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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Iconic 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 Eddie Bauer name has meant a lot of things to a lot of people across North America,” said Neil Fiske, President and CEO of Eddie Bauer. “This year, we are happy to celebrate the rich history of the company and the man who not only brought quality, outdoors apparel and gear into people’s homes and closets, but also outfitted some of the world’s greatest adventurers.”
Eddie Bauer, himself, dropped out of school at 14 to go to work. But his lack of formal education didn’t prevent him from producing an impressive string of “firsts” that established his reputation and built his company into an American icon:
First Guarantee In 1922, Eddie put his “100% unconditional lifetime guarantee” into writing. This promise was virtually unheard in the day and became the cornerstone of the Eddie Bauer standard of excellence. Long after he retired, Eddie called his guarantee the greatest of his contributions.
First Labrador Retriever In 1930, Eddie brought the first black Labrador retriever into Washington State. An expert hunter, he became a passionate advocate for the breed. In 1960, he formed Wanapum Kennels to raise champion field trial Labs. In 1974, he was named Retriever Breeder of the Year.
First American Shuttlecocks In 1933, Eddie developed a new badminton shuttlecock and formed Bauer’s Shuttles, Inc., “America’s Oldest Established Shuttlecock Manufacturing Firm.” His first two patents were for his shuttlecock.
First Down Jacket In 1935, after suffering life-threatening hypothermia on a winter fishing trip, Eddie built a prototype down jacket, the “Blizzard Proof.” A year later, he introduced the “Skyliner,” which became the first down jacket patented in America (D119122; 1940).
First Down Flight Suit In 1942, Eddie was asked by the U.S. Army Air Forces to design a “cold weather buoyancy flight suit.” The two main criteria were that it had to keep a flier warm while sitting still for up to three hours in -70°F; and in case the plane was shot down over water, it had to keep a flier with 25 pounds of gear afloat for up to 24 hours. Eddie’s down-insulated B-9 Parka and A-8 Flight Pants passed every test, and saved many lives.
First Mountaineering Parka In 1953, Eddie built his first mountaineering parka, the “Kara Koram,” for the American team attempting the first ascent of K2 in Pakistan. For 30 years, the Kara Koram became the standard of excellence for American climbers.
First Ascent of Gasherbrum I In 1958, Eddie outfitted the American team that made the first ascent of Gasherbrum I in Pakistan. It’s the only one of the world’s fourteen 8000-meter peaks first summited by an American team. For the first time, Eddie built the 1958 parkas using ripstop nylon as the shell fabric. It substantially reduced the weight while retaining significant durability.
First Ascent of Masherbrum In 1960, Eddie outfitted the American team that made the first ascent of Masherbrum in Pakistan.
First American Ascent of Everest In 1963, Eddie outfitted the American Mt. Everest Expedition with down parkas and sweaters, climbing pants, mittens and sleeping bags. On May 1, Jim Whittaker became the first American to reach the summit. On May 22, Barry Bishop, Lute Jerstand, Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein also topped out. Unsoeld and Hornbein did it via the previously unclimbed West Ridge.
First Ascent of Mt. Kennedy In 1965, Eddie outfitted the expedition that made the first ascent of Mt. Kennedy in Canada’s Yukon. At that time, it was the highest unclimbed peak in North America. The first man to the top was Senator Robert F. Kennedy, brother of slain American President John F. Kennedy, for whom the mountain was named.
First Ascent of Mt. Vinson In 1966, Eddie outfitted the American Antarctica Mountaineering Expedition. They made first ascents of six peaks in the Sentinel Range, including Mt. Vinson, highest peak on the continent.
First American Ascent of Dhaulagiri In 1973, Eddie Bauer outfitted the American team that first summited the world’s seventh highest peak. The summiteers climbed without bottled oxygen.
First American Ascent of Peak Lenin In 1974, Eddie Bauer outfitted the first American team invited to climb in the Soviet Pamirs. Led by Pete Schoening, the expedition summited Peak Lenin and Peak XIX.
First Ascent of Nanda Devi North Ridge In 1976, Eddie Bauer outfitted the first team to summit Nanda Devi in India via the North Ridge.
First Ascent of Great Trango Tower In 1977, Eddie Bauer outfitted John Roskelley when he was part of the 5-man team to make the first ascent of Great Trango Tower in Pakistan.
First American Ascent of Makalu In 1980, Eddie Bauer outfitted the first American team to summit the world’s fifth highest peak. They climbed without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support.
First Ascent of Everest East Face In 1983, Eddie Bauer outfitted the first team to summit the East Face of Mt. Everest. No one has successfully done so since.
