Praveen Moman Joins Adventure Travel Trade Association Advisory Board
December 16, 2009
(SEATTLE) – Praveen Moman, co-founder and managing director of Uganda-based Volcanoes Safaris, today was named to the Adventure Travel Trade Association Advisory Board. Moman, who has actively advised the Adventure Travel Trade Association in recent years and served in active roles as an Adventure Travel World Summit speaker and committee member, was born in Uganda and grew up on safari. In 1997, he co-founded Volcanoes Safaris, which has since become one of Africa’s premier gorilla safari companies with operations in Uganda and Rwanda. Under his leadership, Volcanoes Safaris has developed a unique great ape eco-tourism model by empowering staff, introducing eco-tourism partnership programs, and launching new approaches to building and running eco-lodges in post-conflict areas. As an authority on great ape ecotourism, Moman acts as a consultant to governments and non-profit organizations. “In addition to being a long-time partner – one with great wit, humor and personality – Praveen... Read More →
ATTA EventsUpdates: 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit, Early Bird Deadline Set, “Suggest a Speaker” Process Introduced
December 16, 2009
Early Bird Registration Announced For the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s October 4-7, 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit in Aviemore, Scotland, the ATTA has set its Early Bird special pricing registration to expire April 15, 2010. Already, more than 50 adventure travel industry executives have pre-registered for the annual gathering which is expected to sell out early at 600 delegates. The First Minister of Scotland will be opening the event, the networking will be as powerful as always, media are lining up, the ATTA has identified great speakers and entertainment, and delegates will get the first-hand opportunity to experience the great outdoors in the legendary Scottish Highlands. For the ATTA’s 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Quebec, there were 535 registrations representing 43 countries – an event which achieved a 95%+ very satisfied/satisfied rating from nearly 200 detailed survey responses. Register for the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit now to guarantee your... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesJordan Tourism Board, North America A Sponsor at The USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace 2009
December 16, 2009
McLean, VA – On December 8, the Jordan Tourism Board North America (JTBNA), along with American Express, will sponsor the Member Opening Luncheon at the United States Tour Operator Association’s (USTOA) Annual Conference and Marketplace at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotels & Spa in Banff, Alberta, Canada. JTBNA will present the same level of commitment the Kingdom is taking towards making sustainable tourism a priority in Jordan. Robin Tauck, of Robin Tauck & Partners, will also give her insight and expertise on sustainable tourism using her recent visit to Petra as the backdrop of her cause. During the conference, JTBNA will continue to highlight the upcoming 3rd annual Jordan Travel Mart (JTM), Feb. 21-23, 2010 at the Dead Sea, Jordan, where USTOA President Bob Whitley was a keynote speaker at the 2009 conference. “Jordan is one of the hottest new destinations for travelers and having someone of Bob Whitley’s stature speak at Jordan Travel Mart gave... Read More →
ATTA Member ProfilesLark Tours
December 15, 2009
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A., Lark Tours is a full-service tour operator that focuses exclusively on offering private luxury vacations and safaris in Africa. Founded in 2005, Lark Tours was developed based on the knowledge that in order to truly experience Africa on an intimate level, private journeys are an absolute must. Since then, we have been bringing fresh energy to the world of travel with our innovative approach, and in the process, we have redefined what it means to have an unforgettable vacation experience in Africa. While most companies offer a number of set itineraries with scheduled departure dates, thus forcing guests to fit within their framework, we do just the opposite. Whether we are working with a couple, a family, a group of friends, an organization, or a travel professional in need of an itinerary for his or her clients, our goal is to fit within the framework of our guests. We do so by creating and operating private vacation itineraries that are personalized... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesClimate Vigil Rally Chitral, Pakistan
December 11, 2009
A vigil rally in Booni, northern Chitral, Pakistan was organized through the facilitation of CAMAT [Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism]. The objectives of the placard bearing rally was to showcase solidarity and show support to the climate change SOS Copenhagen and to highlight the issues of climate change in the Hindu Kush mountains that has already posed a serious challenge to the communities living here. The participants were mostly students of Government High School Booni and Pamir Public School apart from business community, political leadership, social workers and people from different walk of life. The rally walked for a kilometer before concentrating at the main Booni square where teachers, political leadership and business community representatives addressed them. It was maintained that for the last three decades there has been a considerable degradation to the natural environment is inevitably linked to global warming. The destruction of the village Sonoghor and Brep... Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: SustainabilityRainforest Alliance Join Forces with Gap Adventures and Planeterra To Promote Responsible Business Practices
