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.
Thomson 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 in 2008, Rick Thomson, a one-time safari mechanic, converted an automobile’s fuel system into using exclusively electric power. Thomson now regularly drives the electric vehicle to work.
“We all need to learn to exercise conservation and consider the impact of our actions,” said Thomson. “It is not just about a particular frog, or fish or bird and a certain habitat; it is about the whole ecosystem of the planet being in jeopardy.”
For Thomson Safaris, solar energy is nothing new. In fact, the US office is only following the lead of other solar initiatives it had started in East Africa years ago. For example, all of Thomson Safaris eco-friendly camps, which are located at some of the most famous national parks in the world, use solar panels to provide lighting. Gibb’s Farm, one of the luxury eco-lodges at which Thomson travelers regularly stay, has one of the largest solar panel arrays in Tanzania. The company recognizes that these are all small efforts that hopefully add up to help preserve both Tanzania’s pristine habitats and the environment around its US home base.
Thomson Safaris
Our Home. Your Adventure.
Thomson Safaris offers safari adventures, Kilimanjaro treks, and cultural experiences for both the solo intrepid traveler and the whole family alike. Winning the Humanitarian of the Year and Tour Operator of the Year awards from the Tanzania Tourist Board, Thomson Safaris strives to be a leader in community-based travel and sustainable tourism. In 2008, National Geographic Adventure gave Thomson Safaris one of its top ratings for the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth, and Condé Nast recognized the company as a finalist for its World Savers Awards.
Norte 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.
2008 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 in detail. For example, significant growth is reflected in:
- Tours that offer biking, diving, sailing, surfing, expedition cruising;
- Service offerings including more specific focus on individual consumer interests;
- Unexpected luxury in remote, exotic locations;
- Emphasis on personal growth; and
- “Front-country” recreation — areas relatively close to home where busy people can enjoy outdoor activities after work.
In addition to sections on Global, Regional and Traveler trends, the 2008 report also provides analyses on Supply Chain Trends, Destination Rankings, Travel Media, and Top U.S. Adventure Company News. It examines the industry in light of recent global financial market upheavals and discusses emerging trends in destination development and monitoring.
“The Adventure Industry Research Report presents a comprehensive overview and understanding of today’s dynamic adventure travel industry,” said Bryan Kinkade, Director, Travel and Tourism, National Geographic Adventure magazine. “Drawing from a great mix of proprietary research and industry data and analysis, this valuable resource taps into the pulse of adventure travel and offers information we frequently use.”
In November 2008, the following six supplementary sections to the 2008 report will also be available, providing additional in-depth examination of emerging issues relevant to the adventure travel industry:
- Tourism, Climate Change and Sustainability
- An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Tourism, Mining and Agriculture
- Chinese Tourism Market Trends
- U.S. Tourism Market Trends
- The Global Economy and the Tourism Industry
- Recent Trends in Tourism Financial Flows
A free copy of the executive summary is available at www.xolaconsulting.com/industry-research.php. Adventure Travel Trade Association members may purchase the full report at a discount from the Adventure Travel Trade Association website at www.adventuretravel.biz or by calling 1-866-411-3131.
For more information about the 2008 Adventure Industry Research Roundup or other Xola research, contact Christina Heyniger at Christina@xolaconsulting.com.
About Xola Consulting
Xola Consulting, Inc. (www.xolaconsulting.com) is a consulting and research services firm assisting tour operators, tourism boards and non-profit organizations with sustainable adventure tourism destination and product development, marketing and research. Xola also supports Off the Radar (www.travelofftheradar.com) a newsletter and website providing travelers with information about the best entrepreneurial adventure operators around the world – those who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel; and who believe in incorporating the local people and traditions of the places where they operate.
About the Adventure Travel Trade Association
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide. ATTA Members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, travel agents/agencies, guides, lodges/resorts/attractions, media, and service providers. Host of the ATWS, the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost saving resources to its members.
Media Contacts:
Xola: Christina Heyniger at Christina@xolaconsulting.com
ATTA: Mr. Shannon Stowell, 360.805.3131 shannon@adventure.travel
NATIONAL 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 by Patagonia that aims to protect big wildlife by preserving hundreds of miles of undisturbed, interconnected migratory corridors across North America.
