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 national categories. The awards are consumer voted following a national campaign in TNT Magazine and online, with the voting process monitored by an independent panel of judges.
This year’s Golden Backpack Awards dinner will take place at Doltone House’s brand new waterfront venue at Darling Island Wharf, the first 6-star green-star building in New South Wales.
Just a few minutes walk from conference venue the National Maritime Museum, the brand new addition to the Doltone House Group opens in October 2009, meaning guests will be among the first to sample its fantastic hospitality. Doltone House Darling Island Wharf is situated directly across the road from Star City Casino. It is a spectacular waterfront venue on Sydney Harbour foreshore with views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.
Voting for the Golden Backpack Awards starts on Monday 13 July and will run for 10 weeks.
Independent Travel Exchange – Wednesday 4 November – Sydney venue TBC
The backpacking and adventure travel industry is to have its own business-to-business trade show, with the announcement The Independent Travel Exchange (ITE) will take place in Sydney on Wednesday, November 4.
ITE is designed to provide a forum for Australasian tourism businesses to meet other regional operators in order to canvas new business opportunities and develop new networking contacts. Unlike other events, where businesses need to have international-ready product, ITE also welcomes developing businesses to introduce their product to the major suppliers, retailers and representatives central to the thriving backpacker and adventure travel market.
Once delegates have registered they can create a profile page, upload their logo, company details and product/service information (which will be available to view by all other registered delegates) and, most importantly, request specific appointments with key industry colleagues.
ITE is a welcome addition to a bustling week for the industry that already includes the Adventure + Backpacker Industry Conference, The Golden Backpack Awards and the Adventure + Backpacker Expo.
Tickets are now on sale for the early bird price of $199 for bookings made before 31st August 2009.
To book tickets for any of the above events go to http://abic.thumbrella.com.au/book.html
Yupukari 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. Village youth will learn to digitally document field projects, make web pages, and then upload them to the existing RLI website.
The ECOCLUB Ecotourism Awards fund community and environment-supporting projects proposed and implemented by ECOCLUB members from around the world. Submissions were posted online in a public forum and voted on by members. The field was then narrowed to six finalists and three winners were democratically chosen in late June. In addition to the project in Guyana, the other winning projects are based in Honduras and Peru. Each winning proposal will receive a micro-grant for €1,000 (approximately US$1,400) to implement the project.
Rupununi Learners Inc. were thrilled to hear that the Yupukari Village From Wild to Web project had been chosen by ECOCLUB members, saying, “This award means that the Wildlife Club will be able to share what we are seeing and learning with our village, our region, and the world!”
By adding digital documentation training, resources and implementation to Yupukari Wildlife Club field projects recently funded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the From Wild to Web project will enhance the capacity of village youth to participate in developing local, regional, national and international conversation about the future of threatened Rupununi lands and waters. The Yupukari Village Wildlife Club connects village youth to a synergistic group of learning, scientific inquiry and enterprise activities, all of which are documented in words and pictures at www.rupununilearners.org.
Since September 2005 the villagers of Yupukari and its satellite communities have been participating in and driving a long-term ecological monitoring program for Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the first study of its kind in Guyana. The initial project quickly seeded a local crew of trained caiman field researchers and an ecotourism venture based on the caiman catch-and-release attraction.
Both full- and part-time livelihoods have grown from the new inputs, which have included a four-bedroom guesthouse; the Internet-enabled, computer-equipped Yupukari Public Library; a home furnishings enterprise, Yupukari Crafters; and independent housing for up to four visiting volunteers at one time.
The caiman research has for safety reasons been necessarily closed to participation by youth, but thanks to a herpetologist volunteer and recent funding, a monitoring program for herps and amphibians is underway as a collaboration of the village Wildlife Club and the afterschool program in the Yupukari Public Library. Birdwatching is another area of Wildlife Club activity. Accompanied by an experienced local surveyor, Club members practice and build skills in wetland bird survey while contributing to an ongoing National Important Bird Areas survey undertaken by Guyana Amazon Tropical Bird Society.
The addition of a laptop, cameras and training in digital documentation by Wildlife Club members will build the capacity of these future decision makers to investigate, understand, present and advocate for their resources and their future. RLI representatives will implement the project and Ms. Karwacki of Small Planet Consulting will act as project manager. For the past 3.5 years, Judy has also been the Tourism Director for the Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GSTI), a joint project of the Government of Guyana and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) project.
