Asia Transpacific Journeys Garners Three Awards: Prestigious Travel Magazines Cite Philanthropy, Travel Commitment
October 29, 2009
BOULDER, CO – Asia Transpacific Journeys, an Asia tour company, received three awards in November 2009 for their commitment to philanthropy, regional expertise and in-depth knowledge of travel in Asia, announced Marilyn Downing Staff, founder and CEO. Travel + Leisure magazine presented the annual Global Vision Award to the Asia Transpacific Foundation for their outreach in Myanmar (Burma), where the non-profit foundation creates and operates locally staffed production facilities that produce simple ceramic water filters, which in turn provide clean drinking water to undeveloped rural areas in Asia. National Geographic Adventure magazine gave the company star billing in its “25 Best New Trips for 2010” feature story, recognizing Asia Transpacific Journeys exploration of Laos. “Northern Laos has such a remarkable natural setting”, noted Downing Staff, “where vertical limestone mountains meet up with the Nam Ou River which winds through the area and is perfect for exploration.”... Read More →
ATTA Press ReleasesAdventure Travel Trade Association Selects Aviemore, Scotland to Host the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit
October 29, 2009
(SEATTLE) – OCTOBER 29, 2009 – The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) announced its selection of Scotland as the host destination of the seventh Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), the annual global assembly of adventure tourism executives, in 2010, which is scheduled for October 4-7. During last week’s 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Québec, Canada, attended by more than 500 delegates representing nearly 50 countries, the ATTA announced its selection of Scotland. The ATTA decided on Scotland after a lengthy and detailed review, including several presentations and site visits, of destinations worldwide. Salta, Argentina, was the first runner-up in the bidding process. “Hosting this summit is an excellent opportunity for both Scotland and the Adventure Travel Trade Association to highlight the many options for adventure travel, business and recreation in Scotland,” said Minister for Tourism Jim Mather. “It is vital that we continue to look at new and innovative... Read More →
Must Read/ViewAdventure Travel – Why It Matters
October 26, 2009
Delivered by Adventure Travel Trade Association President Shannon Stowell, October 21, 2009 at the Adventure Travel World Summit, Quebec, Canada. “In the past I’ve delivered ‘state of the industry’ addresses mostly based on facts that the ATTA has gathered and surveys we have done- a lot of quantitative data. Now, as ATTA matures, it’s time to talk about a bigger picture. And we’ve heard you: as we’ve matured, you have raised the bar for us; you’ve asked us to grow in our leadership role and to share our vision. In Fortune Magazine this year an article called Who’s Up, Who’s Down- Ranked within Industries, the opener goes like this: “In a historic year of red ink, among the worst hit were banks, automakers, homebuilders, airlines and hotels. A few industries managed to stay aloft, thanks to the necessity of their products and services: pharma, hospitals and defense.” Clearly we operate in an undervalued industry. This is shortsighted since tourism is a cross-industry... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesSven Lindblad Receives 2009 Climate Champion Award
October 22, 2009
From Cool Air-Clean Planet, the leading science-based, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated solely to finding and promoting solutions to global warming New York, NY – Sven-Olof Lindblad, founder of Lindblad Expeditions, received a Climate Champion Award from Clean Air-Cool Planet for his leadership in corporate climate action at an awards dinner in Boston on October 15th. Clean Air-Cool Planet is the leading science-based, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated solely to finding and promoting solutions to global warming. Lindblad was honored for his lifelong commitment to global conservation issues. “It is a pleasure to be able to award Sven Lindblad, who has dedicated his life to conservation of natural resource and biodiversity, with this year’s Climate Champion Award for individual leadership in climate action” said Clean Air-Cool Planet CEO Adam Markham. “Under his leadership, Lindblad Expeditions has become a world leader in bringing people to the world’s... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases By the NumbersProduct, Marketing Strategies To Shift in 2010 According to First Half 2009 Adventure Travel Tour Operator Study
October 15, 2009
Results of an August-September 2009 Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) first-half of 2009 survey, which reveals the perspectives of 287 tour operators spanning 51 countries, reflects changes in traveler interests and behaviors which are influencing tour operators’ product and marketing approaches planned in 2010. Participating tour operators, which together serve roughly two million customers annually, in responding to a series of questions concerning actual and perceptual changes in consumer behaviors experienced between January and June 2009, reported that travelers are showing increased interest in the following: Custom itineraries: 84% (i.e., 84% of operators reported an increased interest) Shorter duration trips: 73% Closer-to-home, shorter haul trips: 55% Activity based adventures: 79% Cultural-interaction adventures: 70% Volunteering within travel: 40% Multigenerational travel: 55% According to the ATTA study, customers of surveyed tour operators also showed... Read More →
