According to CNN: “Bill for U.S. travel promotion organization headed to president’s desk”
February 26, 2010
(CNN) — A bill that will create a tourism promotion organization for the United States received its final passage in the Senate on Thursday. Read full story. Read More →
Media BuzzTravel + Leisure’s March 2010 Issue Features “World’s Top Adventure Trips”
February 25, 2010
According to Travel + Leisure’s March 2010 issue, “T+L has surveyed the field to create the ultimate directory of adventure trips around the globe, each listed with a top outfitter.” Editor’s Note: In the story written by veteran and prolific writer of all things adventure, Jeff Wise, includes 33 companies on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Top Top Adventure Trips list for 2010, 21 of which are offered by ATTA Members. In the online version, the article shows thoughtful diversity of place, price, activity, seasonality and duration. Review the online version. Read More →
Member Press Releases Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearIconic American Brand Eddie Bauer Celebrates 90th Anniversary
February 25, 2010
SEATTLE — Specialty retailer Eddie Bauer, The Original Outdoor Outfitter®, is turning 90. When Mr. Bauer first opened for business in 1920, his “Eddie Bauer’s Tennis Shop” was renting space in a gun shop in downtown Seattle. Within a year he had his own storefront and became renowned as an outfitter and innovator. While he built his business serving hunters and fishermen of the Pacific Northwest, he went on to become America’s premier expedition outfitter during the golden age of Himalayan mountaineering. Today, Eddie Bauer has approximately 364 stores in the United States and Canada, catalog and online businesses. The company offers premium-quality clothing, accessories and gear for men and women that complement today’s modern outdoor lifestyle. In October 2009, the company launched its First Ascent brand of guide-built gear, signaling a return to the company’s mountaineering roots as an expedition outfitter. “For the past 90 years, the... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesAfrica Adventure Consultants Explores New Directions in Sustainable Travel
February 25, 2010
Taking the commitment to people and planet seriously, AAC walks the talk with 100% carbon-offsets on all safaris, new “green” safari itineraries, responsible travel practices for ground partners, and per guest donations to humanitarian projects DENVER, CO – Africa Adventure Consultants (AAC), takes corporate social responsibility to heart both at home and on safari. The Denver-based purveyor of hand-crafted, luxury safari adventures is dedicated to leaving a small ecological footprint and making a large impact socially wherever they go. “In our increasingly threatened and fragile world, to know and not to act in the best interests of people, communities and the environment is totally unacceptable. If the world is to survive and thrive, a business must look beyond the bottom line and place equal importance on humanity and sustainability,” said Kent Redding, AAC co-founder and president. True to Redding’s beliefs, AAC is green and getting greener at home and abroad. New this year,... Read More →
Media Buzz Must Read/ViewNational Geographic Channel Premieres “Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets”, Sure to Inspire
February 25, 2010
The National Geographic Channel has just premiered a new documentary, Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets, from Edge West Productions, directed by celebrated British documentarian Philip J. Day. This in-depth doc comes at a perfect time, giving an American audience an exciting view of the history and mysteries of Peru beyond Machu Picchu. Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets will certainly inspire its audience to visit Peru to see the lines in-person and to experience the county on the whole. The show premiered in the USA on Sunday, but will be re-airing a number of times over the next few weeks. 2/25, 7 PM EST 2/25, 10 PM EST 2/28, 12 PM EST 3/4, 3 PM EST * Editor’s Note: In 2005, I had the good fortune to visit the Nasca lines from the ground, and from above in the seat of a 6 passenger Cessna, and was simply mesmerized, realizing a childhood dream to visit the mysterious lines drawings on the face of the earth. It’s this very location and that very trip that inspired ATTA efforts to collaborate... Read More →
ATTA Releases 2010 Tune In Webinar Schedule
February 24, 2010
Based on feedback from ATTA members, current industry trends and development needs, the ATTA presents the following calendar of ATTA Tune In Webinars exclusively for ATTA members (except where noted for sustainable tourism matters, in which case, the Webinars are open and free to the entire industry). ATTA’s Webinar series emphasizes the following categories: Trends & Research Marketing Technology/Internet Sustainable Tourism ATTA Members Tune In Webinars are online professional business development programs. Featuring subject matter experts addressing vital industry topics to educate and professionalize the industry, Webinars are free for ATTA Members; in some cases select ATTA-sponsored Webinars are made available to all tourism professionals for free via the ATTA in-house email database of approximately 25,000. Interested in the ATTA’s Webinars but not a Member yet? Learn more and sign up today: click here. Want the ATTA to consider a topic not presently featured in the... Read More →
