Wanderlust Consulting Adds Vietnam’s Easia Travel to Portfolio
December 30, 2009
Editor’s Note: In an open letter to the adventure travel trade, ATTA Member Wanderlust Consulting introduces its newest client, Easia Travel, Ltd., based in Hanoi, Vietnam:
“Leo Le Bon, co-founder of the premier adventure travel company Mountain Travel Sobek, and President of Wanderlust Consulting, is honored and pleased to introduce to the North America travel industry, EASIA TRAVEL, Ltd, a leading Indochina inbound DMC with 10 years experience, with headquarters in Hanoi, and offices in Laos and Cambodia. (Philippe Richard, co-founder of Easia Travel, attended the Summit in Quebec in October 2009).
Wanderlust Consulting will be supporting Easia Travel marketing and sales in North America. We have had extensive first hand travel experience with Easia Travel, and know well their management team, so we feel that we can highly recommend their outstanding professional services, transacted on a business-to-business basis only. We believe that Easia can deliver superior service at very competitive prices, offering NET confidental tariffs to the industry.
While we are aware that you may already operate programs in Indochina, we would kindly ask for a moment of your time to review Easia’s website and the presentation below:
http://www.vietnam-incentive.com/downloads/PPS_HTML/vietnam_files/frame.htm
(This link can only be opened with Windows Explorer. It does not work with Mozilla Firefox or Google.)
You will find that Easia has a variety of options for unique cultural and soft adventure programs to complement currently available offerings on the open market. Easia currently manages over 10,000 inbound passengers from European tour operators and now has made the decision to enter the US market.
Please feel free to contact them direct at america@easia-travel.com, or give us a call and we will be able to assist you with any question or request for a quote for specific itineraries.
Leo and Nadia Le Bon
Wanderlust Consulting
Berkeley, CA – 510-524-2609
nadialebon@wanderlustconsulting.com
New Study Sparks Adaptation Strategies for Adventure Tourism Companies Coping with Climate Change
December 30, 2009
Newly published research — Adventure Tourism Companies & Climate Change: Observations from the Himalaya, Amazon, and Polar Regions Spark Adaptation Strategies for Business — is available now in PDF format (Download now, 2.9mb: click here) and offers management and business practices for sustaining adventure travel businesses in sensitive environments affected by climate change. With international media buzzing on the topic, as a result of the UN Climate Change Conference 2009 (COP15) in Copenhagen, this report provides valuable research and actionable solutions for some of the first to be affected by climate change: adventure traveler operators.
The following preface to the study is offered by Editor and Adjunct Research Supervisor, Christina Heyniger, of Xola Consulting, who remains committed to observing and following trends and changes in the adventure industry and will continue to publish on this subject in the coming years:
In contrast to leisure tourism, where more emphasis may be placed on man-made settings, adventure tourism’s business model is thoroughly exposed to the slightest environmental changes.
Adventure tour operators, with products and services that depend on healthy natural environments, have a regular and direct connection to important environmental issues such as climate change.
Given that the broader tourism industry has mainly focused on adaptation strategies for two major travel sectors so far — coastal island and ski tourism – we felt it was worthwhile to examine the smaller players in remote environments.
Anticipated Benefit/Outcome of this Research: This research offers management and business practices for sustaining adventure travel businesses in sensitive environments affected by climate change.
We believe that while adventure tour operators may respond to climate impacts in varying ways depending on their location of their operations, they can apply similar business practices to cope with its effects. We hope that by sharing this research, adventure companies will continue learning from each others’ experiences.
A case study approach was used to examine operators in three different regions: polar, mountain and tropical forest.
Three companies agreed to participate in this study:
■ Snow Leopard Adventures; Uttarkhand, India
■ Quark Expeditions; Arctic and Antarctic
■ Amazon Tree Climbing; Manaus, Brazil
Findings:
The overall trend that we observe is that climate change has not yet had a significant effect on the polar or tropical region adventure tour operators interviewed, but has affected tour operations in India’s Himalaya mountain region slightly more. All of the companies interviewed are implementing operational and management focus towards climate change adaptation.
Study Contributors: This paper was developed by Cambridge University student Ryan Piotrowski in collaboration with Christina Heyniger of Xola Consulting – who served as the study’s Editor and Adjunct Research Supervisor – from June – September 2009. Special thanks is given to Parth Joshi from Snow Leopard Adventures, Ltd, New Delhi, Bill Davis, Francesco Contini and Prisca Campbell of Quark Expeditions and Eduardo Cunha of Amazon Tree Climbing for so generously sharing their time, experiences, and field observations.
