Member Press Releases
New Fall Harvard Extension School Course Explores Sustainable Tourism
September 2, 2010
CAMBRIDGE, MA — Tourism is considered by the United Nations as one of the largest industries in the world, but its diverse, global footprint can threaten ecosystems and local cultures worldwide. Recognizing the need for formal training in the area of sustainable tourism, the Harvard Extension School this fall offers the new course, Environmental Management of International Tourism Development—both online and on campus—as part of its Graduate Program in Sustainability and Environmental Management. Taught by sustainable tourism expert Megan Epler Wood, the course lays out specific methodologies for managing tourism sustainably worldwide. Lectures and readings on the global tourism industry’s business and supply chain models preface an in-depth review of how mainstream tourism companies can more effectively take on the challenge of environmental management worldwide. Explains Ms. Wood, “Industries around the world are making environmental management an integral part of their... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesAdventureSmith Explorations Helps Guide Return Of Small Ship Adventure Cruising To Alaska’s Inside Passage
September 1, 2010
Two Newly Refurbished Ships and Never Before Offered Activities All Set for the 2011 Season Where the Concept of Active Cruising Began Tahoe City, CA–AdventureSmith Explorations, the active travel company that secures matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small, expedition ships returns to the Alaskan wilderness in the summer of 2011 with two newly renovated ships and a variety of unprecedented off-ship activities. The redesigned vessels now in place for next summer are the same pioneering small ships that AdventureSmith Explorations founder and president, Todd Smith, helped design and direct during their first deployment to Alaska in the 1990s. They were the first cruises of their kind to offer enough kayaks and gear to accommodate every passenger during off-vessel wilderness activities which evolved to become the primary focus of today’s adventure cruise. “When these ships (the M/V Wilderness Adventurer and M/V Wilderness Discoverer) were pulled in 2005... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesJITOA wins a one year grant from JEDCO/JSMP
August 30, 2010
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) announce wining a grant worth 100.000 Euros from the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and signed the grant agreement Monday for over one year period under the Jordan Services Modernisation Programme (JSMP) managed by JEDCO. The grant is funded by the European Commission (EC-Financed and JE managed) for implementation of the action entitled “Developing the Capacity of JITOA and its Members”. The grant aims at implementing several projects and activities within the association’s strategies to build on JITOA capacity development and sustainability through enhancing the performance and profitability of its members, and enhancing JITOA communication and networking channels within the tourism industry. Mohammad Samih, JITOA Chairman said “we anticipate quantifiable outcomes from the activities that will be implemented under this grant due to the various opportunities it will offer to our members and the tourism sector... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesEcoventura’s Santiago Dunn in The International Ecotourism Society’s Spotlight As an Award Designee and Featured Conference Panelist
August 19, 2010
MIAMI, Aug. 17, 2010 – Ecoventura, the pacesetter for responsible tourism to the Galapagos, announces Executive President Santiago Dunn will be a guest panelist at the The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC), September 8-10 in Portland, OR. Dunn, on behalf of his visionary, small-ship expedition cruise company, Ecoventura, is also a finalist for TIES’ 2010 first annual Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism Award that will be announced at the Presentation Ceremony during the closing reception on Friday, Sept. 10. On Sept. 9 during the Tour Operators roundtable discussion on sustainable tourism business strategies Dunn will discuss how since 1999 Ecoventura has become a recognized leader in sustainable tourism to the Galapagos Islands. Through its core commitment to the ongoing sustainability of this fragile and at-risk ecosystem, Ecoventura is a case study for communities and regions seeking to discourage the negative effects... Read More →
Member Press Releases Trade EventsSpecial Denver Premiere: “Global Sustainability: Central America to Maine”
August 19, 2010
Presented by AFAR Magazine In Cooperation with Denver Green Drinks Special Guest Speaker: Joshua Berman, Author of “Moon Nicaragua” Please join Green Living Project for it’s newest multi-media event showcasing cutting-edge global sustainability stories! This exciting event features projects across Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Maine)! Special 20% Off Coupon at Tattered Cover Book Store. Plus, complimentary food, beer, beverages, free giveaways for the first 50 attendees, LIVE music, and much more! A voluntary $10 donation is requested at the door, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a featured GLP Project – chosen by YOU! Join us for this Special Denver event! HIGHLIGHTS - Popular multi-media event on global sustainability - Special 20% Off* Coupon at Tattered Cover Book Store - 1st 50 attendees receive free gear giveaways - Complimentary food by Mad Greens, Mercury Cafe, Chipotle - Beer and beverages compliments of New Belgium... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesBook the Adventure of a Lifetime with AvidTrips.com; BETA Site Launches
