ATTA Adventure Travel Business Survey Reflects Resiliency, Rapid Adaption to Economic News, Traveler Preferences
March 11, 2009
Online Marketing, Catalog Elimination, Shorter Duration and Custom Trips on Rise (SEATTLE) – (MARCH 12, 2009) – Radically changing booking forecasts and notable shifts in consumer preferences and their booking habits, combined with changes in businesses’ current and future marketing strategies, reflect a quickly adapting adventure travel community according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s first-quarter 2009 “Industry Snapshot”. Two hundred and thirty-two tour operators from around the world, half from North America, completed the survey and combined represent approximately 1.3 million adventure travel customers. Similarly, 47 adventure resorts and lodges also completed a similar survey. “What we see in both survey results is what we’ve suspected since the economic turmoil hit – that while the adventure travel industry is not immune to the situation, our members appear to be weathering the storm better than some of the more... Read More →
Mexico Tourism Board CEO Oscar Fitch Gómez Issues Statement Concerning U.S. State Dept. Alert
March 11, 2009
Editor’s Note: Mr. Gómez’s letter to industry partners regarding the U.S. State Department’s Feb. 20, 2009, alert regarding crime and violence in Mexico is offered in its entirety below. ATTA has recently opened its first branch in Mexico to be led by ATTA Mexico Executive Director Antonio de Rosal, who is diligently working with public, private and NGO organizations to help accurately convey to inbound travelers the adventure travel conditions throughout Mexico – not just conditions of crime and violence reported in the isolated locations indicated in media reports. “Mexico City, Tuesday, March 10th, 2009. Dear American Tourism Industry Partners, As you may know, the media has been stressing news about the violent issues related to drug trafficking in Mexico; however, consumers do understand that these are isolated events taking place in perfectly delimited areas and most of them occur far away from tourist destinations. Mexico continues to have a positive... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesTerhaal Eco Adventure
March 10, 2009
Terhaal is a Jordanian adventure tour operator that operates quality adventures in Jordan in a responsible manner. Terhaal runs a variety of adventures including canyoning, hiking, trekking, camping, cycling, camel trekking and scuba diving. Most of the adventures are designed to be suitable for everyone. Our adventures focus on areas off the beaten track. Weekend, day adventures and multi-day holidays are all provided. Our adventures are run with small groups; 14 or less. By traveling with us you will be contributing to the conservation of nature, as nature reserves are part of our programs. Our clients will be contributing to local communities as we utilize the services provided by the natives to the areas visited. You will be exposed to local culture and interact with people in authentic settings. Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: SustainabilityEplerWood International Research Backs Solid Green Travel Marketplace
March 10, 2009
Burlington, VT - Mar 10, 2009 Concrete steps toward understanding the green travel economy were backed by business organizations in 2008, as this new/old paradigm shifted into high gear. American Express and the US Travel Association, two heavy hitters in the U.S. and on the global travel stage launched Travelgreen.org — a new web portal with vital resources for greening mainstream travel. And the SEEP Network completed a year-long study of supply chains for small enterprise development in Central America. Both relied on EplerWood International for consultation, expertise, and focused research — and Epler Wood’s 20-year history of guiding travel business toward successful green models of market-based, enterprise development. “There’s been some outstanding progress in 2008 toward setting clear sustainability goals,” says Megan Epler Wood, “but finding the means for business and destinations to make these goals concrete, especially in this declining... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesCrested Butte Mountain Resort
March 10, 2009
Nestled in the heartland of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Crested Butte is the place to inspire your passion for adventure. With vibrant Victorian store-fronts and expressive local characters, the small historic town remains true to its heritage and radiates an unparalleled welcoming spirit that takes you back to a simpler life and time. Because of its widely diverse landscape, whether you are a beginner or a national champion, you will be able to find a new challenge each time you visit. From world-class mountain biking, to legendary skiing and snowboarding, to a secluded fly-fishing experience, Crested Butte provides year-round opportunities to quench your inner thirst for adventure. Positive change abounds and excitement surrounds the upcoming seasons – new programs, fresh faces, and most of all Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s commitment to our friends that keep coming back for more. Here, you will be inspired by Colorado’s True Colors and revel in a sense of freedom... Read More →
By the NumbersNew Poll Shows Washington Workers Taking Less Paid Vacation Time
March 9, 2009
60% of Voters Support Paid Vacation Measure (March 5, 2009) A new poll of Washington (state) voters shows finds that the traditional two week paid vacation is a thing of the past for most Washington workers. Currently, 71% of Washington workers get two or less paid weeks off, while 52% get one week or less. 33% currently get none at all. A new coalition is looking into solutions that would guarantee at least ten days of paid vacation time for full-time workers. Take Back Your Time, Washington’s only statewide organization dedicated to advocating for a healthier work life balance, commissioned a statewide survey of Washington voters regarding individual vacation habits. True Blue Innovation conducted the survey that included 500 respondents. “The problem is that people are stressed to the limit because they work too much,” says John de Graaf, Executive Director of Take Back Your Time. “Vacations help reduce stress and burnout in the workplace, increase worker productivity... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesSerena Hotel and Residences, S.A. de C.V.
