Asia
Singapore and South Korea partner to increase tourism traffic
June 11, 2010
Via GOVMONITOR South Korea and Singapore have initiated a partnership to increase inbound and outbound tourism between them. A delegation of tourism interests from both countries say they will continue to work in tandem to promote increased traffic as well as facilitate cooperation between travel agencies, ground operators and attractions in each destination, as well the development of new tours. Read more on GOVMONITOR… addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventuretravelnews.com%2Fsingapore-and-south-korea-partner-to-increase-tourism-traffic'; addthis_title = 'Singapore+and+South+Korea+partner+to+increase+tourism+traffic'; addthis_pub = 'atta'; Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
UIAA announces plans to reduce environmental impact
June 5, 2010
On the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5), the UIAA is highlighting its commitment by announcing plans for a Mountain Protection label. The UIAA wants to make it easier for mountaineers to minimize their impact on the environment. For this reason the international federation plans to launch a certification scheme. It foresees a label being awarded to tour operators and mountain recreation organizations which commit themselves to acting according to high mountain protection standards. As the basis for certification, the UIAA intends to use the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) guidelines “Mountains and Tourism A Practical Guide to Managing the Environmental and Social Impacts of Mountain Tours” and the accompanying Check List. “Because they harbor so much of the world’s biodiversity, mountain regions are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of tourism, climate change, and global warming,” says Linda McMillan, UIAA Mountain Protection Commission president... Read More →
ATTA Member Profiles
Raven Tours and Treks
May 18, 2010
Looking for an awesome and breath-taking experience? Bhutan is the answer. There couldn’t be a better place to make the most of your trip than Bhutan – the land in which “Gross National Happiness”, is to strike a chord of balance between spiritualism and materialism. Bhutan is a home away from home, amid virgin nature, spectacular fortresses, chanting monks and fluttering prayer flags. If you haven’t had a purpose in life, visits to the numerous holy places would certainly calm your mind and make you aware of your inner thoughts and emotions. Inner peace and contentment is what you would experience. The kingdom of Bhutan welcomes you with its open arms of fluttering colourful prayer flags. Travel with us to make your memories worth remembering and cherishing. At Raven Tours and Treks we understand that people visiting Bhutan might have many goals: to see the festivals, to trek the high Himalayan countryside, to see, experience and learn its unique cultures and traditions,... Read More →
UNWTO Secretary-General Calls for Continued Regional Cooperation along the Silk Road
May 4, 2010
Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Meeting with the President of Tajikistan, H.E: Emomali Rahmon, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, underlined the importance of regional cooperation in the growth and development of national economies. Referring to the UNWTO Silk Road Project, a long-term initiative to harness the tourism potential of the ancient Silk Road, Mr. Rifai called for the continued collaboration of all participating countries. The meeting was held in the framework of the Secretary-General’s first official visit to Tajikistan (3-6 May 2010), a UNWTO member state since 2007. “Regional cooperation is key to harnessing the tourism potential of Central Asia. The Silk Road is a concept that requires cooperation beyond individual borders and is an excellent example of such cooperation”, said the UNWTO Secretary-General. “Tajikistan is an important stop along the Silk Road and is working with other countries to convert this resource into an integrated tourism product.” The official... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesWanderlust 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... Read More →
Partner News Spotlight: SustainabilityNew 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... Read More →
Industry Partner NewsCambodia—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... 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 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 →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: SustainabilityPEPY 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... Read More →
