibe, and Suicide & Co. That is by far the best part and what I am most proud of.

Our journey began with THE GLOBAL PARTY campaign, a launch event that brought together over 500,000 VIP guests at 1,200+ of the world's most prestigious venues across 263 cities in 80+ countries. This unique campaign became the world's largest private party, directly benefiting hundreds of charitable causes. Building on this success, we have embarked on our next chapter, THE GLOBAL PLEDGE £1bn Travel Fundraiser. To date, our campaigns have raised over £4m directly for charity, the first step to our £1bn Mission.

We wanted to set a goal that would have huge impact, and inspire partners and supporters to get involved, while giving back to as many charities as possible. 

It's a win-win. We know that giving back is hugely rewarding not only for the charity receiving much needed funds, but also for the individual who donates. CharitableBookings.com takes it one step further but giving a Premium membership with access to wholesale travel, and luxury lifestyle privileges when you donate £20 to your charity of choice.   

It's ability to inspire and invigorate you. Whether it's swimming in pristine waters and exploring coral reefs, or hiking the great outdoors, my favourite travel experiences typically involve time in nature.

I couldn't possibly pick one, but do love the Rosewood Hotels, and greatly enjoyed throwing a very memorable event for The Global Party at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London.

It's the small touches - when the team are able to remember your preferences, or go that extra mile to make you feel at home. 

It's hard to pick one - but the highlands of Scotland, 'into the wild' if you will, are very special, and at the opposite end (geographically and surroundings wise) the Maldives were nothing short of spectacular. 

I love escapes off the beaten track, anywhere where you feel like you have discovered your own private paradise. With a family in tow, I would love to explore more of Africa and perhaps a safari at some point in the future. 

My beautiful wife and our two gorgeous children. I'd find it hard to go on holiday without them. At a far second I would say, and our dogs!

Steve Jobs has done a huge amount in the technology sector obviously which fascinates me, but it has really been his philanthropic impact, and his efforts in eradicating malaria that inspire me. 

Comfortable shoes! It's a sensible choice but the best exploration of new places has to be done on foot.

Time of course. Time with your family and friends is always the most important luxury...

Luxury Links:  www.charitabledonations.com