Adventure Travel World Summit
Adventure Travel Association Announces Bill Richardson’s Participation in 2011 World Summit in Chiapas, Mexico
April 12, 2011
Govenor Bill Richardson - 2011 Featured Speaker (SEATTLE) – Governor Bill Richardson will be the featured closing keynote speaker at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Adventure Travel World Summit on October 20, 2011, in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Known for his work as a diplomat and special envoy on sensitive missions to win the release of hostages, American servicemen and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, Cuba and Sudan, Richardson has recently founded the Richardson Peace Institute which will train government entities in peacekeeping and hostage negotiations. “Throughout my travels in the effort of diplomacy worldwide, it has become clear that connecting on a basis of a sense of place can be a lynchpin for creating peace,” said Governor Bill Richardson, who served as Governor of New Mexico between 2002 and 2010. “To truly make progress in any business, understanding of local cultural heritage and possessing a sense of adventure is... Read More →
Adventure Travel World Summit Featured Adventure Travel World Summit News
Registrations, Sponsorships, Progress for ATTA’s 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit Outpaces Plans
February 2, 2011
What a difference two years make. By February 1st, 2009, despite the ATTA’s best efforts to generate early interest in its marquee annual event, the Adventure Travel World Summit, registrations were at an all time low during the Early Bird (pre-April) period ahead of the annual fall gathering. Fortunately, for the ATTA and the Summit, the industry eventually rallied and the event drew more than 500 delegates representing 42 countries in Quebec, Canada. In the face of serious economic turmoil, the global adventure tourism community braced for troubling economic times – most looked inward and worked diligently to ensure that personal and professional fundamentals were in order. Still, more than 500 believers leaned into the 2009 Summit, investing limited resources into the high value gathering where intimate access to an effective business-to-business marketplace, networking and professional development held court. A compelling notion: adventure travel industry leaders investing during... Read More →
Adventure Travel World Summit ATWS Press Releases
ATTA Offers 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit Featured Speakers Preview
February 2, 2011
(SEATTLE) – January 24, 2011 – The Adventure Travel Trade Association today announced its featured speaker roster for the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) set for October 17-20 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Representing varied business disciplines, headliners for the adventure tourism industry’s principal annual conference will address tourism trends, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, indigenous tourism, values-driven business models, and demand creation. Presenters for the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit, themed, “Prosper with Purpose”, and their respective talks include: Maryann Fernandez – Founder & President – Philanthropy Indaba: Fernandez explores how deeper-impact corporate social responsibility, traveler’s philanthropy and volunteer programs succeed in an environment rich in mutual respect, shared values, and community empowerment. Leilani Latimer – Director, Sustainability Initiatives... Read More →
Adventure Travel World Summit ATWS Press Releases
ATTA Selects 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit Advisory Committee
February 2, 2011
(SEATTLE) – January 25, 2011 – The Adventure Travel Trade Association today named the Advisory Committee for the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), the adventure tourism industry’s annual gathering of executives set for October 17-20 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Comprised of leaders who bring diversity in expertise, geographic and sector representation, this year’s ATWS Advisory Committee includes: Scott Adams, Founder and President, Birchbark Media Dan Austin, Director, Austin-Lehman Adventures Stephen Austin, Executive Marketing Director, CPTM (PROMTOUR – Mexico Tourism Board) Ajeet Bajaj, Managing Director, Snow Leopard Adventures Kelly Bricker, Chairman – TIES (The International Ecotourism Society), Chairman of the Board – GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council), Associate Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, University of Utah William (Bill) L. Bryan, Ph.D., Co-Founder... Read More →
Adventure Travel World Summit Featured Adventure Travel World Summit News
The 2011 AFAR Exchange: Making Business Happen
February 2, 2011
In a climate of brand saturation, disintermediation, and the never-ending quest for the next adventure-of-a-lifetime, travel businesses must find the right partners for the right programs. The ATWS Marketplace, dubbed the AFAR Exchange, will work to create and strengthen business-to-business relationships in the adventure travel market by offering registered Suppliers and Buyers pre-scheduled meetings onsite at the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Designed to take networking a step further, the AFAR Exchange is structured for in-depth, one-on-one interaction between ATWS Suppliers (ATTA Member Inbound Tour Operators and Accommodations) and ATWS Buyers (Outbound Tour Operators, Wholesalers and Specialty Travel Agents). Suppliers will have the opportunity to engage potential partners, develop a stronger network, and build new marketing and sales offerings worldwide. Buyers are presented with the unique opportunity to enhance their itineraries... Read More →
