Destinations at Risk: THE AMAZON
November 26, 2008
Toronto, Canada — The travel experts at Butterfield & Robinson have targeted the Amazon for the second trip in their new series, Destinations at Risk (DAR). The February 2009 expedition will explore the natural wonders of the river—the world’s largest by volume—as well as the mounting environmental risks it faces. Read more >> Read More →
Member Press ReleasesThomson Safaris goes solar
November 25, 2008
Company office to be powered by solar energy Boston, Mass. – Thomson Safaris has recently embraced solar energy to provide power for its US office. A glinting array of 110 solar panels is being installed over the roof of the award-winning safari company’s headquarters, which is located in a historic building in Watertown, Massachusetts. Eventually, the solar panels will produce up to 2,500 kilowatt hours per month, providing up to a third of the office’s electrical usage. The panels will also provide energy for Thomson’s adjoining sister company, Thomson Family Adventures. “We have a personal interest in alternative energy,” said the company’s co-founder and director, Rick Thomson. “We feel fortunate to be able to do this and to help in some small way in reducing emissions.” The solar panels are part of Thomson Safaris’ efforts not only to make their safaris and operations in Tanzania eco-friendly but also their home base. Earlier... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesNorte Trekking Expeditions
November 24, 2008
Organization Mission/Purpose Tour operator specialized in tailor made programs in small groups. Products and/or Services 4×4 tour expeditions over the high Andean deserts combining or not with hiking, trekking or mountaniering. Primary Market/s-Audiences Served 30 to 60 years old. Read More →
ATTA Press Releases2008 Adventure Industry Research Report Analyzes, Reveals Global Trends
November 21, 2008
(SANTA FE, NM) – November 20, 2008 – Xola Consulting, Inc., in collaboration with the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), today released its 2008 Adventure Industry Research Roundup, the only comprehensive tourism industry research report dedicated specifically to adventure travel. ‘Adventure travel’ is generally defined by industry leaders today to include a mix of adrenaline sports such as whitewater rafting, softer nature experiences such as birdwatching, and cultural engagement and learning. Featuring trend information and in-depth analyses about the countries, consumers and industry players engaged in adventure travel, the report covers a wide range of subjects from operations to marketing. It also provides statistical data to support business planning and decision-making for adventure companies, policy makers, destination marketers, and media. For adventure tour operators, global and regional trends in activities, destinations, services and consumer behavior are discussed... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE NAMES ROB GAUNTLETT AND JAMES HOOPER 2008 ADVENTURERS OF THE YEAR
November 20, 2008
Explorer Rick Ridgeway Receives Hall of Fame Award WASHINGTON (Nov. 20, 2008)—National Geographic Adventure magazine has chosen British schoolmates Rob Gauntlett, 21, and James Hooper, 21, as 2008 Adventurers of the Year in recognition of their epic 394-day, 26,000-mile madcap dash from the north geomagnetic pole to the south geomagnetic pole using only human and natural power. Skiing, dog-sledding, cycling and sailing their way from northern Greenland to the Antarctic’s Southern Ocean in one continuous run, the pair completed the first-of-its-kind pole-to-pole journey in an effort to raise climate change awareness and to inspire the human spirit. National Geographic Adventure also is honoring mountaineer and conservation champion Rick Ridgeway with a Best of Adventure Hall of Fame award. Ridgeway, a writer, filmmaker and one of the best known American explorers, is being recognized for a life lived adventurously and for spearheading the Freedom to Roam project, a bold initiative backed... Read More →
ATTA Press ReleasesQuébec Province Wins Bid to Host ATTA’s 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit
November 20, 2008
Marketing, Networking & Best Practices to Drive the 2009 Summit Agenda (SEATTLE) – Canada’s Québec province will host the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s mid-October 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), a trade only, marketing, networking and best practices conference. Extending its reach into South America and Europe in 2008, the ATTA, now a nearly 500-member trade group representing 51 countries, returns to its North American roots in 2009 after a six month bidding process. With the ATTA’s foundation and largest membership base is in North America, it will continue to maximize its strength on this continent by connecting it with the global market and vice versa. ATTA’s trade-only conference venue and date will be announced in December 2008. ATTA made its destination host choice shortly after its 2008 adventure travel trade conferences in Brazil and Norway which attracted a total of nearly 1,000 delegates. For 2009, Québec won the bid for the estimated 600-delegate... Read More →