Executive Summary
With their close relationship to the environment, adventure tourism companies feel and react to climate impacts to different degrees depending on location, but can follow similar business practices to cope with its effects. Common strategic, operational and marketing practices can be used to reduce business threats and take advantage of business opportunities as a result of climate change. As climate change effects become more prevalent and pronounced, companies need to proactively engage in adaptation, moving beyond a corporate responsibility mindset to the application of strategies to manage its business impacts. In reviewing the various adaptation methods currently applied, a general adaptive framework emerges for making climate change part of business and operational strategy.
Data gathered in interviews with three adventure tour companies in different environments — polar, mountain, and tropical forest — reveal ideas for specific climate adaptation techniques and strategic guidance for other adventure tour companies and the tourism industry in general. The interviewed companies’ practices indicate that some adaptation methods for increased extreme weather events have always been practiced, while the long-term impacts of climate change have not significantly affected operations and strategy.
The graphic below summarizes the climate effect companies highlighted in this paper can expect to experience over time. The companies participating in this study are a polar cruise company that operates in the Arctic and Antarctic, a Himalayan- based adventure company, and a tree climbing operator in the Amazon. A brief review of climate change in the interviewed companies’ specific regions is provided along with a discussion of each region’s general climate conditions.
Surprisingly, we observe that climate change has not yet caused significant changes in business for the polar or tropical region tour operators interviewed, but has affected tour operations in the Himalayan mountain region of Uttarakhand, India. Regardless, all of the companies interviewed are beginning preparation to adapt through education and training, while slight itinerary changes have been a response to any existing climate impacts. Subtle differences between the companies are highlighted to provide insight towards future adaptation techniques.
Our research indicates that while adventure tour operators may not be adapting as rapidly as we expected to climate change, opportunities and threats from climate change need to be understood and managed as soon as possible. Strategy, operations and marketing highlight some initial areas for discussion around climate change adaptation. In order to adapt to climate change an Adventure Tourism Climate Change Adaptation model is recommended for the adventure travel industry based on existing models, interview findings. Adventure travel companies must proactively and dynamically engage in strategic adaptation to climate change in order to sustain their business.
Cambodia—Paving the Way with More than Asphalt: Archaeological Institute of America Awards Site Preservation Grant to Heritage Watch
December 22, 2009
The Archaeological Institute of America awarded a Site Preservation Grant to Heritage Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage, for a project in Cambodia. Heritage Watch will be working with Global Heritage Fund, which began a major development and conservation program at the archaeological site of Banteay Chhmar in 2008. The 12th century temple complex is overrun by jungle growth and plagued by looters. With new road improvements, the site is expected to become a major tourist attraction for those traveling from Thailand to Cambodia’s major archaeological attraction, Angkor Wat, located 165 kilometers to the southeast. Global Heritage Fund and Heritage Watch’s programs aim to ready the site for the increasing tourist numbers while helping members of the local community to support themselves through economic development initiatives that protect the site, rather than destroy it. Heritage Watch will use the award for community tourism development, guide training, and stewardship programs.
The Heritage Watch program is a response to economic development in the area. In an effort to reach the more inaccessible parts of the country, the Asian Development Bank is funding extensive road improvement in remote areas of northeast Cambodia, near the border with Thailand. While this will open up many economic opportunities for the region it endangers local archaeological sites that have seen little tourist activity. In many cases, the expansion of the tourism industry in developing nations does not address the needs of local residents, who see little profit from archaeological sites and thus do not feel compelled to maintain them. Locals sometimes turn to looting sites to support themselves and often there is little concern when site preservation programs instituted from afar fail. As a result, sites are destroyed forever, tourist numbers dwindle, and area residents still lack any means of long-term support.
Heritage Watch’s program at Banteay Chhmar is intended to ensure that the benefits of tourism development are filtered back into the local community and distributed appropriately amongst the resident stakeholders by implementing specialized training in English and guiding tours. Heritage Watch will have outreach programs open to the entire local community to increase awareness of the value of the site both as a part of their heritage and as a source of revenue in order to secure the long term protection of Banteay Chhmar.