The achievements of Gauntlett, Hooper, Ridgeway and 12 other adventurers are highlighted in the December 2008/January 2009 issue of National Geographic Adventure (on newsstands Nov. 25), which features the most outstanding accomplishments for 2008 in the world of adventure, exploration, conservation and humanitarian work.
Andrew Skurka, named 2007 Adventurer of the Year for his seven-month, 6,875-mile hike through the American West, will present the 2008 award to Gauntlett and Hooper on Thursday, Nov. 20, at a gala event at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. The evening will be emceed by National Geographic’s Boyd Matson, host of the public television series “Wild Chronicles” and “National Geographic Weekend” radio program.
National Geographic Adventure organized a group of leaders in the world of adventure to serve on its advisory board for the nomination of this year’s top adventurers. Others recognized for their exceptional accomplishments are Gretchen Bleiler, François Bon, Ashley Clements, Maroy Correa Estenós, Deia Schlosberg, Pemba Gyalje Sherpa, Benjamin Skinner, Kelly Slater, George Steinmetz, Sam Stime, Emma Stokes and Gregg Treinish.
“National Geographic Adventure is the ultimate guide to an active lifestyle. The heritage and credibility that we deliver inspires our readers to explore the world around them by immersing themselves in activities that will provide experiences for a life well lived. At the Adventurer of the Year event we recognize and honor those individuals who have made terrific achievements in 2008, as well as the gear, apparel and equipment that are at the leading edge of the outdoor world,” said National Geographic Adventure Associate Publisher Peter Fisher.
Awards for Best of Adventure gear also will be recognized at the ceremony. National Geographic Adventure’s approach to its gear picks differs from other magazines in that it is guided by a Retail Advisory Board composed of 34 of the country’s leading outdoor retailers, who help nominate award winners. The board’s contribution is twofold: to weigh in on products that in its expert opinion are innovative, and to report on what products consumers are particularly excited about in the marketplace.
The 29 gear winners are Adidas Supernova Riot GTX trail running shoe; Apple iPod Nano; Asus U6 V bamboo series laptop; Black Diamond Enforcer gloves; Canon PowerShot G10 camera; Columbia Rapidfire Windshell jacket; Crank Brothers Cobalt mountain bike wheelset; Garmin Oregon 400t handheld GPS; Gerber Kick Axe hatchet; Gregory Miwok daypack; Hi-Tec V-Lite Hornet HPi hiking boot; Kor One water bottle; Marmot Mica jacket; MSR Carbon Reflex 2 tent; New Balance 904 running shoe; Nokia Mini Speakers MD-8; Osprey Exos 58 backpack; Perception Tribute 14.0 SL kayak; Polar FT80 training computer; REI Halo 25 sleeping bag; Salt Optics Nicolas sunglasses; Scott Genius Limited mountain bike; Snow Peak LiteMax stove; Sony T700 camera; Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 cell phone; Sutro Vision Czech sunglasses; Suunto X10 wrist-top computer; Tag Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS 2 Chronograph Ti2 watch; The North Face Mercurial jacket.
Presented by National Geographic Adventure magazine and South African Tourism, the Adventurer of the Year celebration will include video clips from the winners’ adventures, as well as music, food and entertainment. Raffle prizes include a trip for two to South Africa, courtesy of South African Airways and Intrepid Travel, and many items from the best gear of the year. Additional sponsors of the event are Crown Imports, GU, Headsweats, KHS Bicycles, Nature Valley, Oakley, Petzl, Redwood Creek, Salomon, Silver Joe’s Coffee, Smartwool and Yaktrax.
About National Geographic Adventure
National Geographic Adventure, winner of four National Magazine Awards, is the fastest-growing magazine in the outdoor category and the ultimate guide to the adventure lifestyle. Published 10 times a year, with a rate base of 600,000, National Geographic Adventure has 2.4 million readers. It is available by subscription (800-NGS-LINE) and on newsstands in the United States ($4.99) and Canada ($6.99). Its editorial mission supports National Geographic’s corporate global mission to inspire people to care about the planet. The magazine’s Web site is www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure.
