Latin America
Still Time to Register for Tianguis Turistico
January 16, 2012
Below is some information around Tianguis Turistico, Mexico’s premiere tourism event taking place this March 25-28th, in Puerto Vallarta. Read More →
Trade Events
Mexico to Host WTTC’s First Regional Summit
December 11, 2011
Assistant Editor’s Note: Mexico recently hosted its first Adventure Travel World Summit this October. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) just announced that it will hold its first Regional Summit on 16-18 May in 2012 in Mexico. The Regional Summit will be hosted in Cancun, Quintana Roo by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. The WTTC Americas Summit will cover North, Central, South America and the Caribbean. It will be held immediately after the T20 Ministers Meeting, which will be held on 14-15 May 2012 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. In partnership with the Mexican Secretaría de Turismo (SECTUR), WTTC will invite high-level delegates from the public and private sector to debate a range of global Travel & Tourism issues in the Americas regional context. T20 Ministers, Ministers of Tourism from the region, NTOs, private and public sector companies will participate in the Summit. David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said: “Mexico is the ideal host for our first regional... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesGalapagos Expedition Cruise Company Ecoventura Achieves Rainforest Alliance Verification
December 9, 2011
MIAMI, FL – Ecoventura, the company that cossets guests sailing with its environmentally friendly fleet of small expedition vessels in the Galapagos, announces that it has earned Rainforest Alliance verification in recognition of its commitment to conserving the environment and supporting local communities. Rainforest Alliance verification is an assurance that a hotel or tour operator has met comprehensive social, environmental and economic standards that conserve natural resources, protect wildlife and help local communities thrive. Rainforest Alliance verification is aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s criteria, the gold standard for sustainable tourism. “Displaying the Rainforest Alliance VerifiedTM mark in Ecoventura messaging will help bring the urgency of sustainability issues to the consumer,” said Santiago Dunn, Ecoventura president. Dunn said his company is a natural fit because of its long-standing, mission-driven leadership in protecting the fragile... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesOcean River Sports paddles into new territory with communications hire
November 30, 2011
Victoria, BC – A passion for adventure travel and ecotourism has landed Paul Beckman the with the job of heading up communications for Ocean River Sports, a paddling company based in Victoria, BC. Taking the role of communications manager Beckman brings more than 15 years of experience working (and playing) in the adventure travel industry – including operating kayak tours for cruise lines and taking such high-profile positions as vice president for Mexico’s Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association and associate board member for Pronatura Noroeste (a regional chapter of the country’s oldest conservation organization). Beckman has been an active member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and has experience working with a number of bird conservation organizations and tour companies. “Because our on-the-water adventure business has many arms, including a retail shop, boat rentals, kayak school, tour and expedition outfitter and... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Green Expedition Cruise Company Ecoventura To Encourage Guests, Others to Contribute to Scholarship Program To Train Galapagos Students as Environmental Leaders
October 12, 2011
MIAMI, FL – Ecoventura, the company that cossets guests who opt to sail with its environmentally friendly fleet of small expedition vessels in the Galapagos, announces a 2012 scholarship program for local students from the islands of Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz to study conservation and ecology-related issues. Santiago Dunn, president, said his company has pledged up to $4,800 to cover the cost of 12 scholarships for one course/module for 2012. Guests aboard Ecoventura’s fleet will be invited to donate to the scholarship fund that is dedicated to training young people to become leaders in society and contribute to the sustainable development of the islands, a World Heritage Site. Donations can be made by going directly to the EPI web site at: https://www.ecologyproject.org/donate/. “Developing critical-thinking skills and a conservation ethic along with knowledge of the problems that threaten the sustainability of the islands are among the main objectives of the training... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesColombia: Far Beyond Cartagena – Large Minority Expands to Colombia Under ‘More Local’ Brand
September 16, 2011
