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Charlevoix: Host Region of the 2009 ATTA World Summit and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve

October 7, 2009

Tourisme Charlevoix LogoPampered by Mother Nature year-round, Charlevoix has as many ecotourism activities for the contemplative traveler as ones for the visitor thirsting for the great outdoors. Charlevoix boasts awesome natural landscapes where all the elements combine in perfect harmony. This is a land of water, mountains and forests, a region blessed with thick and inviting woodlands, the St. Lawrence River and numerous lakes and rivers, towering peaks and rolling hills ideal for a host of outdoor activities.

Adventure Tourism Open to All

With such an extraordinary abundance of settings in a small area, Charlevoix is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, and one that meets your everyday needs. Beginner and expert hikers find trails leading to breathtaking lookouts. Avid mountain bikers opt for well groomed trails, or head out to discover the region’s beautiful backcountry, off-trail. And for canoeing, sea kayaking, canyoning, rock climbing and cross country skiing, to name but a few, visitors find everything required for their favourite activities. In fact, Charlevoix residents are so proud of their land’s natural wonders that they’re eager to share their passion with one and all.

Regional tourist organizations offer visitors guided tours, visits and various nature interpretation activities. There’s something for everyone! Whatever you choose, Charlevoix’s stunning natural landscapes are sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Charlevoix: An Exceptional Playground for Adventure Travellers

  • A 6,000 km2 territory in the heart of the Canadian Shield, the oldest land formation on earth
  • Created by the impact of a 15 billion tonne meteorite over 350 million years ago
  • One of the rare inhabited World Biosphere Reserves on the planet
  • The pinnacle of vacation destinations for over 200 years

Nature, culture, preservation, traditions and savoir-faire all contributed in February 1989 to make Charlevoix a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Aware of the challenge vested in this title, Tourisme Charlevoix adheres to sustainable development practices for responsible tourism.

Charlevoix and the Sustainable Development Challenge

As a World Biosphere Reserve, the Charlevoix region falls under particular scrutiny in matters regarding socio-economic and tourism development.

Long before today’s interest in sustainable development, some organizations in the area – of which the Charlevoix World Biosphere Reserve, the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) and the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park – had already taken steps towards sound sustainable tourism practices. These precursors felt that heightened public awareness, education and scientific research were part of ecotourism, and each has favoured responsible actions for the conservancy of the flora and fauna. For instance, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park – unique in Canada – has elaborated rules and regulations for seagoing activities which include on-water speed limits, boat limits and distancing limits from mammals. And both the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and Grands-Jardins National Parks now rely on solar energy.

Along with several residents and businesses, both Charlevoix’s public and community bodies have pledged to develop agriculture, tourism, commerce, culture and the arts and crafts in a responsible, sustainable fashion. For example, the municipality of Baie-Saint-Paul has adopted since 2006 its own sustainable development action plan called Agenda 21. As well, certain initiatives and tourism activities, such as La Route bleue, aim to sensitize both residents and visitors alike to the particularities of the region’s ecosystem.

Contact:

François Gariépy, International Delegate
Tourisme Charlevoix
495, boulevard de Comporté
La Malbaie (QC) G5A 3G3
Canada
(418) 665-4454 ext. 230
francois.gariepy@tourisme-charlevoix.com

Written by ATN Editor · Filed Under Adventure Travel World Summit 2009 - Quebec, Member News & Profiles, Profiles: Tourism Boards, _HPFeature | 1 Comment 

Adventure Tour Operator Scholarship Winners Named by Teva and ATTA

September 24, 2009

Teva Logo(SEATTLE) SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 – Entrepreneurs representing an ecotourism wilderness lodge operated by the Moose Cree First Nation people of James Bay, Canada; an eco lodge operated by members of Ethiopia’s Eastern Cushitic, ethno-linguistic Konso culture; and a bicycle ambulance service operated by community volunteers in Malawi, topped out 141 aspiring leaders seeking financial backing to attend the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), a trade-only professional and business development conference for adventure tourism executives.

To assist deserving adventure tour operators in growing responsibly, today the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK), named the following winners of a joint, first-time scholarship program that provides financial support to early-stage adventure tourism enterprises (Project descriptions and tourism operations are available through the URLs provided.):

Providing young businesses with access to the ATTA’s global network, its membership resources and financial assistance to attend the October 2009 Summit is the intent behind the ATTA Tour Operator Scholarship Program. The program is made possible through a grant by Teva and managed by the association.

Each of the three scholarship recipients for 2009 receive:

  • complimentary membership in the ATTA for one year ($500 USD value);
  • entry to the 2009 ATWS ($895 USD value), a trade-only professional and business development conference for executives set for October 19-22 in Charlevoix, Québec, Canada; and
  • $1,000 USD travel stipend for travel to the ATWS.

“Through our scholarship program, travel outfitters are rewarded for creating forward-thinking initiatives that enhance the adventure travel experience and benefit the local region at the same time,” said Liz Ferrin, Teva Branded Content Manager. “We look forward to watching how these first-time scholarship recipients will make a difference in the communities where they operate.”

