Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd.
March 12, 2010
Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd is a wholly owned indigenous Tanzanian company, with a history and wealth of experience in handling private safaris and beach holidays in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda since 2007. Our safari services also extend to neighbouring southern Africa countries of Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana and Zambia using our loyal affiliate partners.
Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd is fully registered with a valid TALA license. We are reputable members of Adventure Travel Trade Association (US), Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tanzania). The African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA) (UK) Affiliate Members of Tanzania Tourist Board (Tanzania)
Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd has earned recognition for its commitment and professionalism in handling business for individuals and groups from all over the world, our products and services range from VIP Safari programmes, Incentives Programmes, Tailor Made Safaris, Mountain Trekking trips, Luxury Mobile Camping, Adventure Camping Safaris, Beach Holidays Packages, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Tracking, Hotel Reservations, Domestic Airfare ticketing and Airport Transfers.
Olosokwan Adventures is also sole agent for Sea Star Fast Ferry operating between Dar and Zanzibar with daily departures. We are committed to providing services to a standard to meet the expectations of the most discerning travelers and we know that can only be achieved by our people who are our greatest asset. We are proud of our team of “wonderful guides” who are people oriented, true wildlife and mountain trekking lovers and naturalists. They have an in-depth knowledge of flora and fauna, the region and its culture as well as a love of conservation and a commitment to you, the customers who we want as our ambassadors for the future. As you would expect our keen sales and office management team to co-ordinate every aspect of your safari prior to your arrival and whilst on vacation. Additional support staff contribute greatly to our safari programmes thus ensuring unforgettable experiences that has lead us to manage and deliver programmes that meet your expectations, whether it be intrepid travelers, safari enthusiasts, honeymooners, bird watchers, television, film and photo safari people or the corporate incentive travel market. We cater to budget conscious travellers as well as those requiring something a little more luxurious.
Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd has a solution to meet your comfort, luxury, budget and technical needs.
If you are looking for a professional and specialist safari outfitter to handle your vacation to the Eastern Africa destinations, then let us prepare for you a personalized competitive itinerary tailored to your requirements. Our advertised safari programmes, shown here on our web pages, are aimed to give you an idea of the comprehensive nature of what Olosokwan offers but we can easily customize any programme to meet your safari dreams. The choice of accommodation is excellent, ranging from the finest permanent and semi-permanent tented camps to safari lodges, hotels and beach resorts. So within our products and services there is something to meet all tastes.
We are committed to helping conserve our environment and so part of the little we earn from our safari bookings we contribute to some of the education and conservation programmes we wish to be identified with. We also actively support local community developments, including school and water projects. Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd is aiming to make life better for those less fortunate. The reason we exist is to protect pristine wilderness areas and the flora and fauna – or biodiversity – that they support. We believe that in protecting these areas, and including the local communities in this process, we will make a difference to Africa and ultimately the world. In short, we believe that the world’s wilderness areas will save humankind
Our main office is located just outside of Arusha City Centre on the Arusha – Kilimanjaro International Airport highway..
All our trips are run in fully insured 4 x 4 vehicles with comprehensive passenger liability insurance. Our vehicles have been customized to suit our clients travel needs and comfort thus improving the overall quality of the tour.
Olosokwan Adventures is looking forward to welcoming you to East Africa’s majestic countries.
Train Service to Machu Picchu to be Re-Opened
March 12, 2010
Railroad to Machu Picchu. Photo taken before the rains.
Peru Rail, Peru’s Southern Train routes service operator, has informed Apumayo Expediciones that Ferrocarril Trans Andino SA (FTSA) has announced that the railroad from Piscaycucho (Km.82) to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) will be reopened next Monday 29th of March, if the weather conditions remain as stable as they have been until now.
Though FTSA announced a few weeks ago that this portion of the railroad to Machu Picchu was going to be reopened on April the 1st, they have realized that, as they have made extensive progress, this deadline can be re-scheduled to March 29th. This has been a great effort from FTSA engineers, who have worked over-hours to reopen Machu Picchu at the soonest.
Peru Rail is developing an Operational Plan to reestablish their train services, based on operational safety parameters which will be announced in the following days
Apumayo Expediciones stands out the efforts made by FTSA engineers and workers, which allow giving back hope to thousands of travelers that are anxious to Visit Peru’s Icon Attraction.
Quivertree Family Expeditions
March 12, 2010
Quivertree Family Expeditions is a new kind of travel company – run by families who love to explore for families who love exploring. Our travel addicted founding brothers, Gideon and Philip Nurick, were already seasoned travelers when their children were born so it seemed natural to continue traveling and experience the world through their children’s eyes. Now, 17 years and six continents later, we’re using our passion and experience to create the perfect family experience for you.
So what are we about? Well, we got thoroughly sick and tired of looking up “family travel” and finding information about snacks, naps, theme parks and changes of clothes. We’re about real family travel that entails seeing the world. We actually believe that seeing the world means tasting, observing and feeling the special sensations that happen in real places with real people and cultures. The memories we create together will be life-lasting and forge incredible family bonds even with reluctant adolescents. Exciting, shared family travel will result in many hours of discussion, and debate (did you prefer white water rafting to tubing to zorbing to scuba diving or just lying on the beach ? and which beach was your favorite ?).