Bogotá, Colombia - The LARGE minority (LM) (www.largeminority.com) team is bringing its unique brand of adventure travel to Colombia. After months of tirelessly researching the conventional “must dos”, the team could ignore them all and offer their own escapades far from the guidebook-carrying crowd. Under the name More Local (www.morelocal.co), the half-Colombian outfit has put together a choice of trips to discover the country’s Amazonian jungle, coffee region and high plain (altiplano). Their holidays come together in the Criollo Experience, a 16-day jaunt spanning the country. Groups will set off from the capital, Bogotá, and head onto the altiplano. They’ll visit the original El Dorado, now a national park, and play tejo – a beer-friendly game of throwing metal pucks at a gunpowder target. The second leg flies the intrepid travellers south for a spectacular dash around the Amazon, cycling into Brazil for a cachaça sun downer, taking canoes into Peru, spotting pink... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Singular Hotels Announces Newest Project Opening In Chilean Patagonia This Fall Landmarked Century’s Old Sheep Factory Restored To Become Luxury Adventure Hotel
September 16, 2011
Patagonia, CHILE – After nearly a century, the landmarked post-Victorian circa 1915 Bories Cold Storage Plant will breathe new life with the December debut of The Singular Patagonia, the Chilean region’s newest luxury retreat, the result of a meticulous 10-year restoration and renovation. Set on nearly 100 acres overlooking the Fjord of Last Hope along the shores of the Señoret Channel in Southern Chile, the 57-room soon to be LEED-certified Singular Patagonia, resurrected by fourth generation relatives of the plant’s founders, pays homage to the once thriving factory’s historic past while delivering all of the conveniences and comforts guests expect today. The new property will also offer guests the singular adventure of exploring a pristine verdant landscape heretofore not accessible to the public and reserved exclusively for their enjoyment. When pioneer Jose Menendez, the great, great, great, great grandfather of co-owners the Sahli-Lecaros family, descended... Read More →
Member Press Releases
2012 Cultural / Educational Adventures to Cuba To Be Offered by Award-Winning Tour Operator, Austin-Lehman Adventures
September 15, 2011
Billings, MT – Award-winning tour operator Austin-Lehman Adventures, the active travel company setting adventure vacations standards in The Americas, Europe, Africa and beyond, announces it will host cultural / educational adventures to Cuba beginning in early 2012. With license in hand from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Affairs, ALA’s programs will promote cross-cultural, people-to-people contact through licensed guided tours in Cuba in a style similar to its other culturally immersive international programs, said Dan Austin, Founder and Director. One 10-day tour itinerary with an as-of-yet undetermined number of scheduled departures will launch in early 2012. Custom / exclusive small group trips will also be offered. Additional itineraries (requiring separate approval) are on the drawing board for the future, he said. “Excitement about an ALA tour program in Cuba has been running high among staff and past trip alumni, said Austin. “There’s already a... Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
Controversial Airport Planned in Costa Rican Biodiversity Hotspot
September 15, 2011
Assistant Editor’s Note: Information and excerpts from The New York Times Green Blog by Dylan Walsh Citing jog creation and poverty reduction, the Costa Rican government has labeled a proposed airport construction project as one of ‘national importance,’ despite objections from the Natural Resources Defense Council that it will negatively impact the Térraba-Sierpe Wetland, an internationally recognized site valued near $2 billion, as well as neighborning enclave of small, high value eco-lodges, all just three miles away. Local inhabitants facing eviction are also protesting. Critics of the project point to a similar development in the Guanacaste Province which has had little economic benefit and a host of environmental issues arising post construction. Guanacaste expanded its local airport to an international terminal in 2002. Studies of the area have tied this expansion to social instability from a rapid influx of international real estate investment and an overgrown... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism to Promote New Products and Attractions in Fall Travel Conventions
September 9, 2011
Cultural Presentations and a Delegation of Travel Suppliers Will Participate NEW YORK – Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism will be promoting the country’s new tourism products and developments in its four regions – Galapagos Islands, Pacific Coast, Andes and Amazon, to U.S. and Canadian tourism professionals during the winter of 2011 as part of its ongoing campaign aimed to increase tourism to the country. Delegates from the country, including tour operators, hoteliers and destination representatives, will be on hand with representatives from the Ministry and an array of cultural performers, including dancers, singers and chefs, to present Ecuador’s varied tourism offerings during the following conferences. LA CUMBRE (Las Vegas, Sept. 7 - 9, 2011) Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism will participate in La Cumbre with an island booth and six co-exhibitors including the following tour operators: Klein Tours, Enchanted Expeditions, Latin Trails, Creter Tours and L’Alianxa Tecnoviajes.... Read More →