Adventure Travel World Summit Featured Adventure Travel World Summit News
2011 Summit Sponsorship Interest, Commitments on Record Pace
February 2, 2011
Summit sponsors receive: extensive branding, networking, lead generation, and promotions of their products, services and destinations. The ATTA is experiencing unprecedented sponsor demand for the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit. All major Summit sponsorship opportunities are spoken for in 2011, with only a few mid- to small-sized sponsorships remaining. “We’re seeing more sponsor interest than in any prior year, which is certainly a good challenge to have,” said ATTA Vice President of Business Development Chris Chesak. “There are just a few Summit sponsorship opportunities available, but we’re also open to entertaining new, distinctive and creative sponsorship concepts that complement our strong showing of return sponsors, whether they are sponsorships for the Summit, or year-round support of the growing ATTA community.” Returning sponsors will include Eddie Bauer, Chiapas CVB, AFAR magazine, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Norway, Quebec, Scotland, Switzerland and Jordan. The... Read More →
Adventure Travel World SummitFirst ATWS Live Forum a Success, Audience Response to Drive ATTA Issues
October 14, 2010
The first ever ATTA live audience response Forum was both dynamic and formative, with the topic at hand of “Fire in the fireplace: How can adventure travel companies manage the paradox of their ability to positively impact the world, while also thriving as independent businesses.” Overwhelmingly, the audience expressed strong agreement that sustainable operating principles and practices were the right thing to do, but questions lingered about what that really means in day-to-day operations when growth continues in the sector. ATTA President Shannon Stowell asked for and received resounding support for the trade organization to continue to define itself in part by sustainable tourism practices, although there is concern about making adherence to specific practices a criteria for membership. Costas Christ and Erika Harms, sustainability experts in the travel sector at large, offered resources and ideas for best practices and examples of what is working today. The... Read More →
Adventure Travel World SummitVisual Storytelling Firm NomadsLand Showcases “Signature Film” to Illustrate Power of Unconventional Video in Marketing
October 14, 2010
During the 2010 ATWS panel on Visual Storytelling, NomadsLand founder Davin Hutchins debuted a video co-production his firm created in conjunction with Florida’s Dragonfly Expeditions. The project was designed to instruct tour operators and tourism boards how to create “signature films” and interactive marketing campaigns to use visual storytelling in establishing direct relationships with potential travelers through ads and social media. Hutchins said, “Creating simple yet compelling storylines through video about these companies and destinations is really the future of adventure travel. Emphasizing environmental stewardship, triple-bottom-line values and soft adventure in the language of video will be key as the industry goes mainstream.” Read More →
Adventure Travel World SummitDelegates Reflect on Whiskey, Trains and Night Creatures
October 13, 2010
Post by Jenny McBain, a freelance writer from Ullapool, who provided special reports on the daily Summit content. VisitCairngorms offered up the delegates of the 2010 ATWS three unique cultural experiences for a ‘Night Out in Cairngorms Park,” for the free night option – a first for the Summit. Response from delegates was positive, with many reports of fun evenings that gave a twist to networking, much like the annual Pre-Summit Adventures. Gerry Moss from Archaeology Magazine attended the whiskey tasting tour, held at Scotland’s highest distillery, Dalwhinnie. He says, “ We drove through the night for around half an hour and a beautiful old building popped out of the countryside from amidst the fields of grass and sheep.” Gerry has now been converted to the joys of the liquor known in Gaelic as uisge beath- the water of life. A copper tube was dipped into a oak cask so he and the rest of the party could sample a 19 year old malt. That did it for Gerry. ... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases ATWS Press Releases
Chiapas, Mexico Selected to Host the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit
October 13, 2010
(SEATTLE) – OCTOBER 13, 2010 – Chiapas, the southern-most state in Mexico, has won the bid to serve as Destination Host to the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s eighth annual Adventure Travel World Summit, an assembly of 600 adventure tourism professionals, which will be held October 17-20, 2011 in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Announced by the ATTA and Mexican tourism officials October 7 during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) in Aviemore, Scotland, attended by an estimated 600 delegates representing more than 50 countries, the ATTA reported its decision came after extensive review of several sites throughout North America. In addition to meeting all prerequisites outlined in the bidding process, Chiapas won the 2011 ATWS bid primarily for its partnership orientation and readiness and willingness to press forward on progressive adventure tourism development, as well as for the tremendous potential benefits to the local tourism economy and... Read More →