August 19, 2010
New York, NY – AvidTrips, a next generation online adventure travel marketplace, today announced the launch of its beta site, www.AvidTrips.com. Featuring a rapidly growing inventory of horseback riding, bicycling, mountain climbing, hiking/trekking and safari tours, the new website is an encompassing resource for both searching and booking authentic, transformational travel experiences around the globe. AvidTrips offers the rare opportunity of connecting travelers directly with local tour operators, providing a trustworthy platform to ask technical questions on everything from gear and equipment to local conditions. Users will also find side-by-side comparison of rates, difficulty levels and routes among different operators, and can easily book on AvidTrips.com – at no service charge. “We’re excited to bring transparency and efficiency to one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry,” said Sanem Eruçar, Founder and CEO. “While adventure... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesBruce Smith of Seascape Kayak Tours Wins Environmental Lifetime Achievement Award
August 18, 2010
Richardson, Deer Island, New Brunswick– It was announced August 13 in Fredericton, N.B., by New Brunswick’s Environment Minister, Rick Miles, that Bruce Smith of Seascape Kayak Tours Inc. is the winner of the Department of Environment’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The recognition is one of six Environmental Leadership Awards presented annually to individuals, groups and businesses in New Brunswick that demonstrate exceptional leadership in the enhancement and protection of the environment. A panel of independent judges selected the recipients, who will be honored later in the year. “I deeply appreciate the support and confidence placed in me by the Department of Environment and by our provincial government,” said Smith, founder and owner of Seascape Kayak Tours. “This important recognition is an honor not only to me, but to the entire Seascape team, without which it would not be possible.” A Canadian leader in sustainable adventure travel and ecotourism, Seascape Kayak Tours... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesMeet Global Luminaries Aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Explorer
August 13, 2010
Travel With a Who’s Who of Fascinating Travel Companions From The Top Tiers of World Affairs, Journalism and Exploration NEW YORK, N.Y.– Lindblad Expeditions has announced their Global Luminaries program for 2010/2011. Renowned for their staff’s expertise in the regions they explore, Global Luminaries will add an extra layer of interest and insight to their expeditions with special guests drawn from the top tiers of world affairs, broadcast journalism, and exploration and research. The Global Luminaries title refers to what these remarkable individuals contribute to the expedition community at large – a relevant global perspective. The unique program is available exclusively aboard National Geographic Explorer and affords guests the opportunity to travel and explore with world-class personalities, as fellow guests, in the intimate and conversational environment of an expedition – and not just in the context of a presentation or talk from the podium. Some of the... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesIn The Saddle named by the British Travel Awards as contender for the Best Activity/Sports Tour Operator
August 13, 2010
The company is up against stiff competition but, as Olwen Law, managing director of In The Saddle explains, the company is thrilled to be nominated: “We are the first equestrian company to be listed for these awards, and we are delighted to have been nominated. We’re up against some very well known companies as these are, essentially, THE awards for the travel industry. We receive amazing feedback from customers each and every day so we are hoping to translate this positivity into votes to be in with a chance of winning.” BTA’s chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: “The British Travel Awards are widely considered to be the “Oscars” of the travel industry! It’s the largest awards programme in the UK created to reward travel companies and the winning accolade is the benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out who really is the best in the business of travel for the UK consumer.” “We are thrilled to have got this far and would love our customers to vote.... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesGeographic Travel Club provides new product: Heli-skiing in Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and Iran
July 31, 2010
Winter 2010/2011 Armenian leading adventure tour operator Geographic Travel Club will offer a new product for experienced backcountry skiers who aim to explore new slopes – Heli-skiing in Armenia – as the result of many requests from partners, after they visited Armenia for Ski-touring. Armenia has large mountain ranges with hundreds of summits between 3,000-4,000 meters and in the wintertime the snow cover on the mountain slopes is great. According to the company’s vision after the upcoming winter season, Armenia is going to be quite competitive with the neighbors who do Heli-skiing in Georgia, Turkey and Iran. The programs will be organized on the highest mountains of Armenia like Mt. Aragats (4100m), Geghama mountain range with its highest peak Azhdahak (3597m) and Mt Ishkhanasar (3550m). Options will include Heli-skiing and Ski-touring on the different mountains. The best period for the program is from February 10 to March 15, but it also may be recommended from Jan 1 to March... Read More →