About South African Tourism
South African Tourism is the organization mandated with the international tourism marketing activities of the country. For travel and tourism information on this world-class destination, the ideal place for both business and leisure, contact South African Tourism at 500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2040, New York, N.Y., 10110; Tel: (212) 730-2929; Fax (212) 764-1980; emailnewyork@southafrica.net; or visit www.southafrica.net.
Québec 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
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 gathering primarily because of its active involvement in the ATTA for more than two years, a strong on-the-ground association partner in Aventure Ecotourisme Québec (AEQ), its world-class conference venue options, and access to compelling nature-based and cultural adventure travel product, including its Northernmost territory of Nunavik. Its geographic location also served as a tremendous advantage as it will enable the ATTA to make its Summit more accessible than ever before to adventure travel professionals on the East Coast of Canada and the U.S. In addition to financial sponsorship, Québec’s proposal also included substantial commitment to cooperative marketing efforts, discounts with accommodations, air transport and adventure tour options for Summit delegates.
“Québec clearly recognizes the value of serving as host to the Adventure Travel World Summit, as it brings to the province a large contingent of travel industry influencers and media,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “When it comes to promotion and tourism strategies, Tourisme Québec understands that by assembling the global adventure travel community it is more strongly positioned as an adventure travel destination, and it gives the province a powerful opportunity to showcase its adventure travel product to the media and potential buyers.”
Previous venues have included Seattle (2005-2006), Whistler, B.C., Canada (2007), Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008), and Norway (2008). ATWS events engage, enlighten, inspire, and energize the leaders of the adventure travel community with executive-level networking, business and professional development programs, educational seminars and emerging adventure destination product review opportunities. With the ATWS, the ATTA and its Summit delegates influence the manner in which adventure travel is introduced, executed and sustained in any given destination worldwide – encouraging the industry to adopt sustainability and best practices that give back to the people and places impacted by adventure travel.
Pursuing its strategy to host one World Summit annually, the ATTA will host its 2009 Summit in North America. In 2010 and beyond, the ATTA aims to host ATWS events outside North America in alternating years. Already well into the bidding process, the ATTA, once it has selected its 2010 host destination, will open the bidding process for its Adventure Travel World Summit events for 2011 (North America) and 2012 (outside North America).
Early Sponsors of the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit include Tourisme Québec, ExOfficio, W.L. Gore & Associates and Men’s Journal.
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide. ATTA Members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, travel agents/agencies, guides, lodges/resorts/attractions, media, and service providers. Host of the ATWS, the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost saving resources to its members.
Online 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 of the company in January of 2005. As general manager, Brodnax is responsible for setting the overall strategy and vision for the company including high-level editorial direction.
The president of Explorandes, Alfredo Enrique Ferreyros is a pioneering adventure and cultural tour operator in Peru and Ecuador with more than 30 years of experience spearheading eco-tourism in South America. His active participation in tourism associations in Peru has seen him serve as president of the Peruvian Adventure and Ecotourism Association (APTAE) three times. He was recently elected for and is serving his third term in 2008. Ferreyros’ interest in sustainable development and conservation led him to found several non-governmental organizations and serve as Executive Director of Conservation International-Peru for two years. At Explorandes, he has led the company through an Environmental Management System certified by ISO 14000, making Explorandes the first tour operator to achieve such certification in the Americas. In 2007 he won the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the ATTA.
