LATIN TRAILS / GALAPAGOS JOURNEY FLEET
September 16, 2009
Discover Ecuador & Galapagos, your natural travel selection Contact: Marcel Perkins General Manager marcel@latintrails.com US & CANADA: 1-800-747-0567 WORLDWIDE: +593 2 2867377 More than 20 years ago, the Perkins family began organizing customized travel to South America for family and friends. What was a hobby, however, quickly became a passion and today, Marcel Perkins operates the specialty tour company Latin Trails, offering the same unique travel philosophy inspired by his parents, to Ecuador and Peru. Focusing on the rich, natural and cultural experiences of Ecuador and South America, Latin Trails offers inbound tours to the Galapagos Islands, Andes, Amazon, Ecuador Coast, Amazon and Machu Picchu. Guided tours, transportation, lodging and cruises are all aspects that can be easily handled by Latin Trails for individual tourists, tour operators, wholesalers, travel agents and tourism organizations. Each individual or small group trip is customized to create intimate travel... Read More →
Three Winners Named in National Geographic’s Geotourism Challenge 2009
September 16, 2009
Global Online Community Picks Leaders in Sustainable Tourism WASHINGTON—A “carbon neutral” airline in Costa Rica, a “voluntourism” program in rural Cambodia supporting local education, and a free community-mapping Web site in Spain have taken top honors in the second Geotourism Challenge, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers. The winners practice and advance the growing trend of geotourism: tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents. They were selected from 10 finalists out of 611 original entries from 81 countries. Entries for “Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place” almost doubled over the first Geotourism Challenge in 2008. All three cutting-edge, innovative winners provide visitors with the opportunity to participate in sustainable travel; each winner will receive a $5,000 prize: Nature Air, the 100 percent carbon-neutral... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesTeam Finland confirmed as Scandinavia’s debut entry in the Clipper 09-10 Ten-Month Round-the-World Yacht Race
September 15, 2009
Finland has been confirmed as an entry in the Clipper 2009-2010 Round the World Yacht Race, a debut for the Scandinavian country in the biennial event. The yacht, named Team Finland will compete against nine identical stripped down 68-foot racing yachts in the 35,000 mile race around the world, beginning September 13, 2009 and ending July 17, 2010. Team Finland’s nine competitorsare each sponsored by an international city, region or country, including Uniquely Singapore, Qingdao, Jamaica, and Hull & Humber, all of whom will be making return appearances having recognized that the Clipper Race provides a unique platform for delivering global market exposure. Joining the race for the first time will be California, whose participation has been endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger following the Clipper fleet’s inaugural visit to the state in the last edition of the race. Cape Breton Island, Spirit of Australia and Cork are also making their debuts and are joined by Edinburgh Inspiring... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesWild Scotland
September 15, 2009
Scottish Wildlife and Nature Tourism Operators Association Contact: Caroline Warburton, Manager Email: info@wild-scotland.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)845 226 0978 Web: www.wild-scotland.org.uk Wild Scotland When people think about wildlife watching destinations, they often think of the places where they might see the large, attention-grabbing species, such as elephants or tigers. Do people think of Scotland? I suspect not, but we’re trying to change that! In Scotland we may not have lions or polar bears, however thousands of people come wildlife watching in Scotland each year. In fact we reckon that have some of the best wildlife-watching experiences in Europe. Some of the Best Wildlife Watching in Europe? OK, convince me… There can’t be many places that have such as varied range of wildlife watching activities on offer, here are some suggestions of what you might see: from the iconic, such as our ‘Famous Grouse’ and majestic red deer, to the charismatic, our puffin colonies never... Read More →
Member Press Releases Trade EventsImportant industry backing as PATA embarks on new Adventure
September 15, 2009