Our mission is to provide each family with a unique custom- designed experience. How do we do that ? Firstly, we are not wholesalers who are marketing travel all around the globe. You’ll only go where we’ve boldly gone before. We currently offer six destinations (Guatemala, New Zealand, Southern Africa, India, Colombia and Israel/Jordan). Over the next 18 months, we expect to add up to ten additional destinations including Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos, Iceland, Portugal, Bulgaria and Turkey.
After our customers have completed our personalized travel questionnaire, we go about creating their special, family explicit trip. We don’t send them on a generic group trip with other people where the people or activities may be hit-or-miss; no, this is a singular family adventure , and every last detail is designed for the enjoyment, learning and comfort of each family. We use only seasoned and highly regarded operators in each country and each trip contains numerous once in a lifetime experiences.
Because each family and each trip is one-of-a-kind , we are not bound by dates or schedules. We will fit each expedition to meet the needs, preferences and schedules of each family, and our trips are flexible enough to allow for last moment changes. There is no tour bus to catch or other travelers restricting our families. It’s just our clients , local guides and the world.
Why do our customers love what we do ? Because we understand family travel, we’ve been doing it for over 15 years, and we continue to explore exotic destinations with our own children (this year Mozambique, Turkey, Jordan, Bulgaria and Georgia). Our families recognize our passion for travel and that we have invaluable life experience as family travelers. We’re using our own life experience and adventures to create the dream adventure for your family. We know that if your children are bored or miserable, you will be too. So instead of doing what everyone else does , we look for special cultural and natural adventures that will fill your family memories for many years to come.
ATTA: Quivertree Family Expeditions is looking to network and partner with other companies who share our philosophy that family travel can be filled with adventure, fun and learning, and who believe, like us, that children can make the best, most curious, most adventurous travel companions.
A Pub on the Move in Helsinki
March 12, 2010
Who said drinking on public transport is forbidden? SpåraKOFF, the world’s only pub tram, has been offering Helsinki sightseeing rides to thirsty customers every summer since 1995. Starting in May, you can again hop on, sit back, enjoy a cold drink and take in the highlights of the Finnish capital. What better way to get the feel of the city than sitting in this moving pub with a cold beer in front of you?
A tram converted into a classical style pub with interior decor of mahogany, brass and velvet, SpåraKOFF is truly one of a kind. The tram carried regular public passengers for 35 years, without a liquor license, before starting a new life as a pub tram in the spring of 1995. The name SpåraKOFF is coined from a Helsinki slang word for tram, “spåra”, and from the name of the oldest industrially operating brewery in the Nordic countries, Sinebrychoff.
The whole tour around the city takes about an hour. SpåraKOFF is an excellent way for summer visitors to experience Helsinki since the route passes many of Helsinki’s main sights: the Central Railway Station, Linnanmäki Amusement Park, the Olympic Stadium, Finlandia Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, the Market Square and Helsinki Cathedral. The video screens inside show you how the sights look from the driver’s perspective.
You can hop on and off without a reservation at five different tram stops in the center of Helsinki. Your on board crew consists of the driver, as well as a waiter or waitress serving you beer, cider and soft drinks. There are approximately 30 seats.
Regular traffic in 2010 begins in early May and runs until the end of August. The pub tram is on the move five days a week, Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 2pm to 9pm. The fare at the present exchange rate is $ 10.80 (8 euros) for adults and $ 5.40 (4 euros) for children under 12 years old. Drinks are charged separately.
JITOA – Increasing Jordan Inbound Tour Operators’ Access to the European Market
March 12, 2010
CBI- Export Coaching Program for tourism
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) in cooperation with the CBI -Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries in Netherlands supported JITOA active members of inbound Tour Operators to participate in the “Export Coaching Programme (ECP)” for tourism. CBI is an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Its objective is to assist companies from developing countries to achieve sustainable exports to Europe, through conducting a wide range of support programmes in different sectors.
European outbound tourism is still growing, however, many receptive companies miss the opportunities and fail to benefit of it. CBI offers companies for incoming tourism guidance and training to build contacts in a systematic and successful way in the various European generating markets.
JITOA members will get the opportunity to get the needed assistance and support to enter the European market. Within this tourism programme, CBI offers Jordan Tour Operators needed guidance and training to build contacts in a systematic and successful way in the various European generating markets. This is accomplished by carrying out sector-specific export programs that follow a step-by-step approach to increase market access and penetration. The programs are run by independent consultants whose extensive knowledge and networks throughout Europe guarantee high-quality, specialized and up-to date content.
JITOA took the initiative to involve the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators in the CBI specialized Export Coaching program, to boost business cooperation with Jordan and Europe, and help Tour Operators to develop and gain more business opportunities with Europe, and increase the Jordanian exports to Europe.
In April 2009, the CBI held a meeting in Barcelona with a number of Business Supporting Organizations (BSO), from different developing countries including Jordan. This meeting was set to open discussion between the CBI consultants and BSO’s of developing countries, to share their feedback on the business opportunities in Europe and identify the potential benefits for participating countries to enter the European markets. Mr. Nizar Al Adarbeh, JITOA CEO, attended the meeting representing the association and discussed the opportunities of partnering with the CBI to support its members. Later in July 2009, Jordan Inbound Tour Operators applied to the program, and met with the CBI consultant and discussed their eligibility through the cooperation and support of JITOA and the Jordan Business Development Center (BDC).
