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New National Geographic Yosemite Map Allows Trip-Planning from Desktop; Offers Insiders’ Look at the Huge Sierra Nevada Region
April 7, 2010
Mount Whitney is seen through an arch in the Alabama Hills, Inyo County, Calif. The new National Geographic MapGuide offers an insider’s look at the Sierra Nevada. (Photo by Dean Pennala, courtesy National Geographic) YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif.—The wonders of Yosemite National Park are just the starting point of National Geographic’s newest online Geotourism MapGuide, the latest in digital mapping loaded with interactive features for fun and custom trip planning. To be unveiled Thursday, April 8, the map moves far beyond the famous park’s borders to highlight the region’s unsung treasures, celebrating the world-class natural and cultural heritage of the entire area. The MapGuide to the Yosemite Gateway, is the first of four regions to be highlighted within the enormous Sierra Nevada. The Yosemite Gateway map shares locals’ secrets of one-of-a-kind coffee houses in historic buildings, spectacular drives without the crowds, deserted mining towns, even details on the upcoming... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesMachu Picchu Opens Following Two-month Closure
April 2, 2010
Machu Picchu, Peru’s legendary archaeological site officially reopened April 1st following a two-month closure due to flooding. The Machu Picchu citadel did not experience any damage earlier this year during the heavy rains and landslides in the Peruvian region – a true testament to the architectural and engineering mastery of the Incans – however damage to the railways made the site inaccessible for visitors since January. Tourism Vice Minister Mara Seminario reported that hundreds of foreign tourists entered the city following its official reopening yesterday. Rail service to the town of Machu Picchu, also known as Aguas Calientes, resumed from Piscacucho earlier this week (Monday, March 29) several days ahead of schedule. Visitors will be able to travel from Cusco to Piscacucho by bus, and then continue on to the Aguas Calientes station by train. This re-opening comes just in time for the peak travel season for North American visitors to Peru, leading up to the highly anticipated... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesTrain 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,... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesMarch 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: *... Read More →
Tourism Chile Update on Chile’s Tourism Infrastructure Following Saturday’s Earthquake
March 2, 2010
(As of Monday March 1, 2010 – return for updates as they become available) – Chile suffered an 8.8 quake in the early morning hours of Saturday February 27, 2010. The cities closest to the epicenter, including Concepcion, Talcahuano and Temuco as well as a number of small towns along Chile’s central coast were most affected by the quake. The five different tourism regions promoted by Turismo Chile are reporting the following updates: Desert – The north of Chile was not affected by the quake and has not reported any damage. Easter Island – Easter Island, which lies 2,300 miles off the cost of mainland Chile, a 5.5 hour flight from Santiago, was not affected by the quake. Initial tsunami warnings have been lifted and all operations are normal. Santiago and Central Region – Santiago’s airport suffered structural damage to the passenger terminal, however no damage was reported to the runways and the airport is expected to reopen later this week. Electricity and phone... Read More →
Must Read/ViewWorld Nomad’s Safety Hub Delivers Advice to Travelers in Chile
March 1, 2010
Chile earthquakes: advice for travelers Just before dawn on Saturday 27th February, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile. The epicenter was situated in the Maule region, 300km south of the capital, Santiago. So far, over 700 deaths have been recorded with fears that this will rise significantly over the coming days. The Earthquake sent waves of more than two metres crashing into the coastline as well as into outlying pacific islands, sparking Tsunami alerts as far as New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Chilean government agencies and forces are currently working around the clock to restore electricity, supply emergency medical assistance and assess what other support is required before requesting international aid. WorldNomads.com offeres travel safety and advice to help those in the affected areas stay informed. Click here for such information and for insights on how your operation/destination can help travelers stay informed in the aftermath of crises. Read More →
Media Buzz Must Read/ViewNational Geographic Channel Premieres “Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets”, Sure to Inspire
February 25, 2010
The National Geographic Channel has just premiered a new documentary, Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets, from Edge West Productions, directed by celebrated British documentarian Philip J. Day. This in-depth doc comes at a perfect time, giving an American audience an exciting view of the history and mysteries of Peru beyond Machu Picchu. Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets will certainly inspire its audience to visit Peru to see the lines in-person and to experience the county on the whole. The show premiered in the USA on Sunday, but will be re-airing a number of times over the next few weeks. 2/25, 7 PM EST 2/25, 10 PM EST 2/28, 12 PM EST 3/4, 3 PM EST * Editor’s Note: In 2005, I had the good fortune to visit the Nasca lines from the ground, and from above in the seat of a 6 passenger Cessna, and was simply mesmerized, realizing a childhood dream to visit the mysterious lines drawings on the face of the earth. It’s this very location and that very trip that inspired ATTA efforts to collaborate... Read More →
Nonprofit Planeterra Mobilizes Community Relief Efforts in Wake of Flooding in Peru
February 9, 2010
Concerned Groups and Individuals Asked to Make Online Donations to Peru Flood Relief and If Traveling to Cusco Bring Essential Items, Clothing and Food TORONTO – Over 12,000 people have been uprooted and/or severely impacted by the late January rains and flooding in Peru’s Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Planeterra has mobilized an onsite team to assess the situation and help with immediate needs of the local people. The nonprofit has established an online help site: Peru Flood Relief where the public can make charitable donations. One of the communities severely impacted by the flooding is Ccaccaccollo, home to Planeterra’s women’s weaving cooperative, a community travelers visit as part of the organization’s Project Peru voluntourism adventure. “Because indigenous communities such as Ccaccaccollo maintain a traditional way of life and are dedicated mainly to pastoral and agricultural activities, they are especially vulnerable to heavy rains and flooding,”... Read More →
Adventures Within Reach Delivers Machu Picchu Updates, Models Effective Communications
February 9, 2010
Editor’s Note: ATTA Member Adventures within Reach today delivered an effective communication to its customer mailing list, at once updating would-be travelers with a fact-based situation update along with realistic perspectives on future travel to the area…and promises of future updates. It’s an effective means of keeping travelers’ interest on destinations dealing with natural disasters. Many other ATTA Members are doing similar updates, some offering specific philanthropic initiatives to support the devastated communities there. More examples to come…” From an Adventures Within Reach email dated Feb. 9, 2010: “Due to the heavy rains and flooding in the Sacred Valley, the railway from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu has some areas of track that are washed out. We are keeping in touch with Perurail to get the latest updates on progress to repair the route. At the moment, you can be assured that everyone is working diligently to get the train “back... Read More →
Torrential Rain, Landslides Wreak Havoc, Take Lives at Machu Picchu
January 27, 2010
According to Radio Netherlands Worldwide (and corroborated by numerous news sources): Severe weather in the Peruvian Andes has claimed the lives of at least seven people. Among them are an Argentinian and a Peruvian guide. They were killed in a landslide at Machu Picchu, the site famous for its ancient Inca ruins. Torrential rain in southern Peru has caused flooding and landslides. Around 2000 tourists are stranded at Machu Picchu, because there are no trains running on the only railway line to the city of Cusco. Click here to read more and/or use Google News to source additional report. Read More →