PATA has received important backing from two influential organisations for its 2010 Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart in Nepal. The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are endorsing this important PATA event, taking place at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu on 1-5 February 2010. The Conference and Mart will create important platforms for discussing and promoting environmental protection and social sustainability. Speakers confirmed include Shannon Stowell, President of the US-based Adventure Trade Trade Association (ATTA), Jose Dominic, CEO of CGH, Kerala; Naranjan Khatri, GM for Environment at ITC Welcome Group in India, Tony Jones, Founding Director of Nepal’s Himalyan Encounter and Australia-based Intrepid Travel CEO Darrell Wade. PATA is working with ATTA and IUCN to identify additional key-note speakers to participate in this exciting programme. Conference sessions include: Adventure... Read More →
Adventure Show ASIA 2009
September 15, 2009
Member Press ReleasesMetropolitan Touring Opens New Office in Chile
September 15, 2009
A regional approach to the travel experience in Latin America During the last couple of years, Metropolitan Touring has been strengthening its capacities and abilities beyond Ecuador. The process involved the opening of new offices at the best sites along Latin America. We are now happy to announce the beginning of our operation in Chile, by end-September 2009; the latest step in the company’s development in Latin America. Our purpose is to provide our valued partners with the best services and expertise in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Peru; in combination with Metropolitan Touring’s constant search of new developments in travel exploration in each country, and an environmentally friendly operation. Metropolitan Touring’s CEO, Mr. Roque Sevilla emphasized that this venture reaffirms the company’s commitment to provide clients with a Latin America one-stop shop solution, combined with the Destination Management expertise of specially trained hands-on local staff in each country. Founded... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesEMFF 2009 LOOKS SET TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS
September 15, 2009
Extreme climbers, global adventurers and inspiring films form best line up yet The 7th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival runs 16-18 October 2009 at George Square Lecture Theatre in Edinburgh. As always, it promises to be a weekend packed full of inspiration and entertainment, with an impressive diversity of speakers and a selection of films delivering lots of high drama and painful wipeouts! The EMFF has built a reputation as a fun, lively and inspiring event and this year looks set to continue that trend. Highlights will include a lecture by madcap American climber Timmy O’Neill – known for scaling towering cliffs and high rise buildings, often without the security of a rope. Top Scottish climbers Dave MacLeod and Gary Latter provide home-grown inspiration and the line up is completed by global adventurers Patrick Winterton (who recently sea kayaked from Scotland to the Faroe Islands) and Katie-Jane Cooper & Tarka L’Herpiniere (the first people to trek the entire 4,500km... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesMOSER active
September 15, 2009
TREKKING VACATIONS & MOUNTAIN EXPEDITIONS IN CHILE – PATAGONIA ABOUT US MOSER active is one of the leading tour operators in Chile-Patagonia, specialized in extraordinary and top-quality trekking, hiking and mountain expeditions in Patagonia and the rest of Chile. Christian Moser established MOSER active and is still the general manager of the enterprise. Christian is responsible for the marketing, sales and product management. Additionally, he is our mountain expedition leader. All of the tours MOSER active offers have been explored and arranged by Christian himself. Whenever time allows, he enjoys being out in the fascinating world of mountains and glaciers of Patagonia and other parts of Chile; he is constantly on the lookout for unique routings for his customers. MOSER active’s enthusiastic team of trekking and mountain guides shares Christians love for the beauty of this unique mountain world. All guides are regularly trained and instructed according to MOSER active’s... Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: DestinationsUpdate on the situation in Kampala 11 September 2009
September 11, 2009
Editor’s Note: ATTA Member Volcanoes Safaris has just issued the following: Update on the situation in Kampala 11 September 2009 During the last two days there have been reports of civil disturbance in a few areas of Kampala city sparked off by local political issues. The Government has taken steps to restore law and order and most of Kampala is calm now and has returned to normal. Volcanoes Safaris is monitoring the situation and will inform agents/clients if there is any change. Clients safety is paramount to the company and if required we will change safari programs to minimize inconvenience or risk to clients. At present travel to and from Kampala is proceeding normally. If you have any enquiries please address them to carol@volcanoessafaris.com Read More →