Six of JITOA active members were successfully selected to enter this program; Atlas Travel and Tourism Agency, Amani Tours, Dakkak Tours International, Jordan Select Tours, Royal Tours, United Travel Agency. Noting that one of JITOA staff will accompany the delegation from Jordan, represented by Mr. Mahmoud Al Arab – Membership officer. Participants will enroll in a 6 days training program in Rotterdam, Netherland which already started on the 2nd of March, 2010. 142 tourism professionals from 30 countries are joining this program including Jordan, and these are; Albania, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Nepal , Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia. It’s worth mentioning that Jordan is the only country participating from the Arab region.
The program will prepare Tour Operators for successful entry on European tourism markets and get introduced to the various EU tourism markets and will be provided with special training in export marketing, management and promotion techniques relevant to these markets. The program will be carried out by 8 CBI Tourism Experts from 6 EU countries.
Participating companies in the CBI-ECP 2008-2014 will receive individual support over 3 years period by means of on-site consultancy, training schemes, market information, trade fair participation and business-to-business activities. They will also receive extensive information about each market during an Export Marketing Training and will be assisted by a CBI external expert with a long track record in the sector. Along with the CBI external expert, participants will be able to decide on the best options to enter the market. These could be: trade fair participations, one-to-one meetings with buyers, a road show or presentations to present your product. The programme is thus completely tailor-made to your company’s needs and whishes.
JITOA participation came out of the need to target emerging tourist markets in order to mitigate the impact of the global downturn in the sector.
Mr. Nizar Al Adarbeh, JITOA CEO said “participation in this program is part of our vital role in supporting our members to penetrate new markets projected through our mission to help develop new opportunities for the Jordan Inbound Tourism Sector through enhancing the quality of services and strengthening competitiveness of Jordan in the international marketplace.”Participants will have the opportunity to utilize both their expertise and knowledge of the local market and that of CBI in Europe. They learn how to develop their capacities and customize their products according to the standards of European markets. Furthermore, they will be provided with information and export marketing strategies developed to help them penetrate European markets, and be able to successfully address the challenges to enter the EU market. Assistance also included helping these companies participate in some of the largest and most well-known international exhibitions in Europe through which they could reach potential buyers and be part of powerful networks.
JITOA will work on extending this cooperation to involve more Jordan Inbound Tour Operator members to benefit from the CBI supporting programs.
Spring O’Brien
March 12, 2010
We don’t tell you stories, we get your stories told.
Spring O’Brien is a New York City-based agency offering clients highly customized public relations, advertising and online services. We specialize in travel and lifestyle with an impressive track record in building business for tour operators, expedition cruise lines and adventure travel firms. Our experience encompasses such expeditionary and life-enriching tour operators as Salen Lindblad Cruising, Quark Expeditions, International Expeditions, Smithsonian Journeys and Yampu Latin America Tours. From launching adventure firms like Space Adventures and Deep Ocean Expeditions or handling educationally focused Smithsonian Journeys and alluring destinations like Morocco, New Zealand and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, our travel marketing experts are dedicated to bringing dollars to the bottom line by securing tangible results for our clients.
Our travel team has an ever-expanding Rolodex of top tiered broadcast, print, online and social media contacts to tell our clients’ stories to their target audiences. Staying abreast of the industry news, we leverage editorial and partnership opportunities, with an eye for trending topics to stay ahead of the curve. With decades of tourism experience, we understand the business, and we take the time to learn each of our client’s business models to seamlessly integrate our communications efforts to achieve their brand marketing goals.
Most importantly, we are a group of travelers who love to partake in soft adventure and adrenaline-packed activities. We’ve bungy-jumped in New Zealand, climbed the Sydney Bridge, swam with sharks in Bora Bora and Curacao, paddled with stingrays in Grand Cayman, canoed on the wild Zambezi, hiked in the Andes, and scuba dived in the deep blue waters of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We enjoy white water rafting, paragliding, cave exploration and hiking volcanoes (dormant and active), and are willing to try almost anything at least once.
Products and/or Services
* Media Relations
* Broadcast
* Digital PR / Social Media
* Brand Building
* Marketing Consultation
* Product Development
* Crisis Communications
* Special Events
If you’d like to learn more about what Spring O’Brien can do for your brand or to simply exchange adventure travel stories, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to it.
Judy Lee, Account Supervisor – 212-402-1624 / JudyL@spring-obrien.com
Kingo’s Ultimate Survival is Pinned on Sustainable Tourism
March 11, 2010
By Leslie Nevison, Director, Mama Tembo Tours
Kingo - photo by Trish Peck
Kingo, a 300 pound (140 kilogram) Western lowland gorilla silverback, and his six wives and children, live in the protected rainforest of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the northern Republic of Congo near its border with the Central African Republic. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) began habituating Kingo fifteen years ago. At the time, gorilla research had been restricted to Rwanda’s and Uganda’s mountain gorillas, and very little was known about lowland gorilla behavior in the wild.
Compared to their mountain kin, lowland gorillas occupy remote and swampy forests and are hard to find. Wary by nature, they disappear in an instant at the first hint of danger. As unhindered observation is crucial to any wildlife study, habituation is a necessary scientific tool. With Kingo, habituation took ten years. Yet, creating this bond of trust with Kingo leaves him vulnerable to a human encroacher with violent intentions.