Training and support for the technology is already available at the Yupukari Public Library, and the dedicated equipment that will be purchased with the award money will allow the Wildlife Club to undertake a group project in photographing and publishing Club activities and discoveries.
Yupukari village sits atop a hill located along the Rupununi River and thanks to the relatively new Caiman House Field Station the village has been enjoying growth in development projects, new jobs, ecotourism, and conservation ethic. The area around Yupukari is rich in many bird and mammal species and nature hikes and dugout canoe voyages along the Rupununi provide excellent ways to enjoy it.
Visitors are also invited to accompany the caiman-catching crew, which now consists largely of Yupukari locals, and observe caiman capture from a separate boat. Guests are then offered the opportunity to assist in data collection once the caiman is pulled to shore and secured. Caiman are weighed, measured, sexed, and tagged, and depending on the season, caiman nests, eggs and hatchlings are also studied.
For more information about Yupukari village and Rupununi Learners, visit www.rupununilearners.org. For more on tourism in Guyana, visit www.guyanabirding.com and www.guyana-tourism.com.
For over 15 years, Judy Karwacki and Small Planet Consulting have worked with destinations and communities in sustainable tourism development that provides long-term economic, social and cultural benefits while protecting their natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.smallplanet.travel.
“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, Ph.D., director of training in psychology at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, agrees. “Children are much more knowledgeable by age seven or eight than they used to be,” Gouze explains. “They’re exposed to a much more diverse group of people in their everyday lives, so they’re more interested in the outside world.”
For Piegza, the highlight of any Family Journey is the moment when multiple generations really click. He cites a “city mouse” Manhattan family as the perfect example. In 2008, Gary and Yang Sciscent and their three children (aged 12, 11 and 7) joined the company’s Peru Family Journey, where mountain biking through the Sacred Valley on their way to Machu Picchu made for an unforgettable family outing. Less than a year later, the family experienced a second “aha moment” while riding camelback, Bedouin-style, over towering sand dunes on the company’s Morocco Family Journey.
Whether guests are paddling a dugout canoe in Panama, skimming along a zip line in the cloud forest of Costa Rica, or swimming with the world’s smallest dolphins in New Zealand, they’re likely to hit it off instantly with the company’s native guides. By taking advantage of every teachable moment – yet never making it feel like school – Classic Journeys’ guides make history and culture come alive. From unearthing wildlife (the weirder the better) to relating centuries-old local legends (like oil being poured over the heads of ancient attackers in Tuscany’s hilltowns), they capture the imagination of young and old alike.
As parents who love to tour with their own kids, Piegza and his wife, Susan, have mastered the logistics and eliminated the language barriers in each region the company visits. Even planning a trip during the school year isn’t a problem, with seven multi-generational Family Journeys perfectly timed for winter and spring breaks:
- Morocco Family Journey – Departing December 29, 2009, and March 28, 2010, for nine days/eight nights
- Costa Rica Family Journey – Departing December 27, 2009, March 14 and 28, & April 4, 2010, for seven days/six nights
- Panama Family Journey – Departing December 27, 2009, March 14 and 28, & April 4, 2010, for seven days/six nights
- Peru Family Journey – Departing December 27, 2009, and March 28 and April 4, 2010, for seven days/six nights
- New Zealand Family Journey – Departing December 28, 2009, for nine days/eight nights
- Zambia Family Journey – Departing December 29, 2009, for 10 days/nine nights
- Tuscany Family Journey – Departing April 4, 2010, for seven days/six nights
Adult pricing for winter and spring break Family Journeys starts at $2,995 per person (double occupancy, land only). Children up to age 16 enjoy significant discounts when sharing a room with one or two full-paying adults.
Readers who want to learn more about the company’s ever-expanding roster of Family Journeys – including detailed itineraries – may click on www.classicjourneys.com/family, or contact a Guest Services Coordinator directly at (800) 200-3887.
About Classic Journeys:
Classic Journeys offers cultural walking adventures, culinary tours and family journeys in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. Guests enjoy luxury accommodations and gourmet meals that reflect the best of each region, coupled with soft adventure activities, daily interactions with locals, and native guides who make countries and cultures come alive. Tours are six to 12 days long with two to four hours of easy-going walking per day. Land-only tour prices range from $2195 to $6995 per person (with discounts for small groups and children traveling with parents). Average tour size is 10, limited to a maximum of 18 guests per departure. Full details and links to itineraries are available at www.ClassicJourneys.com.