About AIA Site Preservation Program and Grants
The AIA Site Preservation Program emphasizes outreach, education and the spread of best practices in site preservation. The Institute also supports preservation projects in Turkey, Easter Island, and Cyprus. In addition to grants, the program includes advocacy to stop the destruction of archaeological sites, informs U.S. Troop of cultural materials they may encounter while deployed, presents outreach activities for children, maintains online resources for the public and professionals, hosts workshops, and gives awards for best practices. All aspects of the program, including the awarding of grants, are made possible through donations to the AIA. To learn more, please visit archaeological.org/sitepreservation.
About Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)
Founded in 1879, The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) is North America’s oldest and largest archaeological organization. Today, the AIA has nearly 200,000 members belonging to 107 local societies in the United States, Canada and overseas. The organization promotes public interest in the cultures and civilizations of the past, supports archaeological research, fosters the sound professional practice of archaeology, and advocates for the preservation of the world’s archaeological heritage. The organization hosts archaeological fairs, lectures and other events throughout North America; publishes Archaeology magazine and the American Journal of Archaeology; awards fellowships and honors; and leads global archaeological travel excursions.
First 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 several of the world’s most celebrated mountain guides and has introduced breakthrough video and audio production techniques to make the extreme challenge of climbing Mt. Everest accessible in ways never before possible. The unprecedented, virtually live coverage of the dramatic climb to the top, including the First Ascent blog with daily posts from the climbers, has created an avid online following.
As Viesturs and Whittaker return to Base Camp, the other team members are moving up for their own summit push. Led by another renowned First Ascent guide, Dave Hahn, the second team includes Seth Waterfall, Melissa Arnot and a client. Dave Hahn has more Everest summits than any other non-Sherpa. If successful, this campaign will mark his eleventh summit.
With Whittaker and Viestur’s triumph, Eddie Bauer returns to its roots. In addition to outfitting the 1963 American Mt. Everest Expedition, Eddie Bauer outfitted many other historical first ascents in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. For the past 18 months, Eddie Bauer has been working with their First Ascent guide team in developing the new First Ascent mountaineering gear. The “Return to Everest” expedition marks the expeditionary launch of the new line.
“This is a milestone for us,” Eddie Bauer President and CEO Neil Fiske says. “It puts us literally back on top of the world. We outfitted some of America’s most famous expeditions. And now with First Ascent and this team of climbers, we’re bridging our past with our future.”
Positioned as “guide built gear,” First Ascent takes a new approach to designing and developing gear. Fiske, along with Peter Whittaker, assembled a “dream team” of world-class mountain guides to lead every step of the development process. “Our goal was simple,” said Whittaker, “build the best gear in the world.” Every component of every First Ascent piece was signed-off on by the First Ascent guide team. Because in their words, “We live in the mountains. Our clothes are our life support.”
Five of the six First Ascent guides are participating in the Return to Everest climb. Those five include:
Ed Viesturs The only American to summit all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen, Ed is recognized the world over as a mountaineering legend. This is his seventh Everest summit.
Peter Whittaker Co-owner of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI), the largest guide service in the U.S., Peter has been a professional mountain guide for 25 years. This is his third Everest expedition and his first summit. Peter has said that part of his motivation on this 2009 climb was to restore some balance to the bragging rights at Whittaker family reunions. By mid-June, more than 50 RMI guides around the world (and many of their clients) will be outfitted in First Ascent gear.
Dave Hahn Acknowledged as America’s leading Himalayan guide, Dave has summited Everest more times (10) than any non-Sherpa in history. This year, he’s guiding a client, and many of his blog posts from the mountain outline the strategies for successfully climbing in the Himalaya.
Melissa Arnot This is Melissa’s second Everest expedition. In 2008, she reached the top as part of EVEREST TEAM INSPI(RED) to help raise awareness for the organization (RED) and its work for people in Africa suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Seth Waterfall While this is his first trip to the Himalaya, Seth has guided on Rainier, Kilimanjaro and Denali; and he has multiple first ski descents to his credit. He’ll be assisting Dave in guiding their client up the mountain.
The continuing drama is unfolding daily on the Born Out There blog: blog.firstascent.com. Groundbreaking video, still photography and written personal accounts by the climbers create a stunning, enthralling experience.
Eddie Bauer’s mountaineering history:
To learn more, visit blog.firstascent.com.