March 9, 2009
Experience the extraordinary A real find on the Mexican Riviera, Serena Residences is a world class experience with its private marina, its championship golf course and its elegant residences. Still, what makes Serena extraordinary, is its unsurpassed hospitality. Right at Serena Residences, a David Fleming golf course winds alongside the largest marina in Latin America. The boats of the resort’s fleet, anchored just a few steps from your room are available for fishing, whale watching or island excursions. Still, you may find it hard to pull yourself away from the property’s magnificent residences, finest amenities and outstanding service. Facilities: Golf Course Private Marina Restaurant/Bar Private Sport fishing fleet Whale watching Tours Deer Island Shuttle Pool Jacuzzi & Spa Private Airport Transfers Room Descriptions: Three Bedroom Bugambilia Residence. Offers three bedroom residence marina view with one king and two queen beds, Egyptian cotton linens, walk-in closets,... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesCreative Catalonia
March 9, 2009
As a Cycling Holiday and Walking holiday specialist, Creative Catalonia prides ourselves on listening to what our clients want from their holiday and then creating a customised itinerary that is tailor-made to suit their needs. Our Goal is to create the best holiday for our clients. We offer both Self-guided or Guided Tours depending on what our clients prefer. Our tours are either ‘single base’ holidays where routes are circular to and from the one hotel or ‘point to point’ holidays where our clients cycle or walk from hotel to hotel while their luggage is transferred for them. The Primary Market that we cater for are clients who like to have the freedom to choose their own dates for their holiday, cycle or walk at their own pace and to have some input into the creation of their own fantastic cycling or walking holiday. Our Target Market is the middle to high end price range. We are based in the Baix Emporda region of Catalonia, which is in the heart of the Costa... Read More →
Trade EventsTHE AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (ATA) INTRODUCES AN AFRICA MARKETPLACE FOR TRAVEL TRADE BUYERS AND SELLERS
March 6, 2009
Act Now to Make Appointments to Meet Travel Experts Specializing in Africa and to Register for the 34th Annual Congress in Cairo, Egypt – The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it will introduce a marketplace for buyers and sellers specializing in Africa at the upcoming 34th Annual Congress in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Titled African Bazaar, the marketplace provides a forum for travel trade buyers and sellers to sign up for pre-scheduled, one-on-one appointments devoted to networking and building business linkages. “A marketplace is the most efficient way for the buyers in the travel industry to really discover the wonderful products of Africa, said Bob Whitley, President of the United States Tour Operators Association (US-TOA). “The one-on-one meetings can result in creating new business for all.” Suppliers and buyers will have the chance to meet a targeted 24 experts, including hoteliers, airlines, destination marketing companies (DMC’s),... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesNAVO Tour
March 6, 2009
NAVO Tour (Nature Adventure Voyage Off-road) has specialized in China active adventure tour organization since 1993, with the aim to be the most comprehensive and professional active adventure travel company in China. We have embarked on diversiform adventure tours, such as trekking, self-driving, off-road tour(our 3 main business), photography tour, motorcycling tour, students challenge tour, bird-watching, festival, volunteer tour and learning martial arts tour etc. Our routes are special-designed and some are exclusive ones in the market. Our steps have covered all China provinces, especially Tibet, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Beijing etc. During the co-operation with our European clients in the past years, we have been persisting on introducing the most deserving traveling area in China to our clients and guests, at the same time, offering our best service. NAVO are full of enthusiasm to improve and promote the Chinese adventure tourism, and we... Read More →