Five finalists also were considered for their good work and sustainable practices:

“Choosing winners from such an incredibly rich, innovative and diverse applicant pool was a difficult task,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “After studying many deserving applications, we’re confident that the responsible adventure tourism development projects to be led by this year’s winners and finalists are poised for success.”

Entries were reviewed by ATTA and Teva staff. Each of the 141 applicants were evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated need (start-up’s, nonprofit status – though not a requirement, located in an emerging but impoverished destination, etc.),
  • Potential for positive impact on local cultural, ecological, and/or historical resources;
  • Exemplary ecological, historical, and cultural practices;
  • Exemplary efforts to work with local and indigenous peoples;
  • Proof of the highest level of professional ethics and practices; and
  • Ability to prove how this Scholarship will be used to elevate the business to achieve a higher level of success – and how it can be utilized sustainably to build long-term and lasting success for the company and the people and places visited.

“We are buzzing with adrenaline at being selected,” said Mike Brcic, President of Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures. “As a small but growing business that is pushing the envelope on sustainable tourism, we’re excited for the opportunity to meet and learn from other tour operators, as well as share our innovative ideas with others in the global adventure travel community. And, given that we’re putting together a new trip in Quebec, the timing couldn’t be better!”

The scholarship will be used by selected incorporated tour operators to grow their business, network, develop their professional skills, and be mentored and inspired by industry peers and influencers.

About Teva

Founded in 1984, Teva began with an unassuming Grand Canyon river guide and an idea that would become the world’s very first sports sandal. The first pairs of Teva footwear were sold out of a van to friends and fellow boaters at the various put-ins along the river. From this beginning a culture of passion for adventure has defined the Teva lifestyle. Today, Teva remains committed to both the innovation in footwear suited for the adventure lifestyle and the protection of the earth’s waterways. Teva is a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK. Deckers Outdoor Corporation strives to be a premier lifestyle marketer that builds niche brands into global market leaders by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear

developed for both high performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. Teva®, Simple®Shoes, UGG® Australia, TSUBO®, and Ahnu® are registered trademarks of Deckers Outdoor Corporation.

About the Adventure Travel Trade Association

Established in 1990, the ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences (www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com), the ATTA also makes possible

Adventure.Travel, the traveler‟s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.

Written by ATN Editor · Filed Under ATTA News, ATTA Press Releases, Adventure Travel World Summit 2009 - Quebec, Events, Sponsor News, _HPFeature | Leave a Comment 

Global Rescue Sponsors Adventure Travel Trade Association, 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit

September 17, 2009

Recent Sponsor Growth Reflects Rising Sector Confidence, Expanding Global Network

(SEATTLE) – September 17, 2009 – Global Rescue, a leading provider of worldwide medical, security, evacuation and crisis response services, has become a “Major Sponsor” of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and its October 19-22, 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS).

Global Rescue is one of three Major Sponsors that have entered into long-term sponsorships of the ATTA and its annual Summit events. Recent sponsor growth, mirrored by record membership sales at the ATTA in 2009, reflects rising confidence and growth in the adventure travel sector within the leisure travel market, as well as the association’s expanding global network.

“We help make the world safer for adventure travelers and reduce the legal and operations risks for tour operators,” said Global Rescue Chief Executive Officer Dan Richards. “The ATTA’s selection of Global Rescue as their exclusive medical, security and evacuation sponsor clearly indicates how important the safety and welfare of the client is to the industry.”

Backing for the ATTA also is increasing at other sponsorship levels in strategic service categories as well, including the recent addition of AdventureLink, Inc. As a new Contributing Sponsor, AdventureLink, the world’s largest online source for booking adventure travel, supports the ATTA, plus, it joins the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit stable of significant sponsors including: Host Destination Tourisme Québec and Aventure Ecotourisme Québec; Major Sponsors ExOfficio and Men’s Journal; and Key Sponsors Alpine Tourist Commission, Archaeology Magazine, Best of the Alps, Brazil, Eddie Bauer, Tourism Promotion Corporation of Chile, Innovation Norway, and National Geographic Adventure.

Industry service organizations aligning with the ATTA are on the rise, with each providing vital support and value to a specific aspect of the adventure travel trade. In the case of Global Rescue, which airlifts climbers from the Himalayas, skiers from the Alps and the Andes, its partnerships with hundreds of tour and travel operators worldwide is a strategic service match for the ATTA as it helps adventure travel operators and travelers to be better prepared for the unexpected risks of travel.

Such service partners are attracted to the ATTA because of its proven track record of creating productive business-to-business platforms and increasingly, providing direct-to-traveler linkages with the adventure travel sector. Most Major and Key sponsor components for the ATTA and its annual ATWS events generally include financial, advertising, promotional and marketing considerations through a mixed array of digital mediums, events and cooperative agreements.