ATTA Press ReleasesOnline Travel & Sustainable Tourism Veterans Join ATTA Advisory Board
November 19, 2008
(SEATTLE) – (November 19, 2008) – Orbitz Worldwide executive Eric Brodnax and international tour operator and sustainable tourism advocate Alfredo Ferreyros join the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) as its newest Advisory Board members. Continuing to build a diverse composition of active, strategic advisors, the ATTA added sector specialists to fully represent the breadth of its membership. Brodnax was selected primarily for his management and internet expertise, while Ferreyros brings in-depth international experience, including more than three decades of innovative work in the area of sustainable tourism and community-based tourism development. Brodnax is a Vice President with Orbitz Woldwide where he serves as General Manager of Away.com & Outside Online. He joined Away as part of the founding management team in April of 1999, was senior vice president of marketing and operations during the company’s formative years, and assumed his current role after Orbitz’s acquisition... Read More →
Media BuzzS7 AIRLINES, AIR BERLIN AND NIKI ANNOUNCE NEW INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
November 15, 2008
S7 Airlines, Russia’s largest domestic carrier, today announced a major expansion of its European network through code-share agreements with Air Berlin, one of Europe’s fastest growing airlines, and Austria’s NIKI, the airline of former Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda. Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest carrier, and its partner NIKI, signed the agreement in Moscow today (October 16, 2008). It provides for the sharing of existing services, subject to official approval, on the following routes: Moscow-Frankfurt-am-Main (1), Moscow-Düsseldorf (2), Moscow-Munich (3), Moscow-Hanover (4) and Moscow-Vienna (5). The agreements will allow all three airlines to significantly expand the services they offer their passengers. The three carriers plan to offer unrestricted sales of tickets for each other’s flights. For instance, S7 Airlines and Air Berlin will be able to offer up to seven flights to Germany a day depending on the destination. S7 Airlines’ passengers will be able to book tickets... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesWHEN TIMES GET TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING…OUTDOORS!
November 15, 2008
ADVENTURE CENTRAL REPORTS RECORD INCREASES IN TRAVELER RESERVATIONS AND REVENUE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER. DENVER – While industry insiders point to a slowdown in mainstream travel, reports also conclude that consumers are still looking to escape— frequently closer to home, by taking advantage of the natural resources around them. Recent industry research indicates a significant increase in travelers visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities. Adventure Central, the leading provider of distribution and online booking services for the adventure and experiential travel industry, supports these findings. Adventure Central has powered more than 60,000 reservations representing more than 260,000 travelers so far this year, with supplier revenues increasing nearly 50% compared with the same period in 2007. Nearly half of that volume was transacted in the third quarter. The majority of growth resulted directly from increased supplier and affiliate distribution relationships... Read More →
Media BuzzAlaska HDTV Announces Travel Partner Explore Tours
November 15, 2008
Anchorage, AK – Alaska HDTV and Explore Tours are now working together to help deliver even better shows in more places around Alaska and beyond. Perfect Blend Media, LLC and Explore Tours have signed an agreement to work together to market Alaska travel options for the independent traveller through Alaska HDTV’s global video distribution channels. This relationship will further extend the Alaska travel message to millions of highly targeted viewers all around the world. Alaska HDTV is now delivering Alaska travel video, adventures and local stories to more than 200,000 viewers on a monthly basis – and that’s just from our core online audience. Through our other channels of distribution we can easily reach millions of viewers every month. Working with Explore Tours we can now offer our viewers a viable, credible and exciting travel planning solution as they make their plans to travel in Alaska. About Alaska HDTV Alaska HDTV is product of Perfect Blend Media, LLC... Read More →
