Wild Frontiers Takes Over Silk Road and Beyond
January 28, 2010
Multi-award winning adventure travel company Wild Frontiers is delighted to announce the acquisition of the tailor-made specialist tour operator Silk Road and Beyond.
The tie-up, completed this week, brings together two highly regarded companies offering quality, knowledge-based travel, with the former specialising in unique, off- the-beaten-track, small group adventures, and the latter in bespoke luxury holidays. Both companies take pride in the quality of their experience-led products and also their culture of offering exceptional levels of customer service. The enlarged company now becomes one of the best choices for clients at the specialised and innovative end of the adventure travel market.
- Both business have repeat and referral rates exceeding 50%
- Combining group travel with a high-end, tailor-made service offers an exceptionally wide array of products
- Bringing the two teams together will form a group of consultants with in-depth knowledge and unparalleled experience in our chosen areas of the world, particularly North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent
Both Wild frontiers and Silk Road and Beyond have enjoyed uninterrupted growth since their inceptions in 2002. And with a growing number of Wild Frontiers clients looking for bespoke holidays, the takeover of a well-respected specialist will enable continued expansion into this crucial sector of the market.
Jonny Bealby, founder and MD of Wild Frontiers said, ‘With the growth in our own tailor-made portfolio we have been looking for some time for the right company to give us added knowledge, experience and systems to expand this vital area. Unlike the plethora of ‘world specialists’ who purport to be experts in a hundred destinations, Silk Road and Beyond, like Wild Frontiers, is a knowledge-based business, with product that broadly speaking mirrors our own. So while the number of destinations we cover may not increase significantly, the services we will be able to provide within them, will. I am sure in Silk Road and Beyond we have found the perfect partner.
Nigel Fisher, director of Silk Road and Beyond, agrees, ‘Joining forces with Wild Frontiers will bring huge benefits to both our existing clients, and help us recruiting new ones in the future. With the now combined option of small group travel and our own specialist tailor-made product, for the locations we visit we have now become an extremely attractive one-stop shop.
The combined company will now operated from Wild Frontiers’ offices in Fulham, West London.
JITOA “Destination Management Certificate” Program offered to boost the expertise of Jordan Tourism Professionals
January 28, 2010
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) in cooperation with the International Institute of Tourism Studies at the George Washington University (GWU) and under the USAID / Jordan Tourism Development Project II, conducted special certification program for tourism professionals in Jordan for two weeks during January 2010, titled “Destination Management Certificate (DMC)” Program.
This program aims to increase the professionalism within the destination management industry in Jordan by establishing a level of knowledge and performance necessary for certification; recognizing and raising industry standards and practices; and maximizing the value of the products and services that certified destination management professionals can provide.
Destination Management courses are designed for tourism destination managers & marketers, hotel developers, tour operators, business owners, government officials and others concerned with enhancing the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of tourism destinations. Through the use of expert analysis, tools, best practices, benchmarks and case studies. Emphasis in this program would be placed on minimizing the negative impacts of tourism and preserving cultural and natural resources, while optimizing tourism’s overall contribution to economic development in host communities.
One of JITOA’s main pillars is Tourism Sector Human Resources Capacity Building, through providing professional training and certification programs. The importance of these programs revolves in supporting and developing company’s personnel, to help improve tourism services in Jordan, and raise the standards of services while enhancing the tourist experience.
The DMC course series will serve as a means to showcase the Tourism Training programs offered through JITOA as well as a forum to train potential trainers for future delivery of the GWU program in Jordan. Each student completing the courses will receive a certificate from GWU. Courses include six different topics; Tourism Destination Policy & Planning, Tourism Marketing and Branding, Ecotourism, protected Area and Community Development, E-Marketing and Internet Applications, Customer Service for Tourism Organizations, Community-based Tourism.
Mr. Nizar Al Adarbeh, JITOA CEO said “this program focuses on competitive positioning of Jordan as a major tourist destination and helps us in our commitment to raise sustainable development principles and practices of the Jordan Tourism Sector, and relatively optimizing tourism’s overall contribution to economic development”.
The course conducted by 4 professional trainers of the GWU; Dr. Donald Hawkins, Randall Durband, Dr. Philippe Duverger, and Dr. Crist Inman, and concluded on the 24th January 2010.
It’s worth mentioning that JITOA have had a very successful partnership with The George Washington University (GWU), and offered several professional certification programs during the past years, of which are the Event Management Program (EMP) Certificate and the DMC late 2004. Till today JITOA has shown a remarkable success through its diverse training courses for professional business skills development, such as, English for Tourism and Hotels and Business Writing skills and many more.