Growth in sponsorship also is evident in other ATWS sponsorship categories including an array of support for event elements including such things as carbon offsets, a Cyber Café, networking receptions, lunch and dinner events, and other program elements. Adventure Travel World Summit sponsors for 2009 ATWS include:

Supporting Sponsors:

Contributing Sponsors:

Sponsors:

Sponsors continued:

“Sponsor growth during this period conveys to me that the ATTA is on point, providing the right opportunities for our members to gain visibility and industry connections in the right places, through the right venues and at the right time,” said ATTA President Mr. Shannon Stowell. “Our expanding membership base, gained through the strategic expansion of our global network, has attracted some marquee brands that bring great value and commitment to the adventure travel community, and we’re grateful for their support.”

Event information and registration for the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit is available at http://www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com.

Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences, the ATTA also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler’s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.

Written by ATN Editor · Filed Under ATTA News, ATTA Press Releases, Adventure Travel World Summit 2009 - Quebec, _HPTabber | Leave a Comment 

Fairmont’s Le Manoir Richelieu Selected for ATTA’s October 19-22, 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit

January 8, 2009

(SEATTLE) – January 8, 2009 – With steep air discounts negotiated, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) will hold its 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Canada at Québec Province’s historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu October 19-22, an event that will serve as the global gathering point of the adventure travel community this year.

Situated between the sea and the mountains, in the scenic region of Charlevoix in the town of Malbaie, Le Manoir Richelieu will serve as the conference setting. Surrounded by the Saint Lawrence River, Le Massif and Mont Grand Fonds mountains, Le Manoir offers an excellent adventure and conference venue combined with the sophistication of a world-class resort.

“Tourism Québec and the association of professional outfitters in adventure tourism and eco-tourism (AEQ) are proud to host the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit. To receive this world-class event is a unique chance for the province of Québec to showcase our 1.6 million square kilometers of lakes, rivers and pristine land to adventure travel and trade representatives attending from all over the world,” said Pierre Gaudreult, general director of Aventure Écotourisme Québec. “We have chosen an enchanting site nestled in the heart of nature, where all guest will have the opportunity to live a unique experience that will mesmerize all senses.”

Le Manoir, named in 2007 by Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 500 Hotels in the World, is a Fairmont property, an organization which for two decades has focused on responsible tourism practices and sustainable hotel management. Affordable rates were negotiated for delegates’ stay in this historic landmark status and luxury offering (C$159 standard per night).

Additionally, to further offset costs, ATTA and partner Tourisme Québec have secured 50 percent airfare discounts for delegates and their guests with Air Canada for all flights entering Canada.

Entering its fifth year, the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) events engage, enlighten, inspire, and energize the leaders of the adventure travel community with executive-level networking, business and professional development programs, educational seminars and emerging adventure destination product review opportunities. With its ATWS events, the ATTA and its Summit delegates influence the manner in which adventure travel is introduced, executed and sustained in any given destination worldwide – encouraging the industry to adopt sustainability and best practices that give back to the people and places impacted by adventure travel.

Marketing, networking and best practices will drive the agenda for the 2009 ATWS. Summit keynote addresses and a mix of strategic and tactical interactive roundtables, workshops and forums will help adventure travel organizations turn operational, marketing, partnership and prospect opportunities into results-oriented endeavors. Select areas of emphasis for the 2009 ATWS will include:

  • Networking – business-to-business marketplace and strategic alliances
  • Marketing – trends, branding, marketing, advertising, public relations, etc.
  • Internet – SEO, social networking, email marketing, blogs, etc.
  • Sales & Conversion – customer acquisition, customer relationship management
  • Business & Operations – Cash flow management, thriving during economically challenging periods, risk management, insurance, etc.
  • Best Practices – Training, safety and standards
  • Sustainable/Responsible Tourism – Indigenous, community and volunteer-based tourism, travel philanthropy, carbon offsets, etc.

Delegates include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, lodges/resorts and transportation companies (air, auto, etc.). Adventure travel agents, attractions, and travel-oriented gear manufacturers also will participate along with media, travel, marketing and technology service organizations, academic institutions, research enterprises, tourism and recreational governmental agencies.

Summit attendance is limited to the first 600 registrants. Registration is accessible at www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com.  Fees include sessions, meetings, conference materials, receptions, entertainment and meals. “Early Bird” registration expires April 15, 2009 and is $775.00USD for ATTA Members, $995.00USD for non-members.

October 20-22 represents the core conference period, while ATTA’s Day of Adventure, which is included in the conference fee, is set for October 19. Pre-Summit exploratory adventures also will be made available to delegates and will be announced early in the spring.

Main Sponsors of the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit include Tourisme Québec, ExOfficio, W.L. Gore & Associates and Men’s Journal.

Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, travel agents/agencies, guides, lodges/resorts/attractions, media, and service providers. Host of the ATWS, the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost-saving resources to its members.

Written by ATN Editor · Filed Under ATTA News, ATTA Press Releases, Adventure Travel World Summit 2009 - Quebec, Events, _HPFeature | Comments Off