For interview requests and more information, contact:
Anita Woo (425) 755-8832
anita.woo@eddiebauer.com
Melanie Dennig (212) 889-1700
melanie@turnerpr.com
About Eddie Bauer
Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells casual sportswear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle, as well as expedition-class mountaineering gear. 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 365 stores throughout the United States and Canada, through catalog sales and online at eddiebauer.com.
Asia 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, authentic experiences and comfort with value.”
She says with demand down it’s now possible to book last-minute travel to Asia and secure amazing accommodations that formerly were booked solid months in advance. “With our connections we are pulling off some amazing hat tricks for our travelers these days,” says Downing Staff. “If you want to stay in a maharajah’s palace next week we can make it happen.”
About Asia Transpacific Journeys
Asia Transpacific Journeys is a Boulder, Colorado-based Asia travel company and Asia tour operator specializing in Custom Journeys and Small Group Trips to Asia and the Pacific region since 1987. Outstanding service, long-standing connections in Asia and deeply insightful cultural interpretation make them the Asia travel company of choice for the American Museum of Natural History, The Harvard and Yale alumni associations, the World Wildlife Fund, as well as discerning individuals, their families and friends. Journey Beyond the Ordinary ™ http://www.AsiaTranspacific.com
PEPY Tours’ Bio-diesel Truck Promotes Environmentally Responsible Travel
February 10, 2009
(Feb. 10, 2009) PEPY Tours, an adventure and volunteer tour operator based in Cambodia, recently purchased a bio-diesel powered truck to support its operations and help promote responsible travel. PEPY Tours offers adventures that incorporate learning opportunities, volunteer activities, and interaction with people who are part of long-term development programs in Cambodia. The truck, powered by clean burning bio-diesel produced from recycled cooking oil, is used to transport guests, baggage and supplies during trips, and promotes environmentally-conscious modes of transport.
PEPY Tours buys the fuel from Planet Bio-diesel, a Phnom Penh based company that converts used cooking oil collected from local restaurants into fuel that can power any diesel engine. Unlike some bio-fuels, which require agricultural commodities to produce, this process essentially turns a waste product into a valuable resource. This type of bio-diesel is considered to be more environmentally friendly than that produced from petroleum, used by most diesel-burning vehicles. The truck is part of PEPY’s organizational mission to minimize resource consumption and promote greener ways of living. PEPY trips often utilize self-powered forms of transportation like cycling and walking, but the bio-diesel truck helps reduce transportation costs and pollution when a large vehicle is necessary. PEPY Founder Daniela Papi says, “Having a bio-diesel truck allows us to further reduce the negative environmental impact of our tours and helps support a growing alternative energy movement springing up here in Cambodia.”
PEPY offers unique trips ranging from high intensity multi-week bike trips to weeklong volunteer projects. The trips encourage participants to make responsible choices while traveling, as well as in their daily lives at home. Each trip is designed to give participants an introduction to development work in Cambodia through hands on experience and learning opportunities. All profits generated by PEPY Tours are allocated to its partner The PEPY Ride, a non-profit organization supporting long-term educational development in Cambodia.
PEPY Tours and the PEPY Ride were formed in December 2005, beginning a tradition of bringing participants from around the world to Cambodia to actively participate in adventure volunteer tours and live the PEPY motto: “Adventurous Living. Responsible Giving.” To date, PEPY has raised over $750,000 for development projects in Cambodia.
To learn more about PEPY Tours, please visit: www.pepytours.com
The PEPY Ride is a New York State registered Non-for-Profit Corporation founded in 2005 to aid rural communities in improving their own standards of living, with a focus on increased access to quality education in rural Cambodia. To learn more, please visit www.pepyride.org/index.php
PEPY Tours to Build Secondary School in Cambodia, Seeks Assistance
December 31, 2008
PEPY Tours, an adventure and educational tour operator, announces plans to fund the construction of a junior high school in Cambodia. PEPY will allocate proceeds from its 2009 trips to help build the first-ever secondary school in Chanleas Dai Commune, a rural area of Siem Reap Province. Through fundraising and donations, participants who join one of PEPY’s tours in 2009 will support the construction of the school as well as PEPY’s other educational programs.With seven primary schools in the commune and no permanent junior high building, secondary education is simply not viable for hundreds of students. For most, migration to Thailand or farm work are more reasonable options than biking two hours a day to the closest junior high school. The primary school graduation rate has been steadily increasing over the past few years in Chanleas Dai, but for many motivated students, 6th grade is the end of formal education, as they simply do not have the resources to continue.