Wilderness 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 16th overall, making us the highest ranked company in Europe. We are the only Scottish company to hold AITO’s 5-star Responsible Tourism award and were recently named Best Green Tour Operator at the World Travel Awards.
Our clients come from all over the world to experience Scotland’s outdoors. They even come from Scotland itself, which is a great endorsement! Our wide range of itineraries means that we have trips graded from easy through to challenging – so something to suit every type of client.
Our service is defined by passion, knowledge and attention to detail. We believe that there is no substitute for experience and in booking with Wilderness Scotland you can be sure that you are joining a vacation that has been exhaustively researched and personally assessed for its style and quality.
In choosing Wilderness Scotland, you can also be sure that you, or your clients, are travelling with a company that takes its commitment to sustainable tourism seriously. We operate to the highest environmental standards are a committed to supporting the local economies and communities in which we operate. We are the only adventure travel company in the UK to hold the Green Tourism Gold Award and have won many other awards in recognition of innovative approach and commitment to sustainable tourism.
We are keen to connect with adventure travel companies who are interested in sending their clients to Scotland. We can create bespoke itineraries for your clients, pitched at the correct level of physical challenge and budget for your groups. We believe that the combination of a beautiful landscape, intriguing history and famously friendly locals, along with mountains and coastlines which are perfect for activities such as hiking, sea kayaking, canoeing and more, make Scotland an unbeatable destination for adventure travel. We’re sure your clients would agree. And if they don’t, a bit of local malt whisky always seems to help persuade them that Scotland is a magical country to experience!
Tourism 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 performances, and artwork. The Northern Territory hosts numerous festivals year-round, and boasts some of the best art galleries in the country, showcasing a variety of works by local indigenous artists.
For the nature enthusiast, the Northern Territory also has 21 national parks, 400 species of birds, 150 species of mammals, 300 species of reptiles, 50 species of frogs, 60 species of freshwater fish, and several hundred species of marine fish as well. Even if you’re not a fishing enthusiast, catching a barramundi in the NT is a must-do.
The Northern Territory provides visitors with a wide variety of outdoor activities and water sports from fishing to canoeing, hot air ballooning, biking, trekking, and camel riding, to name a few.
Darwin
Darwin is the tropical capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory and has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle with warm weather all year round. Perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides, Darwin is an excellent base to explore the natural attractions of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.
Darwin was founded as Australia’s most northerly harbor port in 1869, and its population rapidly expanded after the discovery of gold at nearby Pine Creek in 1871. World War II put Darwin on the map as a major allied military base for troops fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.
Today travelers can see evidence of Darwin’s World War II history at a variety of preserved sites including ammunition bunkers, airstrips and oil tunnels in and around the city. Darwin again made world news when the city was rebuilt in the wake of Cyclone Tracy in 1974 – an event well documented at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Its colorful history has contributed to Darwin’s cultural diversity – more than 50 nationalities make up its 100,000 population, including the area’s traditional landowners, the Larrakia Aboriginal people. The cultural and culinary benefits of such a melting pot are best experienced at Darwin’s weekly markets, variety of restaurants and through the annual calendar of festivals and other Darwin events.
Alice Springs
The heart of Central Australia is comprised of cavernous gorges, boundless desert landscapes, remote Aboriginal communities and a charming pioneering history. Alice Springs was established by the early explorers and remains as the centre of activity in this region.
From the early 1900s, the vast desert of Central Australia was explored for its promise of rubies and gold. Today, north of Alice is an adventure travel destination where visitors can still fossick for gems and explore the Australian desert while trekking, camping or four-wheel driving.
North-west of Alice, along the Tanami Track and south of Alice Springs in the Simpson Desert, the art styles and stories of the Aboriginal people give meaning to the surrounding landscape.
The most well-known natural highlights of Central Australia are the East and West MacDonnell Ranges that straddle Alice Springs and run for 223 kilometres.
Visitors to the NT’s Red Centre can enjoy views of dramatic scenery, bushwalking, swimming, four-wheel driving or quad-bike riding.
Culture, Nature and Environment
Australia’s Northern Territory is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, both listed for their natural and cultural legacy. These ancient natural marvels inspired the distinctive artistic styles of local Aboriginal populations that comprise the oldest continuing civilization on earth. Aboriginal people represent over one third of the Northern Territory’s population and they own over half the land, assuring that visitors to the area live a one of a kind cultural experience and provide back to the local communities.