ATTA Press ReleasesFjord Norway’s Jørgensen Joins Adventure Travel Advisory Board
October 14, 2009
(SEATTLE) – OCTOBER 14, 2009 – Kristian B. Jørgensen, Managing Director of the Fjord Norway Tourist Board, today was named to the Adventure Travel Trade Association Advisory Board. As Managing Director of Fjord Norway, Jørgensen oversees a region that is found in the Western part of Norway and stretches from Stavanger in the south to Ålesund in the north. Fjord Norway is a region that was rated by National Geographic Traveler’s panel of specialists as the world’s most attractive, unspoiled and best cared for UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Kristian brings a pragmatic yet progressive viewpoint to the ATTA and his interest and vision for Norway and adventure travel is right in line with how the ATTA views the importance of the sector,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. Jørgensen also brings exceptional destination marketing expertise, innovative sustainable tourism sensibilities and important European perspectives to the ATTA, a global trade association representing members... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases By the NumbersAdventure Travel Trade Association Achieves Key Milestones in 2009: Membership Growth, World Summit Registrations
October 13, 2009
(SEATTLE) – OCTOBER 13, 2009 – With the October 12, 2009, addition of Mexican tour operator Ecoaventura Mexicana, the global Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has grown to 500 corporate memberships representing 56 countries. More than 100 organizations have joined the ATTA since January 2009, setting a new, one-year membership growth record, with more than two months remaining in the period. Additionally, the ATTA late last week eclipsed the 500 pre-registered delegate mark for its 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit, a trade-only executive gathering set for October 19-22, 2009, in Québec, Canada. “Since re-launching the association in 2005 with around 100 members, our network has continued to grow, mature and effectively adapt its approach to reflect the ever-increasing needs of the global adventure travel community,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “I am particularly pleased that now 500 organizations believe in the vision and benefits of the ATTA. Registering growth,... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesGuyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative
October 12, 2009
Guyana www.guyanabirding.com South America’s Undiscovered Nature Destination Contact: Kirk Smock Senior Writer Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative E: ksmock@carana.com P: 917.239.7920 GUYANA: South America’s Undiscovered Nature Destination Guyana lies where the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s four remaining large tracts of relatively undisturbed tropical rainforest, meets the Amazon Basin in a breathtaking collision of nature. With verdant rainforest carpeting 80 percent of the country, and other habitats varying from exotic mangroves to wild coastal swamps, rugged Atlantic beaches, lofty mountain ranges and sprawling savannahs that conjure comparisons to eastern Africa, Guyana offers the chance to view remarkable wildlife against the backdrop of one of the world’s most unspoiled natural wilderness areas. Framed by Venezuela, Brazil, Suriname and the Atlantic Ocean, Guyana is a paradise for nature lovers. Besides the lure of millions of acres of primary rainforest, South America’s... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours Teams with Bicycles for Humanity-Colorado
October 12, 2009
Partnership Aims to Provide Bikes – and Much Needed Mobility – to Rural Africans FORT COLLINS, Colo. — September 28, 2009. — In Africa, girls are 70 percent more likely to attend school if their family owns a bike. Healthcare workers can visit up to four times as many patients if they have a bike and people with bikes can travel five times as fast as they can on foot. Poor transportation means poor access to healthcare, economic and education opportunities. Simply put: bicycles can change a life. Bicycles for Humanity-Colorado (B4H) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization solving the lack of mobility which is a leading impediment to development and access to critical healthcare services. By providing donated used bicycles to rural African healthcare professionals, B4H dramatically increases the volume and breadth of healthcare services. Based in Colorado, Bicycles for Humanity has distributed more than 800 used bikes in Namibia. And now, with new partner ExperiencePlus! Bicycle... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesThomson promotes adventurous new Kilimanjaro route
October 12, 2009
Boston, Mass. — Trekkers eager to take the less traveled path up Mount Kilimanjaro can now climb an adventurous new route offered by Thomson Safaris (http://www.thomsontreks.com). Winding through Kilimanjaro’s remote wilds over 10 days, the Grand Traverse ventures over an exclusive path that gradually winds up the mountain’s northern reaches. Trekkers will have outstanding views of the famed wildlife-filled plains that span Tanzania and Kenya and more time to explore the mountain’s towers, caves, and glaciers. A gradual terrain also allows for maximum acclimatization and the best opportunity for a successful summit. “The Grand Traverse is the ULTIMATE way to experience Kilimanjaro,” exclaims Katie Cordes, Thomson’s Kilimanjaro manager. “You will be awed by the breathtaking viewsalong this remote and exclusive route, with more time to acclimatize and to enjoy the mountain’s diverse wilderness and habitats.” Beginning at Londorossi... Read More →