Just outside of Kingo’s Kingdom, a mere 16 square kilometer forested triangle, the surrounding forests are crisscrossed with logging roads. Logging, unless practiced responsibly, results in habitat loss. Logging roads also allow access to commercial poachers. Gorilla meat is highly prized in Central Africa in the misguided belief that it brings status and power. On a less critical note, any forest bush meat – gorilla, chimpanzee, mangabey, and antelope – is the means for growing human populations living on the shrinking boundaries of Central Africa’s forests to subsist.
Ba'Aka women
Diseases such as ebola, habitat loss, and the bush meat trade are the leading threats to the remaining numbers of lowland gorillas in Central Africa. The good news is that the WCS released new findings in 2009 that put the number of lowland gorillas in Central Africa as higher than was thought. Gorillas make simple sleeping nests in the crowns of trees every night. Working from a morning count of these nests, scientists believe (and hope) that over 100,000 gorillas are holding on in the forests of Northern Congo. Even if this number is optimistic, it supports the need to push forward with conservation plans.
Kingo’s ultimate survival is pinned on sustainable tourism. When science is complete, visitors, only two at a time, will be (and must be) Kingo’s primary means of support. Kingo was first introduced to the world, fully habituated, in 2007, and since then he has become famous in writing, news reporting, photography, and nature film making circles. A great many of his guests have come from among these professions. But 2010 brings change. Although science will continue for years to come, WCS has established formal tourism guidelines and improved infrastructure and Congo Wildlife Adventures was launched by MTT Inc as the first ever ground operation in Brazzaville to facilitate visits for everyone to Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, and beyond to Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the neighboring Central African Republic.
Observe wild gorillas at Nouabale viewing platform
Undeniably, Kingo is Nouabale’s showcase.
David Attenborough has said “There is more meaning in exchanging glances with a gorilla than with any other animal I know.”
But there is much more to this travel experience too. The forests of the Congo Basin comprise the world’s largest rainforests after those of the Amazon Basin. They are therefore among the last of their kind on the planet, and of remarkable biodiversity. Kingo shares his kingdom with elephants, buffaloes, leopards, chimpanzees, birds, and ten species of monkey. And while it remains adventurous travel to get to the forests, they are now accessible.
Travel here means to walk in pristine forest of towering hardwoods amid whining cicadas; to pole a pirogue along tributaries and streams of the Congo River; to observe wild gorillas at forest clearings; and to spend time with the Ba’Aka, the indigenous pygmies who have been the foundation of Central Africa’s conservation programs from the beginning, for without their preternatural relationship with and their knowledge of the forest and its wildlife, habituating the timid Western lowland gorillas would never have happened. There is a poignancy to the traveler’s encounter with the Ba’Aka because these men once hunted gorillas or tracked gorillas for others to hunt. Now they work as trackers for scientists and forest guides for tourists. It is easier to keep wildlife alive if men who hunted in the past for their livelihood earn a salary guiding you through the forest.
Traveling by pirogue to Nouable
Beyond Nouabale’s forests, construction of a new road under a Chinese contractor is in progress which will link the north of the country and Nouabale’s once isolated forests to its capital Brazzaville. There is the worry that the road will serve as a conduit for the movement of contraband forest products. WCS worries how little time they have to establish a viable sustainable tourism program (perhaps no more than five years) in light of the enormous pressures from outside business interests. With so few roads in the Republic of Congo, and where internal air travel is costly and unreliable, improved infrastructure is a positive development. This road can certainly ease the way for Nouabale’s tourism, becoming another way that travelers can more easily travel back and forth to Kingo.
You can be a part of Nouabale’s new beginnings in sustainable tourism. You can be among the first to arrive.
Global Rescue evacuates five telecom workers from Chile
March 8, 2010
Five telecom workers stranded in Concepcion, Chile, have been evacuated by Global Rescue security teams after the massive earthquake left the country’s second-largest urban area with destroyed infrastructure, low supplies of fuel and other staples, and a high security risk as looting and violence escalated.
Global Rescue teams dispatched a helicopter to pick up the workers and transported them to Santiago. From there they departed to their respective home cities.
Earlier, Global Rescue was tasked with finding the missing daughter of a client in Santiago. Global Rescue operators located her within a few hours.
The operations were reminiscent of missions Global Rescue carried out last month in Haiti, when the company located and evacuated groups of missionaries, students, aid workers, Haitians and others from the devastation of Port-au-Prince and the Haitian countryside.
Global Rescue is an emergency services company that provides best-in-class medical, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and security services to individuals, corporations, travelers and expeditions worldwide. The company’s emergency response teams are comprised of paramedics, physicians and security personnel, many of whom are veterans of elite special operations units of the U.S. Military. Through an exclusive relationship with the physicians of Johns Hopkins, Global Rescue members also benefit from the advisory services of some of the world’s finest physicians.
Recent examples of Global Rescue’s work include evacuating a U.S. Ski Team athlete from the Alps, transporting a teenaged skier with a broken leg from South America, and evacuating numerous climbers from Himalayan peaks. Other recent missions include evacuations from Lebanon, The Republic of Georgia, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Mexico, Alaska, Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.
For more information, email press@globalrescue.com, call our public relations office at (617) 459 4200, or visit www.globalrescue.com.