First Ascent Gear In 2009, in collaboration with a dream team of world-class mountain guides, Eddie Bauer launched its new line of mountaineering gear, First Ascent, from the top of Mt. Everest. The First Ascent guides developed the line from the ground up, leading the design process, then testing the gear under some of the harshest mountain conditions throughout the world. Nothing goes to market without their consent. The team is led by Peter Whittaker, son of acclaimed mountaineer Lou Whittaker and nephew of Jim Whittaker, who wore Eddie Bauer gear on his historic first American ascent of Everest. Also part of the team is Ed Viesturs, the first American to summit all fourteen 8000-meter peaks without bottled oxygen; Dave Hahn, who has summited Everest 11 times, more than any non-Sherpa; and three accomplished guides from Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI), the largest mountain guide service in the U.S.: Melissa Arnot, Seth Waterfall, and Chad Peele. Lou and Jim Whittaker have acted as advisers to the team.
In 2010, Eddie Bauer will be celebrating its landmark 90th anniversary with a special one-day event on February 27, and with product launches and other events throughout the year, including the launch of its First Ascent ski collection this fall. As with its First Ascent mountaineering line, Eddie Bauer is working with backcountry guides to build and test ski gear and apparel in some of the alpine’s toughest conditions. Check out the BornOutThere blog at http://blog.firstascent.com/ to follow ski guides and brothers, Reggie and Zach Crist, and extreme skier, Lynsey Dyer, as they travel the country in search of conditions to put the gear to the test.
To learn more, visit the interactive, multimedia timeline at www.eddiebauer.com/heritage.
About Eddie Bauer
Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style and customer service. Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 364 stores throughout the United States and Canada, through catalog sales and online at eddiebauer.com.
Safe Harbor Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “potential” and similar expressions. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are not guarantees of future events, and we cannot assure you that such statements will be realized. In all likelihood, actual results will differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including our inability to hire, retain and train key personnel; delays in enhancement of our disclosure controls and procedures; our inability to revitalize Eddie Bauer as a premium quality brand; changes in general economic conditions, consumer confidence and consumer spending patterns; risks associated with legal and regulatory matters; risks associated with rising energy costs; risks associated with reliance on information technology; challenges as a result of our involvement in our former parent’s bankruptcy process; the diversion of management’s attention from operations while establishing post-emergence infrastructure; our inability to improve profitability of our retail stores, catalogs and website operations; our inability to source our requirements from our current sourcing agents; a significant disruption in our back-end operations; the inability of our joint venture partners to operate our joint ventures effectively; our inability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary intellectual property rights; unseasonable or severe weather conditions; our inability to use our net operating losses to reduce taxes; and the other risks identified in our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
ExOfficio Chooses Adventure Travel Media Source to Expand their PR Reach
February 12, 2010
WELLINGTON, Colo. — ExOfficio has hired Colorado-based Adventure Travel Media Source (ATMS) to seek out new lines of communication for their popular lines of outdoor clothing and gear.
“ATMS have proven themselves in the outdoor industry as an extraordinary asset to expanding the reach of communications. We turned to ATMS because of their unparalleled passion and powerful voice in the industry,” says Jaelithe Milich, ExOfficio Marketing Communications Specialist.
ExOfficio is an outdoor and travel clothing company. They’ve been providing clothing solutions for outdoor & travel enthusiasts since 1987. They are dedicated to making clothing as adventurous as their customers. At ExOfficio, high performance apparel is an obsession. From built-in UV protection to bug repellent apparel, they lead the industry in innovation for the adventure traveler. Whether it’s a trip to the coffee shop or an adventure around the globe, ExOfficio has got you covered.
Corporate offices are located in Tukwila, WA with retail stores in the Seattle area as well as in New York City. Their clothing is sold in many popular retail stores such as REI, Dillard’s Department Stores and online at www.exofficio.com. They recently added a line of shoes to their offerings.
ATMS is pleased to be working with ExOfficio to expand their reach in public relations. ATMS has long enjoyed the reputation of being an industry leader in the field of Adventure Travel Public Relations. Not only does ATMS represent over 100 of the top adventure travel outfitters, operators and destinations in the world, they continue to build a reputation as a leading resource for travel industry professionals world-wide.
For further information about ExOfficio product offerings, please click here: www.exofficio.com or contact milichj@exofficio.com. For further information about this release or public relations services please contact
nancy@atmstravelnews.com.
Report on the Flooding in Peru by Apumayo
February 11, 2010
As all of you must already know, the southern Andean region of Peru has been affected by unusual heavy rains which started on January the 23rd and ended on January the 28th, returning to its normal amounts. These rains caused an extraordinary increment of water carried by the Vilcanota River, almost 1,100 m3/second, when maximum registered was 850 m3/second, an unlikely record.
The cities affected where Andahuaylas, Ayacucho, Puno and overall Cusco, where most of the tourist areas, where closed for a few days.
At this time, weather has return to its normal, all areas including all attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley have normal access, but access to Machu Picchu is limited only by helicopter (Note: Commercial helicopter flights to Machu Picchu will not be allowed until noticed by the government), as huge landslides have damaged 6.15km of the railroad to Machu Picchu. In order to re-establish communication with Machu Picchu town by using the railroad, Ferrocarril Transandino S.A. FTSA has determined to restore the tracks in three stages:
- Hydroelectric – Machu Picchu town: The work will take about 2 weeks to allow visitors and residents to use bimodal transportation to get back to Cusco, that means, train ride from Machu Picchu town to The Hydroelectric station in Santa Teresa (45 minutes) and from there by car back to Cusco (6 to 7). In order to achieve this, it will be necessary to restore the road between Santa Teresa and the Hydroelectric.