PEPY has worked with the community to build two temporary open-air classrooms built of wood and thatched palm, but the basic structure is too small to house all of the students and will not last through the upcoming rainy season. After meeting with school district officials, teachers, and community members to discuss secondary school options, PEPY committed to funding the new five-room school building. The school is scheduled to open in late 2009 and will house more than 150 students in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.
On December 22, 2008, local contractors and community members broke ground on the new school building, which will cost nearly $70,000 to complete. PEPY tour participants will co-fund the project and some will volunteer alongside community members and contractors to help construct the new building. PEPY is seeking other partners for financial support to ensure the school is finished in time for the beginning of the school year in October 2009.
ATTA Member PEPY Tours offers unique trips ranging from high intensity multi-week bike trips to weeklong volunteer projects. Each trip is designed to give participants an introduction to development work in Cambodia through hands on experience, and allows participants to “live what they give,” by volunteering with the organizations that their financial contributions support.
The PEPY Ride’s co-founder, Daniela Papi says, “Many people donate in support of development projects they will never visit, but with PEPY, you can go where your money goes. By joining one of our trips, you see firsthand the difference you are making.”
The PEPY Ride was formed in December 2005, beginning a tradition of bringing participants from around the world to Cambodia to actively participate in adventure volunteer tours and live the PEPY motto: “Adventurous Living. Responsible Giving.” To date, PEPY has raised over $700,000 for development projects in Cambodia.
For more information, to make a donation, or to sign up for any of the upcoming
trips, please visit http://www.pepyride.org.
The PEPY Ride is a registered non-profit organization in both Cambodia and the USA 501(c)3# 20-4739485
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Xola Consulting Proposes Sustainable Adventure Tourism Concepts for Western Mongolia to Benefit Mongolia Tourism Industry and Its Local Communities
November 12, 2008
(SANTA FE): Xola Consulting has completed an adventure tourism development proposal for Mongolia’s Western aimags (akin to provinces or states) in support of the Mongolian tourism industry’s efforts to develop adventure travel products for the region. The comprehensive plan specifies five destinations with the greatest adventure tourism potential and offers recommendations to Mongolian tourism industry stakeholders (government, private sector, etc.) to develop and promotie these packages to U.S. and European travelers. The report also identifies opportunities for further tourism planning and training initiatives to facilitate development of tourism in the region.
For the past decade, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has helped strengthen Mongolia’s tourism policies and laws, and broaden market awareness of tourism opportunities in Mongolia. The targeting of the five Western aimags for tourism development aims to help address national objectives for improving rural livelihoods and economies, and protecting precious natural and cultural landscapes.
The Mongolian tourism industry recognizes that the character of the Western aimags – a remote, culturally rich, and environmentally vibrant region – makes the country an attractive destination for adventure travelers. Developed in a sustainable manner and with the participation of the local communities, adventure tourism can positively benefit the livelihoods and economy of the people in Western Mongolia.
In July and August 2008, Xola Consulting working under the auspices of the USAID funded Economic Policy Reform and Competitiveness project (EPRC) collaborated with EPRC and the Mongolia National Tourism Organization (MNTO) to identify five Adventure Tourism Hotspot destinations: Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Khar Nuur, Eej Khairkhan Uul, Tsenkheriin Agui, and Khyargus Nuur. These Hotspots were selected for their compelling mix of natural, cultural, and adventure sporting resources. Additionally, these Hotspots were found to have adequate levels of infrastructure and community support for tourism development.
The EPRC sponsored team led by Xola proposed detailed adventure tourism itineraries and marketing themes for each area along with specific strategies for promoting the product to identified target audiences. Each itinerary was designed with flexibility in mind to allow for product customization by individual tour operators within each destination. The team also recommended that Western Mongolia implement an over-arching branding and positioning strategy to help the region separate itself from its competitors and highlight its distinctive characteristics.
The adventure tourism proposal and its recommendations will be incorporated into the Mid-term Strategy for Tourism Development 2007-2011 developed by key Mongolian tourism industry stakeholders.
More details concerning Mongolia can be found at the Ministry of Road, Transport and Tourism, Mongolia and at the Mongolia Tourism Association.
