Partner News
AIA Site Preservation Grant Will Protect Underwater Maya Wooden Structures
July 30, 2010
BOSTON — The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) has announced that the only known Classic Maya wooden structures, located in Paynes Creek National Park in Belize, will benefit from a $25,000 Site Preservation Grant. The project, led by Louisiana State University Professor, Heather McKillop, will help protect the underwater wooden structures and make information available to area residents and tourists. The Classic Maya period extended from around AD 250 to 900. Generally wood and other organic materials from this period do not survive in the archaeological record; however, the waterlogged environment at Paynes Creek created unique preservation conditions, giving us a rare glimpse of how the ancient Maya used timber. Maya Archaeologist and AIA Programs Director, Ben Thomas, believes “this project will have a tremendous impact on the local population of southern Belize where many descendents of the ancient Maya still reside today and on the tourists who come to the area. It will... Read More →
Partner NewsOrbitz Worldwide Launches New AdventureFinder Site
May 19, 2010
New Site Becomes the Web’s Most Comprehensive Destination for Adventure Vacations CHICAGO — Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW) today announced the launch of AdventureFinder, a new travel Web site that provides instant access to the world’s leading adventure vacations. The site allows consumers to research, customize, and plan active escapes quickly and easily. Travelers looking to make their next vacation an adventure can choose from nearly 2,500 trips and tours around the world from top tour operators. Adventure vacation opportunities include rafting along Northern California’s Klamath River; touring historic towns in Nicaragua; experiencing a safari in the Serengeti; or taking a volunteer vacation in Bali, where you can teach English and learn how to surf. “AdventureFinder is a unique Web site that includes a combination of tools, content, and resources relevant for active travelers that can’t be found on other adventure sites,” says Eric Brodnax, General Manager of The Away... Read More →
Partner News
Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico: Balancing Adventure Travel Potential with Climate Change and Water Scarcity
May 11, 2010
New Report Highlights the Rapidly Emerging Economic Potential among the BRICMs for the Adventure Travel and Tourism Industry Santa Fe, NM — Xola Consulting has released a new report, Climate Change, Water Scarcity, Sustainability and Adventure Travel in Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico, as an extension of its 2009 Research Roundup, which was published in February 2010. Read More → Read More →
Partner News Spotlight: SustainabilityOutdoor Industry Leaders Call on Congress to Make Investing in Public Lands and Protecting Natural Resources a Priority in Climate Legislation
March 17, 2010
Seventy-five outdoor businesses, the Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Alliance and the National Parks Conservation Association have signed on to a letter calling on Congress to protect public lands from climate change impacts. The letter, which will be delivered to Congressional offices this week, is below. Healthy lands and waters help generate $730 billion in economic activity in the United States, which generates $88 billion in state and federal tax revenue. Statement by: Amy Kleiner-Roberts, Vice-president of Governmental Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association: “The active outdoor recreation industry is among the first to experience the impacts of climate change on our public lands. From declining snowpacks to droughts that cause forests to die, climate change can degrade and limit opportunities for outdoor recreation. We are asking Congress to pass climate legislation that includes funding for the restoration and adaptation of public lands. We ask that they be protected... Read More →
Partner News Trade EventsOpenTravel 2010 Advisory Forum, April 26-28
March 16, 2010
Editor’s Note: The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), in cooperation with the OpenTravel Alliance, will be hosting a meeting of ATTA’s new Distribution Working Group on Wednesday, April 28 at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time). The ATTA Distribution Working Group, which meets monthly via Web conference, is focused on identifying, discussing and resolving key obstacles to the electronic distribution of adventure and experiential travel product. All OpenTravel Advisory Forum attendees are welcome to join this discussion among ATTA members and adventure travel industry content providers. Are you looking for business or technology solutions for your distribution challenges? Are you interested in finding out more about non-proprietary interoperability and the OpenTravel Alliance? The 2010 OpenTravel North American Advisory Forum is now open for registration. Merchandising, Partnering and Product Alignment for a New Decade Hear experts speak about the what’s going on now in electronic... Read More →
Partner News Spotlight: DestinationsScotland Week (April 3-10) Steps Up Adventure Tourism Visibility Ahead of the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit
March 15, 2010
If you’ve not heard of Scotland Week, then possibly you know of Tartan Day? It’s April 6th each year – marking Scotland’s Declaration of Independence in 1307. And, since 1998, Tartan Day has been recognized by the U.S. Senate as an official celebration of the contribution of American-Scots to U.S. culture and life. Over the past 10 years we’ve seen Scotland-focused activity around Tartan Day grow into a week-long program to promote Scotland in North America. Ahead of this year’s Adventure Travel World Summit slated for October 4-7, increased promotional activity between the U.S., Scotland and the ATTA is helping to draw attention to a destination that is staking its claim to adventure tourism. Week of March 15th – Adventure Tourism Stakeholders Workshop For the week of March 15-19, the ATTA’s President Shannon Stowell is visiting the site of the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) in Aviemore, Scotland, to address a broad cross-section of tourism stakeholders... Read More →
Member Press Releases Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearIconic American Brand Eddie Bauer Celebrates 90th Anniversary
February 25, 2010
SEATTLE — Specialty retailer Eddie Bauer, The Original Outdoor Outfitter®, is turning 90. When Mr. Bauer first opened for business in 1920, his “Eddie Bauer’s Tennis Shop” was renting space in a gun shop in downtown Seattle. Within a year he had his own storefront and became renowned as an outfitter and innovator. While he built his business serving hunters and fishermen of the Pacific Northwest, he went on to become America’s premier expedition outfitter during the golden age of Himalayan mountaineering. Today, Eddie Bauer has approximately 364 stores in the United States and Canada, catalog and online businesses. The company offers premium-quality clothing, accessories and gear for men and women that complement today’s modern outdoor lifestyle. In October 2009, the company launched its First Ascent brand of guide-built gear, signaling a return to the company’s mountaineering roots as an expedition outfitter. “For the past 90 years, the... Read More →
Industry Partner News Partner News Spotlight: Sustainability2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Finalists Announced
February 8, 2010
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced the 12 finalists for the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Under WTTC’s stewardship since 2003, the prestigious Awards recognise best practice in sustainable tourism in four different categories – Destination Stewardship, Conservation, Community Benefit and Global Tourism Business. Over 160 entries were received this year from over 45 countries. The 12 finalists were selected by an international team of independent judges (ATN Editor’s note: In 2009, ATTA President Shannon Stowell was named to serve on the ‘finalist selection committee’ for the 2010 awards process - below the finalist list finalist one may view the selection committee, on-site evaluators, and winner selection committee) in each of the four award categories for having successfully demonstrated sustainable tourism practices, including the protection of natural and cultural heritage, social and economic benefits to local people, and environmentally... Read More →
Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearOutdoor Industry Association Awarded Portland Development Commission Grant for Development of Industry Eco Index
January 13, 2010
BOULDER, CO, January 13, 2010 – Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) has received a $10,000 grant from the Portland Development Commission (PDC) that will allow OIA to finalize the development of the association’s Outdoor Product Environmental Leadership Standard (OPELS) project, a family of environmental leadership standards for outdoor products scheduled to debut in August 2010. The Phase 1 Eco Index, scheduled to be released at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2010, will include guidelines for packaging, product manufacturing and materials used in outdoor products as well as tools for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste. The initial Index will be open for beta testing by global brands. The final Eco Index will be released in winter 2011. OIA has also announced plans to develop a companion tool focusing on fair labor practices and recently opened collaboration with the European Outdoor Group to ensure global adoption of the index. OIA will hold a panel discussion... 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 →