Niche Market Stands to Boost Jordan’s Tourism Industry
January 28, 2010
Amman, Jordan – The Kingdom of Jordan may be able to tap a wealth of cultural assets through “voluntourism”, according to tourism industry experts.
David Clemmons, an expert on the niche market and editor of the e-trade publication Voluntourist, said the concept caters to those who would like to leave a lasting impact on the community they visit.
“It wasn’t until voluntourism that we as travellers could express our gratitude,” Clemmons told The Jordan Times.
“There is a need not only to take something back home, but to leave something behind, to leave a piece of the traveler. This is where we see this market heading,” he said.
The concept originated with Western backpackers staying with families in South America and looking for ways to help the local community, according to industry leaders.
Over the past decade, the voluntourism market has grown, with tourists engaging in volunteer activities on all five continents, ranging from building local schools to aiding in harvests.
The 2009 Forecast Poll by Travelocity.com revealed that 13 percent of travelers planned on including volunteer service as a part of their leisure itineraries last year.
According to Clemmons, Jordan has a culture of “hospitality” that can be marketed to facilitate several different types of voluntourism exchanges, and raise the Kingdom’s profile as a stand-alone destination. The types of activities offered, however, NGOs have to determine, he added.
During a seminar sponsored by the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) gathering NGOs and tour operators on Thursday, Rabee Zureikat highlighted the success of his initiative, “Zikra”, in fostering cultural exchange.
Other long-standing initiatives include the Iraq Al Amir women’s cooperative and Bani Hamida, where cultural products are ready to be marketed. Others, such as the Al Ayoun Trail, developed by the Tourism Ministry and local municipalities in Ajloun, utilise hiking and natural scenery to facilitate encounters with local residents.
Brother Andrew, director of the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf, underlined that institutions whose sole focus is non-cultural may provide opportunities for “volunteering”.
Industry stakeholders mostly agreed that although there is potential in Jordanian voluntourism, this type of tourist offering needs to be developed to be presented to tourists looking to plan their holiday.
Wendy Botham, director of Petra Moon Tourism Services, said NGOs need to develop and showcase products so that operators will know what to market to consumers.
“We have the opportunity to start from the ground up and develop professional products to offer visitors,” she noted.
NGOs underlined a need for training on how to take advantage of their services and involve foreign visitors.
NGOs lack the business savvy, product development and pricing mechanisms that tend to be common knowledge in the private sector, while operators may not be as aware of local cultural assets and opportunities for exchange as organisations well-immersed in the community, according to Clemmons.
As part of an effort to introduce the niche market to the sector, JITOA sponsored a field trip to various initiatives on Friday, and held several seminars by Clemons for both NGOs and tour operators.
The seminars are part of the EU/Jordan Service Modernisation Programme.
In its second phase, JITOA intends to meet with NGOs in order to present activities to tour operators and develop a web portal showcasing NGOs’ services, opportunities and schedules of events, according to JITPA CEO Nizar Adarbeh.
He said JITOA is looking to develop a code of conduct and guidelines for tourists, tour operators and NGOs on voluntourism in order to promote best practices in the nascent sector.
With the interest of industry operators and NGOs “piqued”, he expressed hope that the voluntourism concept will take root in the Kingdom soon.
“We are just at the beginning, and we need to give a helping hand to support good causes in Jordan,” he said.
Clemmons agreed. “Through voluntourism you can open up the heart of a traveller and open up the heart of a destination,” he said.
The Icarus Foundation Releases Climate Change-Tourism Discussion Paper, Adds to Growing Body of Knowledge
January 27, 2010
Adding to recent discussions concering climate change and tourism (including ATTA Member and Partner Xola Consulting’s 2009 release of Adventure Tourism Companies & Climate Change: Observations from the Himalaya, Amazon, and Polar Regions Spark Adaptation Strategies for Business), The Icarus Foundation today released a new discussion paper about the role of Canadian Tourist Boards and their efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The study, led by Dr. Rachel Dodds, who recently contributed to a panel on sustainable tourism at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit, on behalf of Icarus, examines through key stakeholder interviews, the role of tourist boards in mitigating and adapting to climate change in Canada.
The new study complements a growing body of knowledge within the travel and leisure market – including recent work by the Xola Consulting, The George Washington University and the ATTA – that is aiding the entire adventure travel supply chain, most notably DMOs and tour operators.