For more details about the about the project and methodology used, please visit www.xolaconsulting.com. For more information about the Hot Spots, please visit www.travelofftheradar.com
Xola Consulting, Inc. provides consulting services to individual adventure tour company operators and tourism boards interested in adventure tourism development for the benefit of rural communities and the environment. Xola also specializes in supporting organizations seeking to blend adventure tourism and volunteer service. Xola consultants have in-depth experience in emerging markets around the world including Central and South America, North Africa and Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), India and Nepal.
In 2005, Xola launched Off the Radar to bring passionate, independent travelers reliable information about entrepreneurial adventure companies around the world – those who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel; and who believe in incorporating the local people and traditions of the places where they operate.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paige Stringer
Xola Consulting
Paigestringer@xolaconsulting.com
206-618-4201
CC Africa Brings Its “Doing Well by Doing Good” Philosophy to India
July 3, 2008
New York – July 2008: In keeping with Conservation Corporation Africa’s and Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces‘ shared social and conservation principles, Taj Safaris’ lodges have now adopted the CC Africa ethos of “Doing Well by Doing Good” in India.
Mahua Kothi, adjacent to Bandhavgarh National Park, recently held their first Conservation Lesson, involving three naturalists, 15 community school children and a teacher, who gathered at the lodge for an interpretive jungle game-drive experience. The focus was on teaching the children why conserving the jungle is important for future generations. The children spent the entire day learning about animals, plants, insects and birds and saw chital, wild boar, peafowl, monkeys and a tiger.
“This Conservation Lesson was a great start and the first of many more to come. The children had a wonderful time and are looking forward to their next drive,” said Karan Modi, naturalist at Mahua Kothi. “Tomorrow’s natural resources stand a better chance of survival if today’s children learn how to conserve the precious wilderness areas closest to them.”
Baghvan, adjacent to Pench National Park, launched their first community project by creating and distributing special backpacks for the local children. The backpacks are being sold to guests at the lodge’s Safari Shop for $10 each. The backpacks are then distributed to neighboring community schools. To date, 70 satchels have been sold at Baghvan and 53 at Mahua Kothi, and distributed to community schools in need.
“We thought that the school backpacks were a great idea for guests wishing to make a small contribution, and hope that this will be the start of many more empowering community projects in the months to come,” said Emmanuelle Moneger, Operations Manager for Taj Safaris.
CC Africa believes in ongoing investment in sustainable conservation development and community empowerment. The company’s core ethic of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People has easily translated to Taj Safaris’ lodges in India, where many more innovative and empowering community projects will follow.
About CC Africa and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces: As the leading African safari operator, CC Africa has 45 exceptional lodges, Tented Camps and Walking Safaris in Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness locations. With over 30 years of tailor-making safaris in Africa, CC Africa’s portfolio spans South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 56 hotels in 39 locations across India, with an additional 17 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Seychelles, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East.
For more information, please visit www.tajsafaris.com.
Nepal’s Tourism Promotion takes off as Nepal becomes a New Republic
June 16, 2008
Minneapolis, MN (June 2008) – As Nepal begins one of the most important political changes in its recent history, the Nepal Tourism Board is visiting key tourism markets to encourage travelers to come visit this new republic. After the successful completion of the Constituent Assembly Election in April 2008 followed by the announcement of Republic in May, a fresh mandate was put forth from the people for peace and stability in the country.
Coming on the heels of monumental changes in the country, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a National Tourism Organization driven by Nepal’s private sector tourism industry is hitting the road on a promotional blitz of the Himalayan nation. In USA, the team will promote travel to Nepal among US media, travel agents and tour operators in Los Angeles (June 20), San Francisco (June 23), Denver (June 24), Washington DC (June 26) and New York (June 27). The team comprising of eight Nepalese private tourism companies led by NTB will be looking to capitalize on the popularity of Nepal as the premier adventure destination. The mission is being supported and assisted by the Embassy of Nepal
NTB, under its brand campaign “Naturally Nepal – Once Is Not Enough” has been focusing on the US market with various once-in-a-life time adventure packages. The drive of the new tourism brand is to reinvent Nepal’s diversity, uniqueness and cultural heritage while keeping a strong focus on sustainability and environmental tourism efforts. Nepal’s new tourism branding is all about sharing the sense of Nepal’s warm hospitality, friendly culture, and deep history. Themes that will be featured in the new brand campaign will be extreme and soft-adventure activities, Nepal’s colorful culture, meditation; festivals and much more.