New York Times best-selling author joins Gap Adventures as the surprise celebrity judge for Create Your Own Adventure contest
March 8, 2010
Toronto – New York Times best-selling author Patricia Schultz has been announced as the 10th celebrity judge in an esteemed panel that will select the Top 20 finalists of Gap Adventures’ highly-popular Create Your Own Adventure contest.
But the author of the definitive travel guide 1,000 Places to See Before You Die – who was named one of the 25 most influential women in travel by Forbes Magazine in 2008 – will have extra judging duties to carry out before she helps decide the top finalists. For all entries submitted between March 8 and March 13, Schultz will select her five choices for ‘Best Adventure to Experience Before You Die’ out of the hundreds of worldwide submissions. The five winners will be awarded a $500 USD Gap Adventures travel voucher, as well as a signed copy of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die including a personalized message from the author.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to participate in such a dynamic online contest,” Schultz said. “Create Your Own Adventure allows travellers to share the itinerary of their dreams with others and communicate their passion for adventure to the world – I don’t think you could ask for anything more from a travel contest.”
The Create Your Own Adventure contest invites everyone from once-a-year vacationers to seasoned globetrotters to submit an itinerary for the tour of their dreams, virtually anywhere in the world, virtually any way they want. Everyone with a winning tour idea can log on to www.createyourownadventure.com and use the customized itinerary engine to build their dream trip. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2010 and the creator of the winning tour will have the opportunity to experience their adventure along with two lucky friends.
“Having Patricia Schultz come aboard as a judge simply is the perfect addition to this panel,” said Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip. “Her commitment to exploring the world in search of authentic travel experiences aligns perfectly with our goals when we first dreamt up this contest. I can’t wait for her to join me and the rest of our travel-loving judges to select the finalists.”
About Patricia Schultz
Patricia Schultz is the author of the international bestsellers 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (now with nearly 3 million copies in print and translated into 25 languages) and 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die. A veteran travel journalist with 25 years of experience, she has written for Frommer’s, Berlitz and Access travel guides, as well as BusinessWeek, Oprah and Real Simple. She also executive-produced a Travel Channel television show based on her book, 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. Her home base is New York City.
www.1000beforeyoudie.com
March 11th and Earlier Reports & Updates from ATTA Members in Chile
March 3, 2010
Update – March 11 - According to multiple international media outlets, Chile has been rocked by a series of major aftershocks, including the latest, a 7.2 magnitude jolt according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The ATTA will attempt to connect with its members in the country and will report updates from within the country as reports arrive.
March 9 – From Trekking Chile:
Hi Paula,
It would be a big help if you promote our foundation work and needs here in the center of the earthquake. Everything is in three languages at http://www.trekkingchile.com/DE/stiftung-projekte-long.php?id=190 It’s a lousy english I know.
We wanted to join the ITB but we have a lot to do at home.
Best regards and thanks writing us,
Franz Schubert, Trekking Chile
March 9 – From COCHA Destination Management Division:
Subject: Daily Report
Dear friends and partners,
Continuing with the updated report of the situation in Chile, as of today Tuesday 9, 2010 we would like to inform the following:
* Santiago Airport: we remind you that chek-in process, international police, Customs and luggage claim are being held in big tents specially installed. For departing flights, the authorities recommend to arrived to Santiago Airport 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours for a domestic flight. The process, as expected, is slower than the usual, therefore, it is recommended to bring a bottle of water.
* Flights:
o LAN: On saturday 65% of flights were operating. LAN has informed that flights to all destinations have been resumed, however not with the same frequency yet. Due to the large amount to rescheduled flights, LAN is requiring to reconfirm at www.lan.com all flights departing or arriving in prior to March 21st. They hope to be able to return to operating 100% of their flights shortly.
o Please remember to confirm status and schedule of the flight directly with the airline.
Jorge Guazzini P
Managing Director
Destination Management Division COCHA
March 9 – From Fantastico Sur Expeditions:
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March 5 – From COCHA Destination Management Division
CONNIE AVALOS
Product Manager
Destination Management Division
Direct Line: 56 2 464 1363
Fax Number: 56 2 464 2270
cavalos@cocha.com
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March 5 – From Remota
March 5 – From Indomita – Big Foot
Hi Paula, thanks for your email and thinking of us. We are all fine here in Puerto Natales (Sergio included). Thankfully we were not affected by the earthquake. The worst hit areas were Concepcion and the central region like Santiago and all the Chilean people are coming together now to donate what they can to help the people that need it.
Since the earthquake has happened we have had a number of trip cancellations, mainly due to the fact that Santiago airport was closed and people were unable to get down to the South so tourism here has slowed down. One thing that would help is to get the message out that things are getting back to normal and we are operating as normal as we are nowhere near the earthquake zone.
Many thanks
Kerri
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March 5 – From Antarctic Dream:
Subject: Antarctic Dream in Up and Running…
“First of all we would like to thank you deeply for your concern.
The major earthquake that we experienced on Saturday at 03.34 am has not impacted our families and friends.
Our employees or operations are located far away from the epicenter of the quake in Ushuaia we are functioning as normally.
We are now coming to the end of our Antarctic season on march 10, 2010. Looking forward to start our Arctic Season 2010.
We are a strong country with a strong soul we will rise from this unfortunate situation.
