PEPY Tours to Build Secondary School in Cambodia, Seeks Assistance
December 31, 2008
PEPY Tours, an adventure and educational tour operator, announces plans to fund the construction of a junior high school in Cambodia. PEPY will allocate proceeds from its 2009 trips to help build the first-ever secondary school in Chanleas Dai Commune, a rural area of Siem Reap Province. Through fundraising and donations, participants who join one of PEPY’s tours in 2009 will support the construction of the school as well as PEPY’s other educational programs.With seven primary schools in the commune and no permanent junior high building, secondary education is simply not viable for hundreds of students. For most, migration to Thailand or farm work are more reasonable options than biking two hours a day to the closest junior high school. The primary school graduation rate has been steadily increasing over the past few years in Chanleas Dai, but for many motivated students, 6th grade is the end of formal education, as they simply do not have the resources to continue.
PEPY has worked with the community to build two temporary open-air classrooms built of wood and thatched palm, but the basic structure is too small to house all of the students and will not last through the upcoming rainy season. After meeting with school district officials, teachers, and community members to discuss secondary school options, PEPY committed to funding the new five-room school building. The school is scheduled to open in late 2009 and will house more than 150 students in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.
On December 22, 2008, local contractors and community members broke ground on the new school building, which will cost nearly $70,000 to complete. PEPY tour participants will co-fund the project and some will volunteer alongside community members and contractors to help construct the new building. PEPY is seeking other partners for financial support to ensure the school is finished in time for the beginning of the school year in October 2009.
ATTA Member PEPY Tours offers unique trips ranging from high intensity multi-week bike trips to weeklong volunteer projects. Each trip is designed to give participants an introduction to development work in Cambodia through hands on experience, and allows participants to “live what they give,” by volunteering with the organizations that their financial contributions support.
The PEPY Ride’s co-founder, Daniela Papi says, “Many people donate in support of development projects they will never visit, but with PEPY, you can go where your money goes. By joining one of our trips, you see firsthand the difference you are making.”
The PEPY Ride was formed in December 2005, beginning a tradition of bringing participants from around the world to Cambodia to actively participate in adventure volunteer tours and live the PEPY motto: “Adventurous Living. Responsible Giving.” To date, PEPY has raised over $700,000 for development projects in Cambodia.
For more information, to make a donation, or to sign up for any of the upcoming
trips, please visit http://www.pepyride.org.
The PEPY Ride is a registered non-profit organization in both Cambodia and the USA 501(c)3# 20-4739485
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Adventure Holidays Peru
December 29, 2008
100% Peruvian, Adventure Holidays Peru offers licensed touring, trekking and guide services. Founded 15 years ago by Vidal Jaquehua, AHP is entirely Qechua owned and operated. AHP passionately strives to preserve and support regional cultures and ancient traditions in Peru, through geotourism, fair employment practices, service projects and by supporting indigenous industries, with all profits reinvested in the local economy. Vidal’s goal is to exceed the expectations of every traveler, primarily by providing authentic experiences and customized, yet flexible itineraries with attention to comfort and safety. Travelers can find adventure without danger. AHP best serves small groups, (2-12), families and students.
AHP specializes in the south region of Peru and offers the following activities:
Hiking and Trekking
Bicycling
Family groups
Horseback riding
Climbing
Paddlesports
Homestays
Geotourism
Archaeology
Voluntourism
Walking
Nature
Cultural
Educational
Photography
We are particularly interested in partnering with agents for small groups, and educators looking for educational/meaningful travel opportunities for students. We now offer the convenience of a US office to coordinate arrangements.
ATTA Members Only Tune In Webinar: 2008 Research Roundup
December 18, 2008
70 ATTA Members on Tuesday took part in the ATTA Members Tune In Webinar, which highlighted new adventure travel industry research.
