Adventure & Backpacker Industry Conference
July 31, 2009
Adventure & Backpacker Industry Conference – Thursday 5 November – Australian National Maritime Museum The Adventure & Backpacker Industry Conference (ABiC), which celebrates its 14th year in 2009, is the biggest event in Australia for adventure and backpacker operators. The aim of the program is to provide delegates with practical learning they can apply in their own businesses to boost the bottom line. As well as formal learning during the conference itself, there are networking opportunities at the pre-conference drinks, during the tea/coffee/lunch breaks on the day and at the gala dinner in the evening. This is the opportunity for delegates to share best practice with, and learn from, industry colleagues. Golden Backpack Awards – Thursday 5 November – Doltone House Darling Island Wharf The Golden Backpack Awards are the only dedicated awards for the independent travel sector. More than 30 companies are recognized for their outstanding customer service in both state and... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesYupukari Wildlife Club Project Wins ECOCLUB.com 2009 Ecotourism Award
July 31, 2009
Vancouver, Canada – ATTA member Small Planet Consulting is pleased to announce that From Wild to Web, an ecotourism-based wildlife monitoring project in Guyana’s Yupukari village was chosen as a winner of the ECOCLUB.com 2009 Ecotourism Awards. The sixth annual eco-project competition, with a theme of “Their Crisis, Our Communities – Progressive Change through Social Ecotourism,” asked for “innovative projects that meet urgent needs, help create ‘another world’ at the grass roots level and improve life for all in their communities.” As a member of Ecoclub.com www.ecoclub.com, Small Planet Consulting submitted the proposal for Yupukari’s From Wild to Web project in conjunction with Rupununi Learners Incorporated (RLI), a Guyanese nonprofit corporation whose Board and membership are entirely composed of Rupununi village residents. The project seeks to enhance the wildlife monitoring activities of Yupukari’s Wildlife Club by providing them with dedicated laptops and cameras.... Read More →
Member Press Releases“Eight Is The New 12″ For Worldly-Wise Kids Traveling Abroad
July 29, 2009
Family adventures from Classic Journeys target youngsters eager to explore foreign shores La Jolla, CA – When it comes to international travel with kids in tow, the age-old debate still swirls: How old is old enough for children to truly appreciate a trip abroad? A recent article on family travel entitled “Rules of Engagement” revealed what child development experts have long believed: kids today are becoming far more worldly at an earlier age. Hence the author’s pithy proclamation: “Eight is the new 12.” At Classic Journeys, the California-based provider of family adventure tours to more than a dozen exotic destinations worldwide, the trend has been evident for years. “Between the ages of seven and 16 is prime time to expose kids to other cultures in a fun, engaging way,” observes company president and co-founder, Edward Piegza. “The more exotic the destination and its daily activities, the more eagerly kids respond.” Karen Gouze,... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesWilderness Scotland
July 29, 2009
Wilderness Scotland is an award-winning adventure travel and ecotourism company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. We specialise in small group walking and adventure vacations in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Our small group trips in Scotland include walking holidays, sea kayaking expeditions and courses, canoeing expeditions and other adventure vacations to suit all ambitions. We cover all of the Highlands, visiting destinations such as Knoydart, the Cairngorms and Torridon, as well as islands including Skye, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. We also offer self-guided walking vacations including the West Highland Way, Great Glen Way & Speyside Way (the whisky trail); family activity vacations; charity challenges and a dedicated tailor-made vacation service where we apply our knowledge, experience and expertise to deliver a customised private group vacation. In 2009, National Geographic listed us as one of the ‘Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth’. We ranked... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesTourism Northern Territory
July 29, 2009
Twice the size of California, the Northern Territory encompasses almost one sixth of Australia’s total land mass. The Northern Territory has a population of approximately 200,000 residents, of which 60,000 are Aboriginal people. A vibrant and mythical destination, the NT is home to the legendary Outback, diverse Aboriginal cultures, and incredible landscapes and wildlife. The Northern Territory is comprised of six main destinations including: Darwin, Kakadu and Arnhem Land, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Barkly, Alice Springs and Uluru-Kata Tujuta. Each of the Northern Territory’s destinations feature diverse topography, rich cultural heritage and offer a myriad of adventures for every traveler to enjoy. The Northern Territory is home to a variety of Aboriginal communities, many of whom have preserved their traditional customs and lifestyle for tens of thousands of years. Visitors can experience native Aboriginal cultures through bush-tucker tours, story telling, and traditional dance... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesAir Canada raises $1.02 billion