Click here and scroll down the page to access and download the full report. Questions or feedback regarding the report? Visit the Foundation’s blog.
Torrential Rain, Landslides Wreak Havoc, Take Lives at Machu Picchu
January 27, 2010
According to Radio Netherlands Worldwide (and corroborated by numerous news sources):
Severe weather in the Peruvian Andes has claimed the lives of at least seven people. Among them are an Argentinian and a Peruvian guide.
They were killed in a landslide at Machu Picchu, the site famous for its ancient Inca ruins.
Torrential rain in southern Peru has caused flooding and landslides. Around 2000 tourists are stranded at Machu Picchu, because there are no trains running on the only railway line to the city of Cusco.
Click here to read more and/or use Google News to source additional report.
Passports with Purpose Succeeds in Raising Funds to Build School in Cambodia
January 26, 2010
Passport School to Receive Clean Water, Garden, Medical Care with Additional Funds Raised
SEATTLE, WA – Passports with Purpose (PwP) completed its second annual collaborate fundraiser on December 21, 2009 by raising over USD $27,500 to build a school in rural Cambodia through American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC). The “Passport School” will be built in the region of Preah Vihear by summer 2010. When the original goal of USD $13,000 to build the school was met just one week into the fundraiser, the founders of PwP, Beth Whitman, Debbie Dubrow, Michelle Duffy and Pam Mandel, decided to double the goal to raise additional funds to support the children of the Passport School with clean water, healthy meals, and medical care.
“We have been absolutely astounded at how many people were willing to help support this effort. It’s a great testament to what just $10 can do when hundreds of people work together towards a common goal,” said Debbie Dubrow. On November 30, 2009, Passports with Purpose launched with support from sponsors Virtuoso, Best Travel Deals, BootsNall Got Passport: Will Travel, We’ll Serve, HomeAway, HostelBookers, Travelfish, TravellersPoint Travel Community and Uptake. People who donated to AAfC were entered to win over 60 amazing prizes, from travel getaways and the latest travel gear to specialty items and unique experiences.
“One billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their name and about 72 million children of primary school age in the developing world were not in school in 2005,” said Michelle Duffy. “I am a co-founder of Passports with Purpose because of statistics such as these. I passionately believe that every child should have access to basic education. I also believe that education is a way out of poverty.”
“I’m simply overwhelmed by the generosity of our travel community and the ability to harness social networking and the Internet to make this happen – especially in this economy,” continued Beth Whitman. Over 80 travel bloggers helped secure a prize, encouraged their readers to donate to PwP, hosted the PwP badge or blogged about the effort.
“We believe in the power of travel to create change. Everyone who participated in Passports with Purpose this year made that true,” added Pam Mandel. “Our school, where kids in recovering war ravaged Cambodia will learn, eat, get their scrapes bandaged and grow up with hope for something better, is real because of all the participants.”
PwP founders are planning a tour to Cambodia through Whitman’s company (and ATTA member), Wanderlust and Lipstick, for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Passport School in the summer of 2010. For more details about Passports with Purpose 2010 visit www.PassportsWithPurpose.com and for more info about the tour, contact Beth Whitman at beth@WanderlustAndLipstick.com.
Travel Shows Signs of Muted Growth
January 26, 2010
Brussels — The European Travel Commission has just published its fourth quarterly report on European Tourism 2009 – Trends & Prospects.
Travel demand trends in the last three months of 2009 confirmed that the recovery was underway, although the growth was in large part due to comparisons with the low levels in late 2008. And the improvement, which benefited Europe less than most other regions of the world, came too late to make much difference to the final full-year results. In summary, for the travel and tourism industry, 2009 was undoubtedly a year to forget.
The outlook for growth in 2010 is more positive that it was three month ago – with more ‘risk’ to the upside. Europe’s tourism performance in the first half of 2010 will of course be aided by comparison with the depths of the recession in 2009. However, some significant downside risks remain, including security concerns and the possibility (although now deemed less likely) of a more virulent A(H1N1) pandemic.
Tourism Economics’ forecast remains muted for 2010 – in contrast to the situation in some previous recoveries, is does not expect a strong rebound.
For the full report, please click here.