Chile is full of courage to step up!!
Best Regards,
Sabrina Plaza Garnica
Product & Marketing”
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March 4 – From Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
Hola Paula,
Many thanks for your email, words and good vibes towards us!
Nobody on the office suffered a great loss, just minor and sort of “cosmetic” issues in some houses. Compared to some towns and cities in the near south we were really lucky!
Thanks for your offer! The best you can do for us right now is to spread the word that besides the earthquake and tsunami in some places in Chile the rest is working almost as usual, in some places not even an earthquake was sensed (like in Patagonia or Atacama)
If you can send the document we’re preparing will be great (I’m saying preparing because we still need to work on the design issue… but for the moment it will do the job I think)
I’m also writing down the URL of the situation with regards our company: http://www.cascada.travel/index.php
All the Best
Daniel Sanhueza Lira.
Communications Manager
Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
Details provided:
Earthquake in Chile: 75% of Chilean Territory Untouched
Wed March 3rd 2010.
“Chile is well-prepared”
Catherine Bragg, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief
Tue March 2nd 2010.
“Chile’s natural jewels in Patagonia and Atacama without a scratch”
Rodrigo Mata, Destination Manager at a local outfitter company.
Tue March 2nd 2010.
On Feb 27th 2010, 03:34 hrs local time, the central zone of Chile was hit by a strong 8.8-Richter-level earthquake originated near Cauquenes Province in the Chilean 7th Region. Major zones affected are located in the 6th, 7th, 8th regions and very few points of Valparaiso and the Metropolitan Area of Santiago. The 14th, 10th, 11th and 12th regions which comprise what is commonly known as the Chilean Patagonia, and the 15th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th regions which comprise what is commonly known as Atacama and Norte Grande, all these embracing 75% of Chilean territory unaffected by the earthquake waves.
The entire operations and touristic services in the Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine NP, the Lake District, Atacama Desert, San Pedro de Atacama and the Altiplano are totally normal and safe. Santiago City is working as usual and recovering the few places affected by the quake, including Santiago’s International Airport, which is the only point of real interruption at the moment. The airport by Tue March 2nd was working at 20% of its capacity while recovering works are going on. The Chilean National Aeronautical Authority expects that by March’s second week the airport recovers the most of its normal capacity.
We encourage all world travelers coming to Chile in the next weeks with travel plans including little or non-affected zones like Santiago, Valparaiso, Atacama, Altiplano, Patagonia and the Lake District to be confident about their plans. As soon as Santiago’s International Airport recovers its normal capacity there is no objective reason to delay visiting Chile’s marvelous places. Moreover, when keeping ongoing the travel plans for Chile, travelers will be contributing with the country overall economy which indirectly helps relieve suffering in those specific zones affected by the earthquake.
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March 4 – From – LAN – for more crisis updates, visit: http://www.lan.com/about_us/noticias/index_contingencia-en-us.html
Santiago, March 3rd, 2010, latest update done at 23:55 (EST)
Reviewed at 10:00 (EST), no changes have been made since last update.
LAN Airlines – Chile Earthquake Information for Passengers
As of Tuesday, March 2nd, LAN Airlines has been authorized to reinstate restricted operations of inbound and outbound domestic and international flights from Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, given the damage sustained by the airport. Despite the fact that we are operating out of temporary, makeshift facilities provided by LAN, we have been able to operate 45% of the inbound and outbound flights at Santiago, improving upon the 30% we had operated in previous days. Click here to read more.
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March 4 – From Tourism Chile:
TURISMO CHILE UPDATE NUMBER 2
ON CHILE’S TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE FOLLOWING SATURDAY’S EARTHQUAKE
SANTIAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REPORTS DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHT OPERATIONS GRADUALLY RESUMING
March 2, 2010 – Following the magnitude 8.8 quake that hit central Chile in the early morning
hours of Saturday February 27, 2010, Santiago International Airport suffered structural damage to
the passenger terminal. No damage was reported to the runways and taxiways. All incoming
and departing flight operations were suspended until authorities evaluated the situation in order
to guarantee maximum safety for passengers. Turismo Chile would like to communicate the
latest update regarding operations at Santiago International Airport provided by the airport
authority, SCL Aeropuerto de Santiago, on March 2, 2010 following a meeting with Chile’s
National Civil Aviation Authority and airlines operating at the airport.
Flight operations will resume in two phases:
Phase 1 – March 2 to 5, 2010 – Domestic flights will gradually resume operations with a limited
schedule between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and international flights also with a limited schedule will be
operating between 8.pm and 8 a.m. A temporary makeshift terminal has been set up in tents in
order to process departing passengers. All arriving international flights during this period will
stopover in another Chilean city prior to landing in Santiago in order for passengers to clear
Chilean customs and immigration formalities.
Phase 2 – March 5th onward – Domestic and international flights will be operating 24 hours. All
domestic flight arrivals and departures will be operating out of a makeshift terminal set up in
tents located to the east of the airport’s old terminal. International flight departures will move to
the domestic flights sector of the current terminal. International arriving passengers will clear
Chilean customs and immigration formalities in a makeshift facility set up in tents to the west of
the current terminal.
All passengers should contact their airline for updated information on flight schedules and
changes.