Other adventure travel industry experts committed to support the ATTA and its efforts to grow and sustain the adventure travel industry include Advisory Board Members:
- Mike Adams, Product Specialist, W.L. Gore & Associates
- Richard Bangs, adventurer, entrepreneur, author, producer and director – Richard Bangs’ Adventures with Purpose
- Urs Eberhard, Executive VP Markets & MICE Switzerland Tourism
- Francis X. Farrell, Publisher, Men’s Journal Magazine
- Nicky Fitzgerald, Sales & Marketing Director, &Beyond (formerly CC Africa)
- Kurt Kutay, Founding Director and President of Wildland Adventures, Inc. and non-profit Travelers Conservation Trust
- Perry Lungmus, Director of Sales and Maketing, Travcoa
- Thornton May, Contributing Futurist, World Bank
- Helen Nodland, Founder Nodland Travel Enterprises, Chair of VAST, Virtuoso Travel Network
- Everett Potter, Author and Journalist, Contributing Editor, New York Times Syndicate, USA Today, Outside and others
- Gustavo Timo, Founder ABETA (Brazil Ecotourism and Adventure Association)
- Russell Walters, President, Northern Outdoors
Previous ATTA Advisory Board members whose terms have expired have earned ATTA Advisory Board Emeritus status:
- Rick Hemmerling, Vice President, BuzzOff™
- Megan McCormick, Host of PBS Television’s “Globe-Trekker” Series
- John Poimiroo, travel and tourism marketing communications consultant, Travel Editor of California Magazine, and former California State Tourism Director
- Steve Trautman, Principal, Solution Strategies, former Expedia.com executive
- Ed Viesturs, America’s leading high-altitude mountaineer, author of “Himalayan Quest”
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide. ATTA Members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, travel agents/agencies, guides, lodges/resorts/attractions, media, and service providers. Host of the ATWS, the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost saving resources to its members.
S7 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 directly with S7 to many cities in the flight network of Air Berlin and NIKI airlines.
Within the scope of the code-share agreement, the airlines have therefore agreed pro rata agreements on many routes. For example, passengers can now travel from Moscow via Munich to Palma de Majorca on just a single ticket.
This agreement is a significant stage in the development of all three airlines – S7 Airlines, Air Berlin and NIKI. All three airlines intend to deepen their relationship in other areas in the future.
Vladislav Filev, General Director S7 Airlines, said: “S7 Airlines has been looking for ways of efficient international development for a long time. Competition is high on international routes, and opening new international destinations for S7 is limited by bilateral agreements. Code-share cooperation with large international airlines yields a lot of opportunities for S7 Airlines in Europe. We have the most extensive domestic flights network in Russia and we are also ready to cooperate efficiently in Western Europe.”
“This partnership allows us to strengthen our Russian operations considerably and to offer our passengers a greater choice of routes and more frequent flights to and from Russia. S7 Airlines is a Russian carrier of high quality and with strong growth,” commented Air Berlin’s CEO Joachim Hunold.
“We are delighted that in S7 Airlines we have acquired one of the major international Russian airlines as a strong partner for our flights to and from Russia,” was the verdict of Niki Lauda, President of NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH.
Previously S7 Airlines and Air Berlin have agreed an interline agreement, allowing for seamless ticketing arrangements for passengers on both airlines.
(1) The flights are operated by S7 Airlines
(2) The flights are operated by S7 Airlines and Air Berlin
(3) The flights are operated by S7 Airlines and Air Berlin
(4) The flights are operated by S7 Airlines
(5) The flights are operated by NIKI
About S7 Airlines:
S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) has the largest domestic flight network in Russia thus being one of the world’s 50 biggest domestic airlines. In 2007 the company successfully underwent the new IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit), and became the second air carrier in Russia conforming to the strictest international requirements. S7 Airlines is one the most progressive airlines in Russia giving passengers new standards of service, based on the use of modern technology and proactively developing its business. S7 Airlines is the winner of the annual national award “People’s mark / Brand No 1 in Russia” in 2007.
About Air Berlin:
Air Berlin is the second largest German airline and the fourth largest airline in Europe. It was founded in 1978. Its route network includes major international cities and holiday destinations, as well as domestic flights within Germany. The attractive price-performance ratio appeals equally to those traveling on business and for pleasure. The airline has already won several awards on account of its high standard of service. Last year Air Berlin welcomed approximately 28 million passengers on board and achieved a turnover of 2.54 billion euros. The Air Berlin Group includes not only Air Berlin, but also the Austrian airline NIKI (24 %), the Swiss airline Belair (49 %), the Munich-based airline dba (100 %), and since March 2007 also the Düsseldorf-based airline LTU (100 %). The Air Berlin Group currently operates 128 aircraft and has more than 8,500 employees.