The European Travel Commission is an association of National Tourism Organisations (NTOs). It was created in 1948 to promote Europe as a tourism destination to the long-haul markets outside Europe, originally in the USA and later in Canada, Latin America and Asia. It currently has 39 member NTOs, including 12 from outside the European Union. ETC is an independent body which is financed entirely by annual membership contributions and partnership funding. For further information, see ETC’s corporate website: www.etc-corporate.org
Private Travel, a Trend for Luxury Travelers in 2010
January 26, 2010
Raleigh, North Carolina – Lark Tours announced
today that private travel is a growing trend for luxury travelers in 2010.
Continuing economic uncertainty is the driving force behind this increase,
causing travelers to seek out greater value for money.
Colin Camu, a managing travel specialist at Lark Tours, noted, “Over the
last several months there has been a marked increase in travelers booking
private vacations for 2010 and 2011. Based on what we are experiencing at
Lark Tours, and based on what we are hearing and seeing in the industry, it
appears that private travel in the luxury travel segment is gaining strong
momentum.”
According to Lark Tours, this shift towards private travel is a result of
four distinct factors, all of which translate into more value for money in
the minds of luxury travelers:
1. Luxury travelers want their dream itinerary and they are becoming
increasingly unwilling to compromise on any detail. Many travelers reason
that if they are going to spend $5000 to $8000 per person for a vacation,
excluding airfare, they should receive everything according to their
standards. Private travel provides clients with an itinerary that meets
their precise preferences, needs, departure date, etc.
2. Travelers are looking for authentic and intimate experiences. They want
experientially meaningful encounters in unique settings removed from the
crowd. Even “ultra-small” group departures consisting of 15 to 20 passengers
are too large. Private travel provides clients with a group consisting only
of the client and his or her travel companions.
3. Discerning travelers want more flexibility during vacation. They are
requiring more from their vacation provider, which includes being able to
make changes at any point before or during travel. Private travel offers
clients the flexibility to make changes on a whim, dictate the pace of each
tour, and make stops when they please.
4. Luxury travelers want a higher degree of individualized service,
especially while on vacation. Having a guide who must address the needs and
concerns of a large group simply does not meet the expectations of many
luxury travelers today. Private travel offers private guides throughout each
portion of the vacation.
“There are certainly other reasons contributing to the rise in the
popularity of private travel,” states Colin Camu, “but these seem to be the
strongest motivators. I think we will continue to see an increase in demand
for private travel over the coming years.”
To learn more about private travel, visit http://www.larktours.com/about
Updates from the Nepal Mountaineering Association
January 25, 2010
The Ministers’ Cabinet of the Government of Nepal held a special meeting at Kala Patthar Plateau (5,542 m) on December 4th near Mt. Everest Base Camp, to raise awareness about the impact of Climate Change on Nepal. Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and 23 other ministers attended the meeting, where a 10 point ‘Declaration’ was released which calls for concerted actions to minimize adverse effects of climate change in the Himalayan region
The meeting held at such a high altitude was substantial in drawing attention to the dangers of climate change and global warming on the Himalayas, days before UN negotiations on climate change in Copenhagen. This meeting gained worldwide media coverage and it showed the commitment of the Nepalese Government towards the burning issues of Climate Change and the mountain environment.
Following this, Summiteers Summit to Save the Himalayas was organized by the Government of Nepal in Copenhagen to mark the International Mountain Day on December 11, 2009. Led by honorable Minister for Forestry and Soil conservation, Mr. Deepak Bohora, this rally was an accompanying event in the 15th session of UNFCCC conference. The objective of this program was to draw attention of international community towards the Himalayas and the impacts of Climate Change on the Himalayas so that the important role of the Himalaya mountain region in regulating global climate regime can be well recognized by all. This event was a humble request to the world community to pay greater attention to the challenges of climate change in the mountains and to value their unique contribution to the global ecology. Also please visit :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2009/dec/10/copenhagen-sherpa-himalayas
On behalf of the Government of Nepal, as President of Nepal Mountaineering Association and Union of Asian Alpine Association, I had the great pleasure to co-ordinate the gathering of International Mountaineers from all over the world in Copenhagen for this event. A large number of people (estimated between 900-1200 by the Copenhagen police), including 35 renowned Nepalese Mt.Everest summiteers, many international Mt.Everest and 8,000 m peaks summiteers, celebrities of International repute, Nepalese living abroad and supporters from all over the world with a concern for global climate change gathered and marched together in the streets of Copenhagen to highlight the challenges faced by the Himalaya in the context of global warming.