December 11, 2009
Partnership to Create New Opportunities for Sustainable Tourism Companies in Costa Rica TORONTO – Costa Rican hotel owners and managers who are committed to eco-tourism and sustainability now have a new way to offer and promote their adventure travel services thanks to an agreement recently signed by the international conservation group Rainforest Alliance, North American tour operator Gap Adventures and the nonprofit voluntourism organization Planeterra. Gap Adventures and Planeterra will now promote to its customers those Costa Rican tourism businesses that have either achieved a Tourism Sustainability Certificate awarded by ICT (the Costa Rican Tourism Board) or that are part of the Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Tourism program. With this agreement, Gap Adventures and Planeterra join 40 other international tour operators in Europe and North America that are now working with the Rainforest Alliance. Founded in 2003 by Gap Adventures, Planeterra is a nonprofit organization dedicated... Read More →
Media BuzzMariah Media and Resort Sports Network Partner to Launch the “Outside Television Network”
December 7, 2009
A Joint Venture That Will Rebrand the Existing RSN Network Santa Fe, NM – Mariah Media Inc., publisher of Outside magazine, America’s leading active-lifestyle publication, today announced a partnership with Resort Sports Network (RSN) to bring Outside’s award-winning coverage to life with the launch of the Outside Television Network. This will be a complete rebranding of the existing Resort Sports Network, the national television network that specializes in creating and distributing outdoor-lifestyle content to premier vacation destinations throughout the country. The network—which currently reaches 61 million viewers annually, is distributed to 110 destinations, and is the number-one-rated channel in its markets as measured by Nielsen Media Research—will debut as the Outside Television Network on June 1, 2010. The joint venture will unite two prominent leaders with large bases of both active and affluent consumers in the active-lifestyle categories. This unprecedented deal will... Read More →
Industry Partner NewsAeroGal Begins First-Ever Ecuador/NYC Air Service
December 4, 2009
Five-Star Service and Amenities with Ecuadorian Flair NEW YORK, N.Y. – On Monday, December 7, 2009, AeroGal, Ecuador’s premier airline, will begin nonstop daily service between John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4, to José Joaquin de Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil, “the Pearl of the Pacific.” AeroGal will be the only Ecuadorian airline to fly into New York City. They are also the only Ecuadorian airline to fly to the United States, having initiated a flight to Miami in 2007. The New York route is expected to serve native Ecuadorians returning to their homeland as well as leisure travelers set on exploring Ecuador, rich in culture and boasting the most biodiversity per square kilometer of any place in the world. Ecuadorians are the largest South American Latino group in New York City and New York State, with the highest concentration at more than 100,000 in Queens County, where JFK is located. With a premium on first-rate service and comfort, AeroGal is raising the bar... Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: SustainabilityAdding CSR Value to Travel Discounts: Natural Habitat Adventures joins operators worldwide with ‘Eco-Pricing” initiative
December 4, 2009
Boulder, Colorado – In response to concerns from its operators and suppliers in remote destinations about the impact of diminishing ecotourism dollars during a tough economy, Natural Habitat Adventures worked with the small businesses to create a collaborative discount pricing strategy that encourages guest travel while supporting conservation measures. Branded as “Eco-Pricing,” the consumer discounts communicate the conservation impact of travel – central to the eco tour provider’s sustainable travel message – using the example of Natural Habitat Adventures “Great African Primate Expedition,” where tour dollars help protect Uganda’s mountain gorillas. “We’re always looking for that next idea that will support our sustainable travel message,” says Natural Habitat Adventures founder and director Ben Bressler, whose company was first in the U.S. to go carbon neutral with all trips and office operations several years ago. “It suddenly hit us that in challenging... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesEcoventura Focuses on Fitness of the Species: Introduces Local and Organic Foods, Healthy Menus on Galapagos Cruises
December 4, 2009
MIAMI – Ecoventura has raised the small ship cruising bar in the Galapagos yet again. Its culinary-school trained chefs have introduced a reduced calorie, healthy dining menu built around natural and organic foods purchased locally from island farmers. Said Santiago Dunn, owner, “In general, our yachts tend to attract a more active and health conscious clientele who are also concerned about environmental issues. We make it our mission to cater to our clients with more varied activities on the Islands taking full advantage of snorkeling, longer interpretive hikes, kayaking, even scuba diving,” he continued. “We have specifically tweaked our menus to avoid fried foods and high calorie sauces while reducing the fat and sodium content that may be popular with locals but not with our guests.” Already the leader in responsible, sustainable travel in the Galapagos, Ecoventura’s pacesetting approach to healthier fare underscores, he added, “our holistic approach to Galapagos cruising:... Read More →