US and Canadian tour operators and media requiring additional information or assistance can
contact Turismo Chile at ofitur@embassyofchile.org
**********************************************************************
March 4 – From Hacienda Los Lingues-Chile (edited for clarity)
Santiago, Chile, March 2, 2010
Dear Sirs:
Hacienda Los Lingues is not in condition to receive passengers due to the arthquake in Chile that happened the last Saturday. For this reason, lamentably, we will be unable to realize reservations of housing until further notice.
All these reservations that have been realized for the next months, we will not able to consider until further notice.
We will be in contact with you, as soon as possible.
My best personal regards,
Germán Claro Lyon
General Manager
Hacienda Los Lingues-Chile
Phone: 56-2-4310510 //
E.mail: informaciones@loslingues.com
www.loslingues.com
**********************************************************************************
March 3 – From: Hotel Antumalal, Pucon Chile
“Dear Paula (Mendes,
We have received many calls & letters from our friends & customers, thank you for your care & concern.
Revealing images are showing the world the dimensions of the earthquake, and public systems are slowly being reestablished. Our phone system is normal and the airports are now opening.
This is a big disaster for our little country!
In Pucon the jolt was strong – we were up all night – however, there is no damage. Our main concern was the volcano, yet it appears completely still and vigilant of our unrest. Antumalal is a fortress built on rock , wise man : Don Guillermo …. The hotel´s 60 anniversary will be October 2010.!!
We resisted the quake of 1960 – and today once again, we are blessed with no damage. Our family & staff are doing well. Warm summer days continue & our guests are enjoying our flower´s late blooming as the park is alive with color.
We ask for your prayers for those less fortunate: we do hurt for them – as we contemplate the paradise around us.
Thank you again, for your concern and we hope to see you soon in the near future.
Best regards,
Rony Pollak
Hotel Antumalal
Pucon Chile
“Simply an Experience”
f: 56 45 441011
www.antumalal.com
*********************************************
March 3 – From: Tierra Atacama
Hello Paula – thanks for your concern. Personally I am in Europe and travelled before the earthquake, so missed everything. Fortunately my family and friends back in Chile are well and safe. I am attaching our latest press release, as the Atacama was not affected in the slightest, and our offices in Santiago are functioning normally. It’s important to note that whilst the area affected has been devastated and it will require time and a lot of effort before things are back to normal, the rest of Chile, including Patagonia, Atacama and Easter Island are all functioning normally and once Santiago Airport is fully operational (expected early next week) there is no reason NOT to visit chile! We need support to get this message out as the media in general is concentrating specifically on the worst hit area, which is more than 1000 miles from Atacama and Patagonia.
Thank you and best regards!
Fiona Martin
Sales & Marketing Manager
Tierra Atacama
Santiago de Chile, 3rd March 2010
A message from Tierra Atacama:
Dear Friends;
We thank you all for your concern and the messages of support we have received following the unfortunate events which occurred in the south of Chile early on the morning of Saturday 27th February. We are relieved to report that all our employees, families and friends are well. The earthquake was hardly felt in the north of Chile where Tierra Atacama is situated and everything is running absolutely normally.
Our commercial offices in Santiago are operating normally and you can contact us via email or telephone where our team is waiting to assist you.
We would also like to inform you that the DGAC (the Chilean Civil Aviation Authority) has now permitted the partial opening of Santiago airport, starting with a limited national and international service which will increase slowly over the next few days until normal services are resumed.
For the moment we are offering two alternatives for those guests who are unable to travel to Tierra Atacama in the near future. Change the date of the reservation for one in the future, or request a 100% refund. Please let us know if you would like to take one of these options.
If you would like to help Chile recover from this event, the Chilean Red Cross is accepting donations in the following bank account;
Citibank / Account Number : 9941973331 / ABA Code: :021000089 / Address; 153 East 53 Rd. Street 4th floor. NY, NY 10022.
If there is any additional information we can help you with, please do let us know and thank you once again for your support and concern.
Warm Regards
Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa
***********************************************
March 3 – From: The Cascada Expediciones and EcoCamp Patagonia Team
Chile´s Earthquake Important Notification
On Feb 27th 2010, 03:34 hrs local time, the central zone of Chile was hit by a strong 8.3-Richter-level earthquake originated near Cauquenes Province in the Chilean 7th Region. Major zones affected are located in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th regions and the Metropolitan Area of Santiago. The 10th, 11th and 12th regions which comprise what is commonly known as the Chilean Patagonia, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th regions which comprise what is commonly known as Atacama and Norte Grande were not affected by the earthquake waves.
Having clarified this, we notify that all the operations and touristic services developed by Cascada Expediciones and EcoCamp Patagonia in the Altiplano, Atacama Desert, the Lakes District and Chilean Patagonia, including Torres del Paine NP and San Pedro de Atacama are totally normal and safe. Regarding food, energy and general supplies for the Chilean Patagonia –our main operational zone- have no danger of shortages as these are normally brought from the Argentinean neighbor province of Santa Cruz.
The only point of interruption of our service operational chain is Santiago’s International Airport, which suffered significant damage in the passengers’ transit area having to stop all its operations while recovering works are going on. Recently the Chilean National Aeronautical Authority announced that this airport will start operating again on a partial basis starting from tomorrow Monday March 1st. The same organism stated that apart from this Airport the entire nation’s aeronautical infrastructure is working normally and safely at full capacity.