The year 2007 has shown substantial growth of 27.1% in the number of tourists visiting Nepal as compared to 2006. In 2007, tourist arrivals from USA increased by 45.5% compared to 2006. The 1st quarter of 2008 has also registered a 32 % growth of US tourist arrivals. Nepal has good air connectivity to US via Pacific and Atlantic through a number of airlines like Silk Air/Singapore Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Dragon Air, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Jet Airways, Indian Airlines etc.
If you are a travel agent, tour operator or a member of the media, and you wish to attend one of our events, please contact NepalTourismBoard@hotmail.com or call us at 952-914-6701. For more information on Travel to Nepal please visit: www.welcomenepal.com.
Event Details: Click on city of choice name to register
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Los Angeles 8:30 – 10:30am |
San Francisco |
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Denver, CO |
Washington, DC |
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New York, NY |
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For More Information Please Contact:
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Nepal Tourism Board Tourist Service Center, PO Box 11018, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone: +977 1 4256909 Fax: +977 1 4256910 Email: info@ntb.org.np www.welcomenepal.com
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Permanent Mission of Nepal to UN 820 Second Avenue, 17th B, New York, N.Y.10017, USA Tel : 00212-3703 988/989
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Embassy of Nepal 2131 Leroy Place, NW, Washington DC, 20008 USA. Tel : 001-202-667-4550/51/52 Fax : 001-202-667-5534 E-mail: info@nepalembassyusa.org Web: www.nepalembassyusa.org
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NTB Event Management Company in U.S. (for this event) Custom Destination Marketing Solutions 6442 City West Parkway, Tel: 952.914.6701 Fax: 952.914.6946 | email: mfernandez@carlson.com | |
Naturally Nepal !
Nepal, a world renowned tourist destination located between India and China, has an astonishing diversity of tourist attractions in spite of its small geographical area. From the highest snow-capped mountain in the world to the thickest jungles in South Asia (where tigers and rhinos roam freely), from rich bio-diversity to exotic cultures, from spiritualism and meditation to the business of its centuries old market places, Nepal never ceases to amaze all those who visits and kindle new interest amongst the tourists to find new vistas in Nepal.
The Kathmandu Valley presents a microcosm of Nepal’s rich cultural past and abounds in breathtaking architectural wealth with 7 UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites within a radius of 20 kilometers. These are: Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath and Changunarayan. The picturesque town of Pokhara is the scenic gateway to adventures in the Annapurna Mountains. Chitwan, another tourism hotspot is a wildlife safari experience to rival the best available elsewhere in the world but, closer home in Asia! Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha is a must visit destination of every Buddhist.
Adventure and Eco-tourism has deep roots in Nepal. While trekking, mountaineering, rafting, bungee jumping and big game watching have long been popular, an entire range of other exiting possibilities have been introduced and popularized in recent years. Mountain Biking, Fishing, Rock Climbing, Ultra Light Aircraft, Boating, Pony Treks, Canoeing - the list is endless.
The Nepal’s Himalayas are crowned with eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains including the jewel in the crown, Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha), as it is popularly known, standing tallest at 8,848m, the highest point on earth. Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Daman, Palpa, Ilam some of the hill stations, offers a good vantage point for viewing the mountains including the Mt. Everest on a sunny and clear day. A one-hour Mountain flight from Kathmandu also offers spectacular views of the Himalayan Range. Festivals are an integral part of Nepalese life that draws out tremendous local participation. Festivals also offer visitors a valuable opportunity not only of having fun but also gaining deeper insight into various aspects of Nepalese life and culture.
Recently, Nepal successfully celebrated the First International Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) Day to commemorate the first ascent of the mighty peak by Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Late Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. Similarly, just over a month ago, Nepal also celebrated the 2552nd birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, Nepal’s most famous son of soil with elaborate fanfare.
Cuisine is another attraction of Nepal. Dal Bhat Tarkari Achar or Rice, Lentil Soup Green Vegetables and Pickle cooked with exotic Himalayan Spices are the staple diet of the Nepalese. However, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and other tourist areas offer an incredible selection of international food too.
Whether one is on vacation, business, leisure or adventure, Nepal is for everyone.
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