The Webinar, which featured guest presenters Christina Heyniger and Henrietta de Veer from Xola Consulting, top-lined key facts and figures from the 2008 Research Roundup, released in August 2008. During this 60-minute educational session, Xola presenters put forth their research-based opinion on the current economic crisis, how it applies to the adventure travel industry, and offered suggestions to tour operators to mitigate their losses during this current recession. The Roundup’s main sections were covered including highlights from the report’s main sections:
- Destination Rankings
- Traveler Trends
- Tourism Supply Chain Trends including developments in technology
- Top Adventure Company News
- Travel Media
ATTA Members Only Tune In Webinars are a free opportunity for current ATTA Members. Members that were unable to attend yesterday’s Webinar may find a recorded version on the Members Only Website by December 21st.
Editor’s Field Notes: December 2008 Update
December 18, 2008
Two Adventure Travel World Summits (Brazil in September, Norway in October), a host of regional meetings, attendance at global travel trade shows, participation in a sustainable travel project 13,000 miles from home, ongoing injection of news into AdventureTravelNews, plus the behind-the-scenes development of ATTA’s soon-to-launch adventure travel community, has kept this editor occupied these past few months.
Now, in the midst of an economic downturn we’re all feeling, and having just returned from the ATTA staff retreat, know that we’re here to continue conveying your news to extend your reach to our subscription base, which now exceeds 18,000 adventure travel industry professionals. Additionally, we’ll work to zero in on news and information that will help your organization navigate these testy times.
Stay tuned for news and coverage from new contributors in 2009 as we work to expand our coverage and reach. If you’ve interest in contributing to the knowlege base of the global adventure travel community, please reach out to me at editor@adventure.travel and submit your ideas and recommendations. I’m eager to have others join the ATTA in building our industry’s clearing how of news, resources and intelligence.
Back again soon, Chris (aka, “Doyle)
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Leading Tour Operators Consider Madagascar
December 18, 2008
Arlington, Virginia (December 17, 2008) – Conservation International (CI), working in close collaboration with the National Tourism Board of Madagascar, Responsibletravel.com and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a 12-day familiarization trip to Madagascar by 12 U.S. and U.K. tour operators.
Supported by funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and following extensive research, key operators from the United Kingdom and United States were invited to Madagascar to learn more about the destination, and to inform the national strategy for ecotourism, poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation. The familiarization trip culminated in the presentation of the first ever Madagascar Responsible Tourism Awards.
In addition to viewing the scenic beauty of Madagascar, targeted networking opportunities were provided throughout the familiarization tour to build relationships at the regional and national levels with hoteliers and ground handlers to facilitate future negotiations.
Participants reported a new understanding of both the destination, and the demands of the U.K. and U.S. source markets, which research indicates provides improved yield and therefore improved opportunities for conservation and poverty alleviation in Madagascar.
CI and the project participants are grateful to USAID and the Government of Madagascar for their support of this important initiative, as well as the valued input and contributions of the participating tour operators.
Winners of the Madagascar Responsible Tourism Award:
Menabe:
Travel Flying Services
+261 33 11 177 70 / +261 32 40 199 90
CAZ:
Eastern Tours
+261 20 53 315 79/ +261 32 11 566 31
Companies Participating in the familiarization trip:
US Companies
Wildland Adventures www.wildland.com
Geographic Expeditions www.geoex.com
Butterfield & Robinson www.butterfield.com
REI Adventures www.reiadventures.com
Myths & Mountains www.mythsandmountains.com
OARS www.oars.com
UK Companies
Blue Ventures www.blueventures.org
Discovery Initiatives www.discoveryinitiatives.co.uk/
Explore www.explore.co.uk
The Adventure Company www.adventurecompany.co.uk
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For more information, please contact:
Madagascar:
Tsitohaina ANDRIAMANOHERA
National Tourism Board of Madagascar
BP 1780, Ambatomena, Antananarivo
Madagascar
+261 20 22 661 15
United States
Neel Inamdar
Senior Advisor, Ecotourism
Conservation International
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202
USA
Tel: 703-398-1091
Ace the Himalaya
December 18, 2008
Organization Mission/Purpose
Our passion lies within the people, trekking, culture and the spectacular holy mountains. These are all contributing factors that form this amazing world you wish to visit. Proudly we are dedicated to providing expert guidance throughout each stage of your holiday experience. Behind the scenes we are committed to the policies, we believe they make up the Ace the Himalaya difference and heighten the way you travel.