- Piscaycucho (km82) – Machu Picchu town: The work will take about six weeks. These restorations will allow visitors to get to Machu Picchu using a bimodal transportation too. This means Train from Machu Picchu town to Piscaycucho (1:30 hrs) and from there, car ride back to Cusco (1:30 hrs). This is the main portion of the railroad to Machu Picchu, which we commonly use for our clients. This also means that for all the programs that were planned to start by train in Cusco and returning back to Cusco by train we will have to add the extra car portion to and from Piscaycucho (km 82).
- Ollantaytambo – Piscaycucho: They expect to finish this work in about 7 weeks in order to res-establish the regular train services. This portion is commonly replaced by the one explained in the second stage.
FTSA guaranties Peruvian authorities, Machu Picchu residents, tour operators, visitors and the community, that professionals are performing their best efforts to achieve the main objectives of the above working plan in order to restore the transportation facilities on the south east railway system.
We recommend you that programs that offer Machu Picchu before March the 20th, have to be modified and offer the above mentioned alternatives or re-direct your clients to other attractions.
Fortunately, the Inca trail to Machu Picchu was not affected and it will be re-opened in March as happens every year; there are just inconveniences to return from Machu Picchu Town back to Cusco as mentioned lines above. Though if your clients prefer not to take the Inca trail we can offer them the following alternative treks:
Cultural & Panoramic Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo. 4D/3N
Trek to Choquekiraw. Canyonland & Incas. 5D/4N
At Apumayo we have designed several alternative tourist routes that can supplement a visit to Machu Picchu or the experience of the Inca Trail, as all tourist attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley are accessible except for Machu Picchu. If you have clients coming to Peru in the following 2 months please ask your contact at Apumayo for these alternative routes.
Volunteering and Donating Opportunities:
Our eyes must not only face the damage caused to the tourist industry which will get back to normal at the end of March, as thousands farming land hectares have been flooded and thousands rural houses have been affected and families have lost everything, help is welcome. As we have your customers coming to our country, we would like you to encourage them to provide donations or participate in volunteer initiatives, such as the ones we have been promoting in Cachiccata since some time ago. These initiatives can be:
- Houses and Schools restorations
- Healthy Meals for kids
- Community Cleaning
- Irrigation channels restoration and water filters
If you are interested in promoting these initiatives, please contact us in order to add these into your current programs or customize the program and start with arrangements.
This message is not to alarm you, it is only to inform you on what has happened and how we are dealing with this matter, as this has not been a mega disaster, it is something that happens about every 10 years as of the Global Weather Change and usually it is prevented, but this time it took authorities by surprise. Things will get back to normal at the end of March. We will keep you informed on how and when will the railroad to Machu Picchu be finally restored and trips to this fantastic attraction will get back to normal.
Global Vision International
February 11, 2010
The number of individuals across the world who dedicate their time to volunteer is immeasurable. Many of these individuals do so because they want to make a difference…
According to the volunteering database, Do-it, the highest motivation for volunteering is to help other people, and one only has to look at the recent events in Haiti to see that there is no shortage of willing individuals who put others before themselves.
The 2007-08 Citizenship Survey, undertaken by Communities and Local Government, found that 27 percent of people in England participated in formal volunteering at least once a month. In the USA, the figure is remarkably similar. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last month that approximately 26.8 percent of the population – some 63.4 million people – volunteered through or for an organization between September 2008 and September 2009.
Much of the time, since the notion of voluntary work is that it is unpaid, people’s best efforts can go unrecognized in the wider field. A campaign venture by GVI entitled Are You The Difference? hopes to change that by providing volunteers from across the globe with the opportunity to showcase their community efforts.
During Spring and Summer 2010, Are You The Difference? will provide a platform for those individuals who wish to share their voluntary experiences and demonstrate the impact they are making by volunteering their time and commitment. In doing so, the global community will witness the formation of a network of individuals taking initiative locally, nationally and internationally from all walks of life and in all manner of activities. Are You The Difference? will celebrate the accomplishments of volunteers worldwide and the diversity of roles in which they are engaged.
Are You The Difference? is inviting individuals to produce a short video showing how they make a difference through volunteering, either within their home country or overseas. Entries will be accepted until 31st May 2010, when a panel of judges, each of whom has demonstrated a strong interest and commitment within the volunteering industry – Justin Francis (Responsible Travel); Ruby Rose (MTV Australia); Donna Callejon (Global Giving) – will select the Top 20 videos from a short-list of fifty videos. The general public will subsequently be able to cast their vote to decide who will be crowned the winner of Are You The Difference?
The winning entrant will be invited to visit critical GVI conservation and community volunteer projects worldwide, reporting on their experiences and thereby further expanding the volunteer network initiated by the campaign. In addition to volunteer placements for one year, the prize includes a round the world flight, travel insurance, outdoor equipment and a video camera.
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