Partner News
OpenTravel Launches the OpenTravel Forum
December 22, 2009
Editor’s Note: Long-time partners of the ATTA, the Open Travel Alliance, a community where companies in the electronic distribution supply chain work together to create an accepted structure for electronic messages, opened a new forum for professionals within the adventure travel sector to actively contribute to the dialogue. Below, please find OTA’s Executive Director Valyn Perini’s open invitation to participate: “Members and friends of OpenTravel, Over the years, hundreds of you have used the OpenTravel Implementers Forum to post your questions or comments about implementing OpenTravel schema. Built on the free Google Groups platform, this forum was technically unsophisticated and completely unmoderated by OpenTravel. It met a need, but had limited usefulness. We’ve heard your requests for a more robust Forum to use as a resource for your implementations of OpenTravel schema, so we are delighted to announce the launch of the OpenTravel Forum. Built on... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases Industry Partner News Partner NewsFirst ISO Adventure Tourism Working Group Meeting Set for October 23, Adjacent to 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Québec, Canada
August 26, 2009
Summit Gains Traction as Organizers Schedule Around ATTA’s Annual Conference (SEATTLE) – Led by two authoritative standards organizations – Brazil’s Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) and the United Kingdom’s BSI, endorsed by the global Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and backed by a 27-country ISO vote, the newly formed ISO Adventure Tourism Working Group (ISO TC 228) has scheduled its first meeting adjacent to the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit October 19-22 in Charlevoix, Québec, Canada. The ISO group’s October 23rd meeting coincides with other specialized tourism entities that are scheduling meetings and events throughout the ATTA’s annual fall Summit. For 2009, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), VAST (Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel), ABETA – the Adventure and Ecotourism Association of Brazil, and Trusted Adventures, a collection of U.S.-based tour operators, each will collaborate with the ATTA in assembling co-located... Read More →
Industry Partner News Partner NewsOpenTravel Announces 2009-2010 Board of Directors
August 13, 2009
(August 12, 2009) – The OpenTravel Alliance (OpenTravel), the travel industry’s leading distribution specification standards development organization, announced its board of directors for 2009-2010. For the first time, the board includes representatives from the timeshare/vacation rental and tour operators segments. “The travel distribution world is changing, and OpenTravel is changing along with it. We know emerging travel segments like vacation rental, golf and tour operators are poised to explode their online distribution capabilities,” said Valyn Perini, executive director of OpenTravel. “With representation on the board from companies in the vanguard of these emerging segments, we are well-positioned to provide to these segmentsthe value of standard messaging and interoperability.” Air Carrier Board Representative Michelle Aaron, Director Application Development, PSS Replacement, American Airlines Hotel Company Board Representative Lisa Fues,... Read More →
New & Different Partner NewsPartners ATTA & AIA Release First Version of “Guide to Best Practices for Archaeological Tourism”
June 18, 2009
Tourism Industry Feedback Sought, Deadline for Comment July 15, 2009 (June 18, 2009) — Archaeological sites and historic places are major tourist attractions worldwide. In the last few years, visits to historical sites have ranked third—after dining in restaurants and shopping—among activities undertaken by Americans traveling abroad. The number of people that visit archaeological sites rises every year and this increase can have significant negative impacts on archaeological sites. In many instances, increased visits have led to damage at sites and often portions of sites have to be cordoned off from the public to prevent further deterioration. In extreme cases, sites have been closed to the public. The popularity of archaeological sites as tourist attractions makes them valuable sources of revenue, but unfortunately economic exploitation of sites is often not matched by reinvestment in proper site management to ensure both protection of the site and its continued enjoyment by... Read More →
By the Numbers Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearOutdoor Industry Association Survey Reveals Industry Cautious About Economic Recovery
June 5, 2009
Revenue and inventory plans appear appropriately conservative Boulder, CO, – In a survey released June 1, 2009, by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), small businesses reported they have lowered revenue expectations, reduced inventory levels, and believe their businesses will rebound later than they expected last fall. OIA, in conjunction with Piper Jaffray Companies, recently surveyed industry executives with respect to their view of current economic prospects, recovery timeline, cost inflation, and the effect of tightened credit market on near-term business operations. Results of that survey are now available in a new report entitled, The Piper Jaffray Outdoor Industry Survey. This was the second survey conducted by OIA and Piper Jaffray in the past six months, and reflected a cautious and realistic picture of the economic situation facing the industry. Nearly all respondents were independent businesses with revenues less than $50M annually, which provides an excellent gauge of the... Read More →