Ace the Himalaya’s main direction is to provide first class adventure tourism whilst generating a fairer income for the local community. We pride ourselves on vast knowledge and networks which allows us to focus on every detail of your journey ensuring minimal impact on the environment and local people.
Therefore we have been in the profession long enough to know what makes our trips a huge success. We’ve spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, out of the way, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of the Himalayas. When travelling with us you will feel a sense of comfort as you become part of our family. Our team has been carefully selected for their specialized skills and talents along with their dedication to managing our large network of clients.
What hasn’t changed is the passion for people, trekking, mountains and the personal service we offer to everyone who travels with us. Ace the Himalaya continues to organize and lead quality treks, tours and adventures for small groups of like-minded outdoors people. We remain small enough for all our trips to be special.
With each of our holidays we can suggest optional activities such as white water rafting, Scenic Mount Everest flight, Jungle Safari the list goes on to find out more we can supply you with a detailed list of optional activities for you to achieve the most from your Himalayan holiday.
This is our corner of the world. We know it intimately. We love it passionately, so much so that we want to share it with kindred souls”. We are proud to showcase the Himalayas to the world!
Join us now for all trekking, touring outdoor adventure and Culture experience in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan Himalayas.
Products and/or Services
Adventure Holidays, Culture Tour, Trekking, Hiking, Walking, Climbing & Expedition, Festival Tour, Jungle Safari, River Rafting, Charity Challenges, Team Building, Volunteering, Family Holidays, Corporate Service.
Geographic Reach/Areas of Operation
Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet)
Special Interest in Connecting with the Adventure Travel Community (e.g., networking, marketing strategy development, research, partnerships/alliances, sustainable travel, insurance needs, etc.)
Partnerships/alliances, Networking, Marketing strategy development, Research, Sustainable travel, Responsible Travel
WorldWide Trekking LLC
December 8, 2008
WorldWide Trekking is an independent outdoor travel company located in Omaha, Nebraska. The company is owned and operated by Michael D. Johnson, an experienced adventure travel professional who is passionate about the lifestyle the company promotes. Our outdoor adventures are designed for active travelers looking for a truly rewarding experience and the intimacy of traveling in smaller groups. Some of our trips are perfect family adventures, and we can customize most of our adventures.
We offer active adventures with exceptional service, and our goal is to enrich the lives of our customers through the benefits of adventure travel. We utilize knowledgeable and experienced local guides in some of the world’s most spectacular and culturally rich destinations. Our adventures are unique and provide clients with a rewarding experience which encourages personal growth and accomplishment. Our value added offering is our knowledge and expertise, competitive rates, and specialty focus on exceptional service and enrichment, which translates into increased satisfaction for the customer. We promote Sustainable Tourism and work with only accredited local guides/agents in our host countries.
Worldwide Trekking’s domestic trips are long weekend or weeklong adventures which take place in Colorado and southeast Wyoming. Our international adventures range from 8 to 23 days and take place in Iceland, Canada, Nepal, Peru, Ireland and Great Britain. WorldWide Trekking has established working relationships with service providers in each of these countries. Sourcing of destinations and local providers will be continuously evaluated to understand customer trends.
