Intrepid continues to lead the way in innovative travel with the launch of ‘The Travel Lab’
June 3, 2008
(MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA) — Leading adventure tour operator, Intrepid Travel, has launched an exciting new research and development division, The Travel Lab, consolidating its innovative thinking via a dedicated team of travel experts to offer consumers mind-blowingly unusual travel experiences.Intrepid has always been one to push the boundaries and this latest foray into research and development is no different. From idea generation through to product design and launch, The Travel Lab’s core mandate is to create experiences that are unique, truly innovative and not currently available to consumers.
The Travel Lab concept was born out of a number of motivations. In 2007, Intrepid conducted an online poll with resulting data confirming that the top two answers to the question, ‘What does value mean to you when making travel decisions?’ were ‘unforgettable experiences’ and ‘visiting places you can’t get to on your own’.
This feedback, along with a desire to set itself, helped drive the decision to formally invest in research and development to ensure Intrepid continues to produce exceptional product that guarantees its travellers unforgettable and far-ranging experiences.
Based at Intrepid’s head office in Melbourne, The Travel Lab leverages the knowledge and input from the global Intrepid team and its strong base of operator businesses, and currently comprises three full time staff members who have extensive product and marketing experience in the adventure travel industry.
“Formalizing Intrepid’s R&D function to create The Travel Lab seemed a natural progression but the concept took time to refine, so we are delighted to now be launching to the Australian market. The Travel Lab sees Intrepid embarking upon a new and exciting chapter in the company’s evolution and the team looks forward to delivering travellers an array of unique and inventive experiences,” says Damian Perry, General Manager Emerging Business.
After conducting online surveys, traveler polls, workshops with industry leaders and analysing trend reports, The Travel Lab has released its first product range – an incredible selection of life-changing Polar adventures.
The Travel Lab will continue to release exciting new products on an ongoing basis over the coming months – promising to have keen travelers digging out passports and planning their next big adventures!
For more information please visit The Travel Lab at: http://www.thetravellab.com
Adventure Tourism Development Concepts Presented in the Philippines
May 29, 2008
Conference supports Philippines Department of Tourism campaign to position country as emerging Asian adventure destination
(SANTA FE, NM) – May 29, 2008 – Christina Heyniger, Adventure Travel Trade Association Associate (ATTA) and President of Xola Consulting Inc., will join ATTA Advisory Board member Russell Walters from Northern Outdoors and as a keynote presenter at Adventure Philippines: a Seminar of Adventure Tourism on June 3-5, 2008.
Heyniger and Walters will present on June 3 the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), a new industry standard for the development of sustainable adventure tourism. Subject matter addresses two important subjects relative to sustainable and responsible development in adventure tourism worldwide: Adventure Tourism as a Vehicle for Development, and Adventure Tourism: Best Practices. In the former, insights will be shared regarding the ground-breaking Adventure Tourism Development Index launching this year by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, The George Washington University and Xola Consulting. The ATDI is designed to encourage and shape tourism development policies for the benefit of local people and the environment by providing a structured method that can be readily applied in emerging markets.
Heyniger, Russell and the ATTA were selected to present innovative initiatives relevant to supporting the Philippines Department of Tourism’s (DOT) nationwide campaign to promote the country’s adventure and ecotourism destinations and activities. Recognizing that adventure and experiential travel is one of the strongest growth segments in the travel industry today, the Adventure Philippines Campaign hopes to capitalize on this emerging market. Adventure Philippines: A Seminar of Adventure Tourism, is one component of the country’s effort to position itself as a leading adventure destination in Asia.
“Sharing responsible tourism development ideas that can enhance tourism throughout the entire supply chain in the Philippines is the core message – one appropriate for any emerging tourism destination,” said Heyniger. “Introducing conference participants to innovative approaches, like those contained within the Adventure Tourism Development Index, can support the Philippines as they create their own plans to encourage tourism in a manner that preserves any given destination’s unique environment and rich local cultures.”
For more information on the Conference visit: http://www.clarksubicmarketing.com/special_events/clark_adventure_philippines.htm
For more information on the Adventure Travel Trade Association visit:
http://www.adventuretravel.biz/
For more information on the ATDI visit www.xolaconsulting.com/atdi.php or http://www.gwutourism.org/iits/ATDI.htm
Xola Consulting, Inc. (www.xolaconsulting.com) 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.
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Boundless Journeys Named in “Tours of a Lifetime” List
May 9, 2008
Palau is 3rd Boundless Journeys Trip Awarded “Tours of a Lifetime” Status by National Geographic Traveler
STOWE, Vt-Palau: Oceania Odyssey, a sea kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking adventure vacation developed by tour operator Boundless Journeys (www.boundessjourneys.com), has been named to National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 2008 “Tours of a Lifetime” list. The magazine’s third annual list finds Boundless Journeys’ Palau in the company of some of the most authentic, high-quality, and sustainably run travel experiences in the world.Palau: Oceania Odyssey offers an in-depth exploration of one of the world’s finest marine ecosystems. The islands’ position at the confluence of three major ocean currents results in some of the most diverse reef systems found anywhere. Deluxe private camps on pristine beaches allow guests to be close to nature in comfort and style. The area is also an important site for WWII archeology, and local guides reveal artifacts along the islands’ trails, amid hidden waterfalls and lakes – including the unusual “Jellyfish Lake,” where clients can snorkel with thousands of stingless jellyfish.
The 10-day Palau: Oceania Odyssey trip is priced at $3995 per person, and is available for September 27-October 6, 2008. Dates for 2009 are February 23-March 4, March 21 – 30, June 29-July 8, and September 21-30.
Palau is the third Boundless Journeys adventure to be named a “Tour of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler magazine in the past year. In 2007, two Boundless Journeys adventures made the list: Bhutan: A Journey in the Peaceful Kingdom, and Spain: Vintage Rioja.
About Boundless Journeys
With a diverse collection of high quality, small group, locally guided itineraries around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The trips for up to 16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking in remote regions – with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between. For more information, please call 1-800-941-8010 or visit www.BoundlessJourneys.com.
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ATTA Membership Starts Strong in 2008
March 11, 2008
While growing ATTA membership is important for the entire adventure travel community, much of the trade organization’s strength is drawn from returning members. Among the ATTA’s 30 returning members (since the December report), you’ll find some of the industry’s most respected organizations, along with a diverse group of tour operators, tourism boards, and industry providers who are helping to shape the future of adventure travel.
If you’re not already a member, connect immediately with the ATTA’s growing network by visiting http://www.adventuretravel.biz/membership.asp.
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