Kakadu National Park, located in the Northern Territory’s Top End and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, in Australia’s Red Center, are two of the World Heritage enlisted sites located within the Northern Territory.
Kakadu National Park
Australia’s largest national park spans some 12,000 miles of vast floodplains, billabongs, pristine waterfalls, delicate lotus flowers and a large population of crocodiles. Kakadu National Park is a nature lover’s paradise and is also rich with Aboriginal art sites, especially rock art, some sites believed to be up to 20,000 years old. The park is listed by the UNESCO as both a natural and cultural site. It is jointly managed by the Australian Government and by the traditional owners of the land, the Bininj Aboriginal people.
Kakadu is home to over 1000 species of plants and a quarter of Australia’s freshwater fish species. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise where enthusiasts have the opportunity to spot more than a third of the bird species found in Australia. For the more serious birdwatcher, Kakadu is home to the endangered gouldian finch and red goshawk as well as several other species endemic to only this region. Millions of magpie geese also inhabit the northern wetlands providing a true spectacle.
According to archaeological studies, it’s believed that Aboriginal people have inhabited Kakadu for approximately 50,000 years. A visit to the park is an enriching experience in Aboriginal culture and its traditions of passing down through generations, laws, stories, and customs for tens of thousands of years. Visitors to Kakadu learn about the daily customs and traditions of the local Aboriginals exploring with them the spectacular bush environment and searching for traditional foods and medicines. Kakadu can also be explored on wildlife cruises past prehistoric crocodiles, from the air on a scenic light or on extended trips with a variety of local tour operators offering touring options to suite all budgets and time frames.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru / Ayers Rock, the world’s most famous monolith and a sacred site for the traditional owners the Anangu Aboriginal people exudes a sense of mysticism and immensity, providing a draw for visitors from around the world. Some 25 miles to the west of Uluru, majestically rises Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas) – a group of large domed formations that are the remains of an erosion that began around 500 million years ago. Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and the park was returned to the traditional Anangu owners in 1985. The park is currently managed jointly by Parks Australia and the Anangu Aboriginal people.
Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the traditional landowners. Archaeological studies suggest they have lived in the area for at least 22,000 years.
In addition to witnessing the marvellous spectacle of nature, visitors to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park can immerse themselves in the area’s local traditions and learn about the customs of the Anangu with local Aboriginal guides thus giving back to the community. Anangu guides lead walking tours around the base of Uluru sharing stories, bush food and discussing the symbolism of various rock art.
Visitors can also visit the Cultural Center that hosts art and craft demonstrations, bush tucker sessions, walks and cultural presentations.
Those looking for more fun and innovative ways to explore the area can join a sunrise or sunset camel ride to view the changing colours of Uluru from a secluded hilltop surrounded by desert oaks. More adventurous types will enjoy riding around Uluru on a late model Harley Davidson for a real sense of freedom in the Outback.
A wide range of accommodations are available in the nearby town of Yulara – from camp sites to five-star luxury resorts.
Air 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 a cost neutral basis, we have strengthened our position to manage through
this extremely difficult period for the airline industry.
“IATA forecasts 2009 losses in the airline industry of over $10 billion.
With ongoing global economic weakness and significantly lower airline
revenues, we still have much work to do to adapt to the profound impact of
this recession. The $1 billion of new liquidity will give us breathing room
towards achieving sustainable profitability. This will require a fundamental
repositioning of the airline with a focus on both cost management and a new
approach to revenue generation to offset the dramatic erosion in yield. I am
confident in our ability to meet the challenges ahead.”
Financings and Capital Contributions
————————————
On July 29, 2009, Air Canada entered into a financing agreement with GE
Canada Finance Holding Company, Export Development Canada, Aeroplan Canada
Inc., and ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. as lenders. GE Finance is acting as
Administrative Agent and GE Capital Markets Inc. and GE Capital Markets
(Canada) Ltd. are acting as arrangers. The secured financing extends a term
credit facility of up to $700 million (the Credit Agreement) on commercial
terms to Air Canada for the purpose of refinancing certain debt and to provide
funding for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
An initial drawdown of $600 million is available to Air Canada under the
Credit Agreement upon satisfaction of certain conditions. On or before the
first anniversary and subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, Air
Canada may request the increase of the facility by up to an additional $100
million by obtaining new commitments. Amounts drawn under the Credit Agreement
bear interest at a minimum annual rate of 12.75 percent.