The company’s primary focus is on the Midwestern states, and with large number of adventure seekers, we serve a very sizeable population base. The Midwest and specifically the Omaha area offer a generous market with tremendous potential. The 2007 Greater Omaha Executive Demographic Report indicated the percent change in household incomes earning between $100,000 – $149,000 in the years 1990 to 2000 rose 339.2% and are predicted to increase by 34% between 2007 and 2012. In 2007, 12.7% of Omaha’s population earned between $100,000 – $149,000 and it is projected to increase to 16.2% by 2012. Household incomes greater than $150,000, increased 274.7% between 1990 and 2000, and are predicted to increase by 47% from 2007 to 2012. In 2007, 7.2% of Omaha’s population earned greater than $150,000, and this is projected to increase to 10% by 2012. The upward trend in household incomes for the target market suggests the availability of disposable financial resources that could be spent on adventure travel.
Our clients are reached through traditional marketing communication methods with our website being the primary source of information. WorldWide Trekking’s attractive and informative website, is complete trip descriptions, pricing, promotions, photographs, and bios, and highlights the differentiation and quality of our adventures.
We have a growing e-mail data base of past and current clients who have participated in adventure travel, and we understand the need for consistent product communication. Short, attractive monthly e-mail blasts with trip updates, incentives, and information is a key part of our marketing strategy.
We also distribute full-color trifold brochures in key retail locations, including local outdoor sports/lifestyle retailers, upscale coffee houses, local health clubs and other related businesses. In addition, WorldWide Trekking participates in local health and wellness events promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Socompa EVT
December 1, 2008
Socompa is a Tour Operator based in Salta established in 2004 by a crazy Italian who fell in love with the Andes. We are the first Company to organize overlanding trips & expeditions in the Puna Region (the huge plateau laying in the middle of the Andes, from Titicaca Lake to San Juan Province in Argentina). Socompa has its exclusive group of guides/drivers and 4×4 Vehicles (4WD), with all insurances and authorizations to organize trips in this corner of South America. Our voyages also take us to Chile and Bolivia, departing from Salta, which is strategically located in the heart of the Region.
Because its strong commitment in the area, Socompa is currently opening its first Branch in Antofagasta de la Sierra in Catamarca Province. It is huge news since it is the first office ever opened in the Puna at 3,500 meters in a amazing oasis where everything is a natural challenge! No electricity, no telephone lines; but, we have some nice ideas. There, in a restored mud brick house, our travelers will find a place to approach the local community culture: for example in a 4,000 square meter garden where we’ll show them the local agricultural techniques.
Socompa’s Branch will be our operative office in the desert in order to take care of our travelers in the best and more effective way possible.
Then, Socompa works as a Adventure Tourism Incoming Operator, offering the best experiences here in the North West (including San Pedro de Atacama), from bird watching in a private reserve to our special High Altitude Extreme Walking, a special lonely walk on a perfect salted lake.
Socompa’s Staff (we are growing fast — now we are nine people working full time!) is formed by people in love with its landscape and with its culture. We really try hard, mainly because we are conscious that tourism, including the best exclusive adventure tourism, always has an impact on people and nature. We believe that we have a huge responsibility and we deeply accept it. We try hard in order to respect and protect our environment. For this reason, together with important members of the scientific and cultural society of Salta, we founded a Foundation called Puna Argentina, whose mission is to protect the whole environment in the Argentine Puna. For this reason, Socompa is member of 1% for the Planet as, we collaborate donating each year 1% of our revenue to an NGO from Argentina that actively works to protect the environment.
Following our idea to offer the best personalized services, six months ago, my wife (an Italian architect) and I, opened our new house (Casa de Campo) just a few kilometers away from Salta, a typical country house but with a minimalist Italian touch! In Finca Valentina (www.finca-valentina.com.ar) we receive our travelers, usually in order to offer them a unique experience in our home with our family. The idea is to spend some time together, to have time to relax in the nature and to offer them a special briefing about what they are going to do in the following days of their stay.
We think the North West of Argentina is one of the last area in the planet that will offer for a long time to go, the real chance to experience the emotion of an Authentic Trip. In particular we consider that the Puna is the new destination for desert lovers.
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