Intrepid Travel Reports Sharp Increase in Canada, Alaska Sales
February 26, 2009
Toronto, Canada (February 26, 2009) — Sales of Intrepid Travel’s trips in West Canada have grown 30 per cent in a year and Alaska by 50 per cent, prompting the adventure holiday specialist to add additional vans to cope with demand for its North America product. Intrepid is anticipating a 25 per cent overall increase in sales to North America this year and has increased the number of vans it uses to operate these trips by 20 per cent to meet demand. “Alaska and Canada are great destinations for active and adventurous travellers who enjoy wilderness areas and wildlife,” said Intrepid Travel CEO and Co-founder, Darrell Wade. “People are making the most of cheap airfares and flying to the US. When they get there they want to travel without breaking the budget and that’s where Intrepid Travel steps.” For 2009, children booked on Intrepid Travel’s 14-day ‘Cowboys and Indians’ trip will receive a 20% discount. This adventure of epic... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases Travel & Outdoor GearDestinations Continue Building In-Roads with Outdoor Gear Brands
February 26, 2009
ATTA-facilitated meetings at Outdoor Retailer show create new marketing opportunities Continuing to open doors between the adventure travel and outdoor gear industries, the ATTA recently hosted key adventure destinations at the Outdoor Retailer (OR) trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah (June 22-25, 2009). The show is North America’s biggest gathering of outdoor gear manufacturers, retail buyers, media, athletes, associations, and more. More than 16,000 industry professionals attend the winter OR show. All are influencers and/or decision-makers within an industry that reaches millions of North American outdoors enthusiasts – but all are also passionate outdoors people and travelers themselves. “Going into it, I wasn’t sure what we’d be able to get out of [meetings at the OR show], but I was really impressed with the number of meetings the ATTA was able to set up for us,” said Molly Budinsky with Mercury Advertising on behalf of Travel Montana. “I was... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesOfficial Update from Madagascar as of Feb. 25, 2009
February 25, 2009
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE FROM MADAGASCAR’S NATIONAL TOURISM BOARD Madagascar’s National Tourism Board (Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar / ONTM) informs all its partners and the general public at large that: - The crisis opposing the present government and one part of the opposition led by the former mayor of the capital resulted in partial strikes and some perturbation of economic activities in the capital Antananarivo at the beginning of the month of February 2009. - Negotiations between the two parties are at present going on under the care of the Oecumenical Council of Churches. Calls for strikes have stopped and economic activities have come back to normal. - The tourists who were in Madagascar at the time of the events could finish their stays or circuits without any problem and could leave the Malagasy territory quite safely. - The managers of the different hotels and restaurants, travel agencies/ tour-operators, national parks and the heads of all the infrastructures... Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: SustainabilityGeographic Expeditions and Small Planet Consulting Support Surama Eco-Lodge
February 25, 2009
Vancouver, Canada, February 25, 2009 – ATTA members Geographic Expeditions and Small Planet Consulting are pleased to announce that Surama Eco-Lodge of Guyana was recognized and honored at the U.S. Educational Travel Conference (ETC), which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana from February 18-21. As the Responsible Tourism Showcase Honoree for 2009, Surama received recognition at the Opening Plenary session as well as press and visibility in front of tour operators from museums, schools, alumni associations, and other US-based institutions with international travel programs. Surama Eco-lodge also received a monetary award and will be recognized and featured on the ETC website and in outreach programs throughout 2009. The exposure will result in international recognition for Surama’s community tourism programs and should serve to increase awareness of the ecological and cultural preservation efforts underway throughout Guyana. The California-based Geographic Expeditions and... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours
February 23, 2009
Founded in 1972, ExperiencePlus! is a bicycle tour company that focuses on actively engaging travelers—both physically and intellectually. They were the first U.S. based tour operator to offer bicycle trips in Italy, and since then have expanded to offer trips to over 15 destinations, coupling passions for exciting cycling and exploration to create unique travel opportunities for cyclists worldwide. Encouraging authentic and engaging cultural exploration, the company specializes in innovative and strategic bicycle tour offerings, with an emphasis on personal attention; extraordinary cycling routes marked with easy to follow chalk dust arrows, high quality bicycles, and a “family” of interesting, fun, and down-to-earth customers. Currently, ExperiencePlus offers unique bicycle tour opportunities in: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and Uruguay. Through their partners they have trips in: Australia, Canada,... Read More →
By the Numbers Must Read/View ViewpointsIn This Economy, Industry Vets Concur: “Don’t worry about the wind; adjust the sails.”