The initial $600 million to be drawn under the Credit Agreement is
repayable, starting August 1, 2010, in equal consecutive quarterly
installments of $30 million with a final payment of $120 million due by the
fifth anniversary of the initial drawdown. Any increase to the facility would
increase, on a pro rata basis, the scheduled repayments, including the final
payment.
Air Canada’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a
security interest and hypothec over substantially all of the present and
after-acquired property of Air Canada and its subsidiaries. The Credit
Agreement is subject to customary commercial terms and conditions, including
certain financial covenants requiring Air Canada to maintain minimum liquidity
and a fixed charge coverage test.
As part of the transactions under the Credit Agreement, Air Canada will
issue to the lenders, concurrently with the first drawdown, warrants for the
purchase of Air Canada’s Class A variable voting shares or Class B voting
shares representing an aggregate of five percent of the total issued and
outstanding shares, to be allocated among the lenders based on their pro rata
lending commitments under the Credit Agreement. Subject to the terms of the
Credit Agreement, in the event that Air Canada does not grant additional
security over certain assets within 90 days of closing, Air Canada would be
required to issue to the lenders additional warrants representing up to an
additional five percent of the total issued and outstanding shares (determined
at the time of issuance of such additional warrants).
Air Canada has also obtained an extension of the repayment date under a
previous US $75 million (CAD $82 million) secured loan, now due in December
2013 (previously due December 2009).
In addition, Air Canada has concluded an agreement with a supplier,
conditional among other things, on completion and funding of the Credit
Agreement, which will provide Air Canada with a payment of approximately $220
million, in consideration of various contractual commitments.
Amended Credit Card Processor Agreement
—————————————
Air Canada has entered into further amendments to its agreements with one
of its principal credit card processors. Subject to certain conditions, the
amendments reduce the amount of cash deposits and security to be held by the
credit card processor, return deposits to Air Canada when the unrestricted
cash threshold increases to $1.1 billion from $800 million and thereafter
limit Air Canada’s obligation to post certain defined amounts of security in
the event that unrestricted cash is below $1.1 billion but above $800 million.
Pursuant to the terms of its agreements, Air Canada’s unrestricted cash
requirement increases from $800 million to $1.1 billion should Air Canada
maintain unrestricted cash of more than $1.2 billion for two consecutive
months.
Boeing 777 Sale Leaseback Agreement
———————————–
Air Canada has entered into a memorandum of understanding with GE Capital
Aviation Services (“GECAS”), for the sale and leaseback of three Boeing
777-300ER aircraft which, after payment of the sale price and subject to the
rights of the aircraft debt holders, will provide Air Canada with incremental
liquidity of approximately $122 million. The 12-year sale and leaseback
transactions are expected to be concluded prior to September 30, 2009 subject
to the completion of final documents and third party consents.
Amended Boeing 787 Purchase Agreement
————————————-
Air Canada and Boeing have agreed to amend the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
purchase agreement to reduce the number of options for additional Boeing 787
aircraft by ten, from 23 to 13, and to provide for purchase rights for ten
Boeing 787 aircraft. Air Canada continues to have 37 firm orders for Boeing
787 aircraft. Air Canada and Boeing also agreed to amend certain commercial
terms, including to revise delivery dates and to provide for certain financial
adjustments. Air Canada’s first Boeing 787 aircraft, is now scheduled for
delivery in the second half of 2013.
Repayment of Existing Credit Facilities
—————————————
Immediately prior to draw down under the Credit Agreement, Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce will assign to the new lenders under the facility
all of its right, title and interest in its secured credit facility with Air
Canada. Air Canada will also terminate its revolving loan agreement with
Aeroplan Canada Inc. and its secured engine facility for 22 engines. The
aggregate principal amounts outstanding repaid by Air Canada as a result of
the termination of these facilities is $117 million.
Seabury Group LLC acted as principal financial advisor to Air Canada on
these financings and other transactions.
%SEDAR: 00001324EF
Sky2Sea 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 of Sinai with the Bedu – our lasting friendships with indigenous people means we can go back to them time and again, but most of all go back welcomed.
S2SiUndiscovered takes people off the beaten track to destinations unheard or unthought-of. Destinations that are already popular are discovered in a new light always making sure the experience within a country is a real one.