Spotlight: SustainabilityNew Sustainable Travel Specialist Course Available Through The Travel Institute
February 19, 2010
Wellesley, MA / Boulder, CO – The Travel Institute announced the release of a new Lifestyle Specialist course for travel agents that’s focused on sustainable travel and tourism. This course joins eight other Lifestyle Specialist courses offered by The Travel Institute each one allowing travel professionals to test and earn an industry recognized credential. The course, sponsored by Virtuoso, was created in partnership with Sustainable Travel International (STI), a non-profit organization that promotes responsible travel and supports sustainable development. This 5-module course teaches travel counselors how to identify the characteristics and benefits of sustainable travel, integrate “green” business practices into their existing business operations, choose travel suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to sustainable travel, and explores strategies for practicing sustainable travel and tourism. “The travel agent community is in a unique position to both service and... Read More →
Spotlight: SustainabilityGreen Living Project Expands to Central America
February 19, 2010
New expedition to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama features new partnerships with Rainforest Alliance, Nature Air, The North Face, Patagonia, and 10 others Los Angeles, CA – Green Living Project, the leading media production and marketing company showcasing global sustainability initiatives, has announced their newest expedition, this time to Central America (February 16 – March 7). Green Living Project™ will document 9 leading sustainability-related initiatives that showcase cutting-edge best practices in sustainable tourism, wildlife conservation, geo-tourism, eco-lodge, community development, and education. These projects will be incorporated into the company’s marketing and distribution channels that educate and inspire consumers to organizations on the importance and benefits of sustainability-based initiatives. Green Living Project™ (GLP) will be documenting projects in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama, three unique travel destinations that also showcase a diverse array... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesSmall Ship Expedition Cruise Company Ecoventura Announces “Give Back to the Galapagos” Promotion
February 18, 2010
MIAMI – Here’s a new twist on added value. The visionary, small-ship travel company Ecoventura (http://www.ecoventura.com/) announces a new “Give Back to the Galapagos” promotion that offers guests a rate reduction matched by company dollars to assist important environmental initiatives. See: http://www.ecoventura.com/expeditionyachts/specialoffers.aspx “Our clients always want to know how they can help our efforts to create a positive level of sustainability for this fragile eco-system called the Galapagos,” said Santiago Dunn, president and owner of Ecoventura. “This is a way they for them to benefit twice: once by receiving a rate reduction and once by giving something back to the islands.” Dunn explained that the new give-back program is a 10 percent discount on rates on certain departures with 5 percent applied to the cruise rate and 5 percent assisting the Galapagos Marine Biodiversity Fund (GMBF) administered by the World Wildlife Fund. The fund was established in... Read More →
Must Read/ViewAdventure Tourism Development Index 2009 Report
February 16, 2010
A joint initiative of The George Washington University, the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Xola Consulting, the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI) ranks 192 countries based for their adventure travel competitiveness. The 2009 ATDI Report, in three parts, is available below at no charge. The methodology relies on hard data and expert surveys to asses countries in 10 pillars: Sustainable Development Health Safety Security Cultural Resources Natural Resources Adventure Activity Resources Infrastructure Entrepreneurship Image The top three developing countries this year were the Slovak Republic, Israel and the Czech Republic. The top three developed countries were Iceland, Switzerland and New Zealand. Download full report: Click here. Download the pillar scores for developing countries: Click here. Download the pillar scores for developed countries: Click here. Survey and other research data gathered to generate the ATDI rankings can be customized for a fee. Xola Consulting... Read More →