Member Press Releases Must Read/View Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearFirst Ascent Team Summits Everest, Including ATTA Advisory Board Emeritus Member Viesturs
May 22, 2009
Viesturs and Whittaker Return Eddie Bauer to the Top of the World SEATTLE, WA – On the morning of May 19, two legendary mountaineers on the First Ascent “Return to Everest” expedition reached the highest point on Earth. Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker stood on the summit with members of their production crew before descending to High Camp at 26,000 feet. Forced to spend an extra 24 hours in the “death zone” while waiting for high winds and whiteout conditions to improve, the team began their final summit push around 11:00 p.m. on the evening of May 18. Their successful summit comes 46 years and 18 days after Whittaker’s uncle, Jim, became the first American to do so, on May 1, 1963. The common thread between the two expeditions besides the Whittaker name: Eddie Bauer was the outfitter, then and now. First Ascent marks Eddie Bauer’s return to its heritage as America’s original expedition outfitter. The Return to Everest expedition includes... Read More →
By the Numbers Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearMarch and Q1 (U.S.) Outdoor Sales Decline, Camping and Internet Sales on Rise
May 6, 2009
BOULDER, CO – March 2009 retail sales for all core outdoor stores (chain, internet, specialty)* combined dropped 5% compared to last March, moving from $369,182,477 to $349,797,17, according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, produced for OIA by the Leisure Trends Group. Sales for the entire first quarter totaled $1.1B, down 7% from the same period in 2008 Although both chain and specialty stores declined in March and so far this year, with specialty stores down 12% in dollar sales compared to last March and chain stores down 8%, declines softened in both channels and multiple categories gained in each. Signs of life, however, emerged as internet sales were back in the black this month, jumping 14% in dollars over both last March and Q1 2008. Internet Rebounds, Equipment Sales Increase 26% According to the OIA Outdoor Topline Report, internet sales totaled $81M this month, jumping 5% in units, 8% in retail price and 14% in... Read More →
New & Different Partner NewsGeotourism Challenge 2009 Nomination Deadline Nears
May 6, 2009
Online Contest Seeks Top Innovators in Sustainable Tourism The National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers entry process for the second annual “Geotourism Challenge” to showcase how tourism done well sustains, enhances and preserves local culture and the environment is winding down this month. The competition will identify individuals worldwide who have introduced the most innovative practices in tourism and destination stewardship. Conducted in partnership with Ashoka’s Changemakers, the global Geotourism Challenge will accept online applications at www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge through May 20, 2009. Applicants must demonstrate an innovation that protects destination quality and furthers geotourism, defined by National Geographic as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.” During this period, anyone can debate, endorse or provide additional... Read More →
Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearOutdoor Industry Association Launches Economic Confidence Survey
April 21, 2009
BOULDER, CO (April 21, 2009) – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the launch of a new online survey, the results of which will shed light on the outdoor industry’s current economic situation. OIA, in partnership with Piper Jaffray & Co, fielded the Piper Jaffray Economic Confidence Survey to provide real time data about how industry leaders view the macro economic environment and the overall health of the outdoor industry. The survey builds on the initial results collected in its late 2008 survey, entitled Piper Jaffray Survey of Consumer Industry Executives. “Many of our members have told us that they are concerned about employment trends, inventory levels, effects of the credit market and sustainability and environmental trends in our industry,” commented Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. “Outdoor Industry Association is committed to helping our members by providing the critical business information contained in this survey.” The brief survey... Read More →
By the Numbers Member Press Releases Partner News Spotlight: OperatorsAsia Travel Experts See Surge in Last-minute Bookings
March 17, 2009
Immediate Turnaround No Problem for Asia Transpacific Journeys BOULDER, CO, March 2009 – Time was when a trip to Asia was months in the planning. Now that’s no longer true, according to Asia Transpacific Journeys. “A family called on Thursday. They had good airline rates to Thailand. We put the trip together for them overnight and they were out the door on Sunday,” says Marilyn Downing Staff, CEO of Asia Transpacific Journeys, specialists in travel to Asia and Pacific Rim destinations for 21 years. Does this mean that the price of airline tickets is driving folks’ travel decisions? In some cases, yes, Downing Staff says, remembering when the time between request and travel was about nine months out. “Our clients are also booking last-minute, booking shorter trips and visiting destinations that are very economical, but they’re not taking what might be called budget trips,” she says. “They may forego a five-star accommodation for four stars but they still want private guides,... Read More →