The event also included other activities such as the “Himalaya- Changing Landscapes” photo exhibition; a cultural program by a Sherpa cultural group and a Danish band; speeches by mountaineering leaders and icons and the issue declaration to Save the Himalayas. Nepal Mountaineering Association along with several organizations such as Nepal’s National Trust for Nature Conservation, ICIMOD, WWF, Nepal Tourism Board, the World Bank, Danish Embassy, Union of Asian Alpine Association, ESA, and NRN joined hands with the government to launch this special event.
Just ahead of the Climate Change talks in Copenhagen, my son Dawa Steven along with renowned mountaineer Apa Sherpa, 19th times Mt.Everest Summiteers went on a “European Expedition“. On expedition they visited 10 major European cities. They attended various events and exhibitions, participated in many talks, gave lectures and presentations, met high- profile politicians and celebrities, and spoke to the media delivering the message from Himalayan communities who are on the front line to face the impacts of climate change. The ‘European Expedition’ was part of the Climate for Life campaign of WWF and directed to raise the profile of the Himalayas in the global climate debate. Dawa Steven and Apa are both Ambassadors for the Climate for Life campaign.
Starting from Prague, Dawa Steven and Apa passed through Brno, Bratislava, London, Viterbo, Gland, Chamonix, Vienna, Brussels, Paris and finally to Copenhagen. In London, Dawa Steven spoke to Members of Parliament at Westminster. In Gland (Switzerland), Dawa and Apa met Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International and were awarded “Leaders of a Living Planet” the Highest award for conservation given by WWF. Dawa Steven also informed the Austrian President about Nepal’s problems in the face of Climate Change and handed over the summit rocks to the President. Similarly in Brussels (Belgium), Dawa Steven spoke at a Climate Change rally to 13,000 people and participated in round table talks at the European Parliament where members of Parliament, South Asian Nation Ambassadors and officials of the European Commission were present. In Paris, they handed over the Prime Minister’s
Letter to the Chief of Protocol of the President’s Office. Also please visit:
http://www.climate4life.org
Looking forward to an exciting New Year, we also have many programs planned.
Mt. Dhaulagiri Golden Jubilee will be celebrated on 28 May 2010 and on the same day Save the Himalaya Conference will be held. On 29 May 2010, various programs will be organized to celebrate International Everest Day.
Conforming to the success of Imja Tsho Action Event 2009, Dawa Steven Sherpa and his iDEAS team will organize Imja Tsho Action Event 2010 this year also on 10 June 2010. The run titled Beat the GLOF Action Run will start from Imja Lake (5010 m) and end at Khumjung Village covering a total distance of about 35 kilometers. Following the Action Run on 11 June 2010 will be Save the Himalaya – Khumbu Festival at Khumjung Village to focus on the mountain communities, the mountain environment and the impacts on them due to climate change. Also please visit
www.theuiaa.org/act_mountain_protection.html
Eco Everest Expedition 2010 will take place this year with a special program. This year Dawa Steven and his Eco Everest Expedition team has planned to collect and bring down garbage from the Mountain, including at altitudes as high as 8000 m and above. The plan is to create a team of 10 Sherpas to clean up garbage and debris from such high altitudes. This year’s expedition targets to bring down 1000 kgs of debris from high altitude (above Camp 2) and 6000 kgs of debris from Camp 2 and below.
Best Wishes,
Ang Tshering Sherpa
Call of the Wild Selected as Winner of British Airways Business Opportunity
January 25, 2010
Mountain View, CA – Call of the Wild has been selected as a winner of British Airways Business Opportunity Grant.
For its Business Opportunity Grant program, British Airways hand selected the winning companies primarily based on how a year’s worth of business travel and face to face meetings, along with other valuable business support, would positively impact each business, its growth and ability to meet objectives for 2010.
The grant includes airfare for 10 round-trip Club World business class flights, five free global shipments with British Airways World Cargo, $1,000 toward hotel accommodations at Courtyard by Marriott, five Regus Businessworld Gold Cards offering access to its business lounges worldwide, a Canon MX860 Printer, and three face-to-face business introductions through ExeConnect.
“Call of the Wild is excited to be honored by British Airways and is a proud recipient of this grant. We are already in touch with potential partners around the globe about the ability to meet face to face in 2010 and plan for 2011 and beyond,” shared Kate Reid, Director of Call of the Wild. “In the Adventure Travel Industry, knowing your partners well is critical to your success. The unplanned always happens and strong partners allow us to manage our client logistics with much more ease.”
Call of the Wild entered the contest after learning about in the Wall Street Journal. After researching further online, it was decided the contest was relevant enough to support Call of the Wild’s goals in 2010.
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