July 29, 2009
Note: Currency is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. MONTREAL, July 29 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today announced that it has entered into arrangements to raise a total of CAD $1.02 billion in additional liquidity through a series of financings and other transactions with certain lenders and key stakeholders. “By any measure, raising $1 billion in new liquidity is a tremendous achievement, particularly in view of current credit markets and the state of the airline industry,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This positive outcome was the result of the determined efforts of our leadership team and support of our key stakeholders, including our employees, retirees, unions, major shareholder, key aircraft lessors and suppliers, loyalty partner and others. With these financings and other transactions, the pension funding moratorium and new pension deficit funding arrangements, as well as the 21-month extensions to our collective agreements on... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesSky2Sea International
July 27, 2009
Sky2Sea International (S2Si) runs unique Adventures and Expeditions around the world, Corporate Challenges as well as expedition management and health & safety needs for Film & TV. Staff have over 20 years of experience in the expedition industry giving S2Si a prolific record of success and safety all around the world. Jungle, Desert, Arctic, Altitude: we are experts in all environments, and thrive on taking people beyond the limits for adventures of a lifetime. S2Si are all about the ‘real’ experience, so if people want to spend some time with Tribes, if people want to trek across the desert in undiscovered lands, if people want to take part in a world first in the adventure travel industry, if people want to complete a worthwhile and sustainable project, or if people want to shoot some award-wining footage… this is what we do! ADVENTURE TRAVEL S2SiTribal trips give adventure and cultural experiences like no others. From the heart of Borneo with the Penan, to the deserts... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesQuasar Expeditions
July 27, 2009
Twenty-three years ago, Quasar Expeditions embarked on a mission to bring the natural wonder of the Galapagos Islands into the lives of travelers who live nature above all. Today, and almost 75,000 guests later, we continue to offer a unique experience unrivaled in this part of the world aboard our three world-class yachts: Alta, Grace and Evolution. During the past two decades, Quasar Expeditions has provided its guests with one single assurance: when they choose to travel with us they will receive only the best service, accommodations, and guidance at each of the destinations we offer. Because we are greatly committed to giving our guests the adventure of a life-time, our staff at Quasar Expeditions, always makes sure that the needs of even the most demanding traveler are fulfilled. It has been precisely this ability to make our travelers happy that has earned us our reputation. Time has taught us that the best way to experience the stunning Galapagos Islands is “hands-on”, through... Read More →
Travelers Unite to Stop Child Sex Trafficking in Peru
July 21, 2009
Campaign Seeks to Pressure Peruvian Government to Pass and Enforce Laws BERKELEY, USA – ( Travel-newswire.com – July 21, 2009 ) – Peru’s fascinating cultural heritage and Incan legacy are being eclipsed by a more sinister attraction. Young women and girls, as well as boys, are being exploited by a commercial sex industry fueled by increasing numbers of tourists who visit Peru to engage in sex with children. A coalition of five non-profit groups has launched a campaign to highlight the plight of children in Peru’s sex trade. The effort, spearheaded by Berkeley-based Ethical Traveler, will send hundreds of letters from concerned travelers to Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mercedes Aráoz. The letters will urge Ms. Aráoz to use her influence to end child sex slavery in her country. “Child sex tourism is a threat to Peru’s status as a world-class travel destination,” says Jeff Greenwald, Ethical Traveler’s Executive Director. “If the practice is allowed... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesUp-tick in Cruise Bookings Suggests Consume Confidence Is on The Rebound: Cruise West Reports 52 Percent Increase in July 2009
July 20, 2009
Seattle, WA – Cruise West, one of the world’s leading providers of small-ship exploration cruises to the most fascinating destinations on earth, reports a 52 percent increase in bookings since the beginning of July 2009 compared to July 2008. “There is a strong close-in booking trend for Alaska and our other summer and fall products,” reported Richard Genovese, vice president of sales & marketing. “This increase has been driven by those last-minute travelers interested in our core Alaska product, as well as our new summer Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary. In addition to the demand for summer travel, we have seen strong interest in the fall season, particularly for our last chance itineraries in Asia, aboard our flagship, the Spirit of Oceanus. In 2010 this vessel will embark on a new 335-day epic world journey, the Voyages of the Great Explorers.” “We have been very pleased with these close-in bookings and believe that the consumer is beginning to feel better... Read More →