S2SiExpedition for the ultimate week-long adrenaline hit! If people are time poor but adventure hungry this is a sure winner taking them from the sky to the sea with the14 adventure activities, 5 environments, 1 week, 1 country model in Canada, France, New Zealand and Patagonia.
CORPORATE CHALLENGES
S2Si staff have a heritage in project-based work around the world. We take company employees to complete worthwhile and sustainable projects as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility set-up. We run UK and US-based survival courses for team building and create Charity Challenges worldwide.
TV & FILM
S2Si carry out full expedition support for TV & Film crews wanting to work in extremes. All heath & safety, logistics, planning, medical support and communications can be provided and are tailored to clients needs.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
S2Si adhere to strict ethics and codes of conduct. We have a policy of inclusion on all of our trips so anybody of reasonable fitness who is over 18 can come on an adventure with us, regardless of previous experience in any adventure activities. We only ask that participants submit a medical review which is studied by our Medical Director for the safety of the team.
THE ADVENTURE TRAVEL COMMUNITY
S2Si is interested in networking with the Adventure Travel community and seeking new ways to promote our fantastic trips. We believe that nobody else offers the public and industry professionals what we do, so spreading the S2Si word is a priority!
We already offer ‘white labeling’ opportunities to tour operators such as Black Tomato and Baobab – if you are interested in white labeling opportunities please do get in touch.
We are always open to new ideas so if you think that you have a trip that could fit in to the S2SiTribal, S2SiUndiscovered portfolios, or can think of a new destination for the S2SiExpedition model then it would be good to make contact!
Quasar 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 the many opportunities we make available for intimate interaction with the environment and full immersion among the many indigenous elements: the essential ingredients in our unique brand of Galapagos travel. Our guests enjoy their days on the land of Charles Darwin through the many activities we offer like snorkeling, sea kayaking, diving, walks & hikes and dinghy rides. Our unmatched itineraries allow us to take our guests to even the most remote and fragile visitor sites of the archipelago, which are off-limits for larger ships. Aboard our cruises guests get the full breath of the inner and outer islands of the archipelago. They are able to experience prime habitat and all the great peak experiences of the archipelago’s full diversity.
We offer travel in yachts and small groups with family and friends: in company – on other words – that guarantees as much exploration or family adventure as safety allows, without ever being “lost in a crowd.” Many outfitters offer excursions to the islands, for example, in cruise ships packed with 50 or 100 passengers. But in this remarkable are of the world, you can gain a greater sense of being at one wit the natural world with our philosophy of intimacy, which also allows us to provide just the right amount of attention each traveler needs for a memorable and personal adventure.
Our profound concern for these unique landscapes has resulted in an earnest commitment to make stewardship of the Earth an integral element of our expedition voyages, through the many organizations and environmental projects that we support. Quasar Expeditions strives – for our visitors and for the sake of future generations – to maintain the Galapagos’ natural wonders in the same pristine condition that first inspired our mission over two decades ago.
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 to continue, travelers of conscience may be reluctant to support the government with their travel dollars.”
Sex tourism is a flourishing industry in Peru, where tourists have easy access to vulnerable children. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child estimated that there are up to 500,000 child victims of sexual exploitation and violence in Peru. But the Peruvian government’s efforts to eradicate the sex slave trade have been stalled by corruption, insufficient law enforcement, and apathy.
“Tourism is a major economic force in Peru, and inbound tourism is increasing by 10% every year,” says Greenwald. “This means that more children will fall victim to sex slavery, unless we take action now. By joining our voices, travelers can convince Peru to protect these children.”
Ethical Traveler’s campaign against child sex trafficking in Peru is being waged in partnership with Global Exchange, Not for Sale–Peru, Generación and Peruvian Net Against Child Pornography. For more on this campaign, or to sign and send a letter to the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, please visit www.ethicaltraveler.org
Up-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 about traveling again. It really appears to be a harbinger of things to come for later this year and into 2010,” states Mr. Genovese.
Great deals are still available for 2009 Alaska cruises. Cruise West has extended its Alaska 25 percent off sale through the end of the season for all Alaska cruises. In addition, on the following select dates the line is offering a $200 per person shipboard credit:
- Inside Passage August 20, 2009
- Whales & Wilderness July 29, August 5, August 26 and September 2, 2009
- Glacier Bay Highlights August 1, 2009
For more information or to book a cruise for your client call 1-800-689-1783. Travel Agents are encouraged to participate in Cruise West’s live online training programs – visit http://www.cruisewestagents.com/training.
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