About NIKI:
Since NIKI was established in November 2003 the fleet of Airbus aircraft and the number of destinations have been steadily increasing. Air Berlin has had a 24% share of NIKI Luftfahrt
GmbH since the start of 2004 – the cooperation between Air Berlin and NIKI marked the first European low-cost airliner alliance. 2007 saw NIKI Luftfahrt making profit for the fourth time in succession – in fact, it was more than twice as high as the profit recorded in 2006. NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH has 350 employees. It carried around 1.7 million passengers in 2007. One Airbus A321 (212-seater), six Airbus of the type A320 (180-seaters) and two Airbus of the type A319 (150-seaters) currently fly for NIKI.
For additional information please refer to:
S7 Airlines
Phone: +7 (495) 926 47 70
Fax: +7 (495) 926 47 93
Email: presscenter@s7.ru, info@s7.ru
Internet website: www.s7.ru
Air Berlin
Phone: +49 30 34 34 15 00
Fax: +49 30 34 34 1509
Email: abpresse@airberlin.com
Internet website: www.airberlin.com
NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH
Phone: +43 170 126 445
Fax: +43 170 126 480
Email: presse@flyniki.com
Internet website: www.flyniki.com
WHEN 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 that have enabled the company to better serve the continued needs of travelers looking to find and securely book affordable, unique things to do.
“Even during a challenging economy, we found that demand for our activities in 2008 remained strong,” says Dick Schulte, CEO of Adventure Central. “It seems when consumer budgets are stretched, people still want to connect authentically with nature, family and friends.”
Hundreds of experiences are available for less than $100 on AdventureCentral.com, from skiing and snowshoeing in Massachusetts to guided like tours in California, from zip lining in Mexico to kayaking tours in Florida. These are just a small sample of the thousands of activities across the globe and in their own backyard that travelers can find, research and securely buy on AdventureCentral.com, or through dozens of affiliate and distribution partner sites powered by Adventure Central. Tour operators and suppliers who are looking to profitably reach more travelers in today’s market can get started online at AdventureCentral.com. It takes just a few minutes to sign up. More than two-dozen tour suppliers joined Adventure Central’s distribution network in the third quarter, including San Diego Bike & Kayak, Alaska Mountain Guides, Shearwater Sailing and many more.
About Adventure Central
Denver-based Adventure Central is an online adventure travel distribution company. Adventure Central connects the world to great adventures by automating the distribution of trip inventory from supplier partners such as A Day Away Kayak Tours and eBoatCharters and bringing new cost and time efficiencies to the market. Adventure Central’s private-label offerings distributed through AdventureCentral.com and leading third-party Internet partners like Orbitz (OWW) and CheapTickets give consumers access to one of the largest selection of adventure and experiential inventory at competitive rates available online. For more information on Adventure Central, call 303.292.5522 or visit www.adventurecentral.com
Alaska 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 an Alaska company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska HDTV is a series of shows produced in high definition – dedicated to sharing the Alaska experience with a global audience. Our approach is to extend a real life experience for the viewer – allowing them to connect with the host, the location and the adventure. Perfect Blend Media, LLC is a boutique production company specialized in creating mixed media productions that reach the correct audience with the right message at the right time – in the right place. We use a blend of new media applications including podcasts and social media with a dash of traditional media tactics such as TV, DVD and out of home marketing.
Website: www.alaskahdtv.com
About Explore Tours
Explore Tours, a subsidiary of USTravel, is an based Alaska company. Explore Tours has more than ten years experience planning tours in the Last Frontier. We provide custom and pre-packaged tours on a year round basis, including cruise packages. We also offer pre and post tours for meeting planners, conventions, and to supplement existing tour operator packages. Explore Tours is a member in good standing with a number of travel organizations, including the Travel Industry Association of America, the National Tour Association, the Alaska Travel Industry Association, and Convention & Visitors Bureaus in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su Valley. Explore Tours is also a member of the Better Business Bureau.
For more information, please visit www.exploretours.com
Media Contact:
Kevin Kastner | kkastner@alaskahdtv.com | +1.907.306.0132
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