February 19, 2009
There are no two ways around it: It’s time to, “Adjust the Sails”. So says adventure travel professionals possessing decades of experience who have weathered the worst tempests to date who’ve recently borrowed from that now infamous Ted Turner quote. It’s been said that the two most important drivers of adventure travel business is the geopolitical scenario and the economy. And, one of the drivers is suffering. Before a combined total of more than 125 adventure travel industry peers, eight adventure travel industry veterans speaking on two “Weathering the Economic Storm” panels during recent ATTA Regional Meetings in San Francisco (Dec. 5, 2008), Seattle (January 28, 2009) and in Los Angeles (February 13, 2009) agree that this economic downturn is the most challenging the adventure travel industry has experienced. They also agreed in principle that the recession is expected to be prolonged, representing more of a “U” than a “V” shape. Another suggested that a “W”... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesAmerican Safari Cruises to operate under new company with former CEO Dan Blanchard
February 19, 2009
SEATTLE, Wash. (Feb. 19, 2009) – American Safari Cruises former CEO Dan Blanchard, who headed the company from 2001 to October 2008, has formed a new company, InnerSea Discoveries, which purchased the assets of American Safari Cruises and will operate the ASC brand beginning with the 2009 Alaska season. Based at historic Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, the new parent company plans to add several new brands to complement the American Safari yacht cruising experience of up-close, interactive exploration of the routes less traveled. The InnerSea Discoveries executive team of Blanchard and Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing, has a combined 60 years of experience in yacht and small-ship cruising. “Tim and I are extremely excited to be back at the helm of a product we love and to build on the strong name of American Safari Cruises,” Blanchard says. “Showcasing nature up-close has been our true passion for decades, and we are looking toward... Read More →
New & Different Spotlight: SustainabilityNational Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers Launch Online Contest Seeking Top Innovators in Sustainable Tourism
February 19, 2009
WASHINGTON (Feb. 18, 2009)—The National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers today opened the entry process for the second annual “Geotourism Challenge” to showcase how tourism done well sustains, enhances and preserves local culture and the environment. The competition will identify individuals worldwide who have introduced the most innovative practices in tourism and destination stewardship. Conducted in partnership with Ashoka’s Changemakers, the global Geotourism Challenge will accept online applications at www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge through May 20, 2009. Applicants must demonstrate an innovation that protects destination quality and furthers geotourism, defined by National Geographic as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.” During this period, anyone can debate, endorse or provide additional information on the entries. A distinguished... Read More →
Media Buzz Trade EventsSharks, Surfing and Chamber Music at 6th San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
February 18, 2009
Benign sharks. “Commando kayakers.” Finless surfing to seaside chamber music. You don’t see them everyday. But all will be shown onscreen February 19-22, 2009 to filmgoers at the 6th San Francisco Ocean Film Festival at Fort Mason Center. Over the past five years, the festival has earned a reputation as the largest and most eclectic festival of its kind, featuring dozens of new documentary, animated and scripted films from around the world. Subject-wise, the films run the gamut from scientific exploration of ocean life, to activists’ efforts in cleaning up polluted waters, sports, and creative visions of still unspoiled seas. This year, over 4,000 people are expected to attend the festival, not only for the films, but also for the camaraderie of the get-togethers, expert talks, and informal Q&A sessions. The public is invited to join a festival kick off party from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Aquarium of the Bay on San Francisco’s waterfront. Live... Read More →
ATTA Press ReleasesATTA Hires del Rosal to Launch its First International Branch in Mexico
February 18, 2009
(SEATTLE) – February 19, 2009 – Culminating four years of research, relationship building and investigation, the U.S.-based Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) today announced plans to launch its first international branch in Mexico in the second quarter of 2009. To lead the launch, the ATTA has tapped Mexican native Antonio del Rosal to serve as Executive Director for ATTA Mexico. Born to a Mexican father and American mother, del Rosal’s, dual cultural background makes him particularly well suited to represent multi-national issues, while also representing local perspectives. Del Rosal is representing the ATTA to local tourism boards and the national tourism board, and is the primary point of communication between Mexican tour operators and the ATTA. He is also spearheading collaboration between the ATTA and AMTAVE (Asociación Mexicana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo). Del Rosal is responsible for contributing to the ATTA’s development of the adventure travel industry... Read More →