The entire network of Cascada Expediciones and EcoCamp Patagonia employees and provider partners are working hard to keep our operations as successful, safe and normal as it have been previous to this natural phenomenon and we encourage all our past, current and future travelers to be confident with their travel plans and continue enjoying our services in Chile and Argentina.
For further information or requests please contact your Cascada’s travel consultant. We will keep updating the news as advances go on.
Saludos desde Chile,
The Cascada and EcoCamp Patagonia Team
****************************************************
March 3 – From: Ski Portillo:
Dear Paula, Thank you very much for your concern. Fortunately, we are all right here and the hotel too. The worst happened down in the south of our country, devastating dear. I’m forwarding you the press release our Marketing Mngr. Constanza Moya has just sent.
“ Dear Partners,
Thanks for your concern and support during this very difficult moments Chile is going through after the earthquake.
We want to share with you the press release we sent about the hotel, lifts and road.
Best regards,
Constanza MoyaMarketing Director | Directora de MarketingSki Portillo-Chilewww.skiportillo.comTel: 56-2-263 0606Toll Free USA: 1-800-829-5325 or from Canada 1-800-514-2579P Ahorre tinta y papel, imprima este mensaje sólo si es necesario.
SKI PORTILLO IS UNHURT BY THE CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE
Hotels, Infrastructure, Ski Lifts and Roads are in good condition
Portillo, Chile (March, 2n, 2010) .- Ski Portillo, located approximately 100 miles from Santiago, Chile’s capital city, escaped the recent earthquake with no injuries, and only superficial repairs. Tierra Atacama, sister hotel, located in San Pedro de Atacama, more than 1,000 miles north of the epicenter, is also undamaged.
According to Henry Purcell, owner of Ski Portillo, “We have some superficial cracks and some painting to do, but the roads to Portillo and all of the lifts made it through the earthquake without incident. We are very fortunate to have escaped without any injuries or damages, but we grieve for the people of Concepcion, which is far from Portillo and near the epicenter of the quake and I encourage anyone who wants to help to send their humanitarian support.”
“There should be no impact for travelers to Ski Portillo for the season, which runs from June 19 – Oct. 2, 2010. And for travelers to Tierra Atacama, which is open all year, there should be no problem once the Santiago airport is back to normal probably next week.”
To send aid, Ski Portillo recommends donating to one of two of Chile’s leading charities, or to the international organizations Habitat for Humanity/World Vision or Red Cross:
- Un Techo Para Chile (A Roof for Chile) – Similar to Habitat for Humanity, and will help those who lost their homes to rebuild anew. http://www.untechoparamipais.org/chile/.
- Hogar de Cristo (Home of Christ) – Founded by a priest who recently was named as a saint. It focuses on the less fortunate, and will be helping victims of the earthquake. Hogar de Cristo also accepts and distributes clothing, toys and food. www.hogardecristo.cl
- Habitat for Humanity or World Vision. Send an SMS with the text “CHILE” to either # 20222 or #25383 to donate US$10 to Habitat for Humanity or World Vision.
- Red Cross: www.redcross.com
For more than 60 years, Ski Portillo has seamlessly united the spectacular beauty of the Chilean Andes, the pure joy of skiing and snowboarding, the camaraderie of friends and family, and the resort’s unique brand of hospitality and service, delivering unforgettable vacation experiences where guests create the memories of a lifetime. For more information or to book a Portillo vacation (including air travel), visit www.skiportillo.com or email reservas@skiportillo.com or call toll-free from North America, 1.800.829.5325.
Our best wishes for you and team.
Susana Guzmán
Asistente
Gerencia General
susana@skiportillo.com
Tel. 56 263 0606
Fax. 56 2 263 0595
www.skiportillo.com
Toll Free USA 800 8295325
Toll Free Canada 800 514 2579
****************************************************
March 3 – From: Cascada de las Animas
From: “Joe Willis Jones” <joe@cascada.net>Date: March 3, 2010 9:48:50 AM GMT-08:00To: <paula@adventuretravel.biz>Subject: RE: Checking in after the earthquake
Hi Paula,
Thank you for your email and your concern. In our area of Chile, we experienced virtually no damage from the earthquake and are operating normally. Our biggest issue at the moment is to reassure incoming guests that the earthquake will not impact their visit, and that there is no cause for alarm or reason to cancel their visit.
We have posted a notice on the main page of our website www.cascada.net, to apprise visitors of the situation and the effect of the earthquake on Chile’s tourism industry. If you have a moment, please have a look at it.
As far as what the ATTA can do to help, the organization should do its best to reassure tourists that there is no reason to take Chile off of their schedule. The effect of the earthquake on tourism opportunities and services is minimal, and the revenue generated by tourism will be a significant part of the monies need to help fund the recovery efforts that are necessary to help those Chileans who were affected by the earthquake.
Thanks again,
Joe Willis Jones
Cascada de las Animas
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Editor’s Note – March 3: ATTA waited a few days in the immediate aftermath of the Chilean tragedy to contact our Members there to see if there’s anything the the adventure tourism industry might do to try to assist our friends and colleagues in their time of need. Below you’ll find a couple of responses from Chile from the morning of March 3rd. ATN will continue to publish here updates on the situation, along with appeals from our ATTA Members there.
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