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Save the Serengeti: ATTA Update
August 25, 2010
In June, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) signed and advocated an urgent petition on behalf of Save the Serengeti, an alliance of independent organizations concerned about the detrimental effect a proposed highway in Tanzania will have on the Serengeti National Park and its wildlife inhabitants. This update to the information of the original ATTA article provides the results of an economic impact study run by the group, including a survey of international tour companies. The study clearly demonstrates how the highway would also have negative and likely permanent consequences on Tanzanian tourism industry, which plays a key role in the country’s economy. Also included here is a letter of support for Save the Serengeti’s cause from the African Travel and Tourism Association, which is an Association Partner of ATTA. Download the Economic Impact Statement overview [PDF] Download the Economic Impact Statement full report [PDF] Click to view Letter of Support - full size Read More →
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Save the Serengeti: An ATTA Call to Action
June 25, 2010
~ A major highway, an international airport, power struggles, development, and human welfare issues – critical challenges now threaten the very fabric and survival of the Serengeti National Park as we know it. Never before in its history has the world’s greatest wildlife heritage faced such an uncertain future. ~ Source: SaveTheSerengeti.org On June 21, 2010, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) signed an urgent petition initiated by Save the Serengeti, a coalition of organizations that share a concern over the future of the Serengeti National Park. “Our sacred responsibility to the young and unborn generations of mankind is to jealously protect Mother Earth and all life on it.” Maasai elder Photo: Courtesy Boyd Norton. “This threat to the Serengeti, a major commercial highway across the Serengeti National Park, is of great concern to us and many of our members,” said Shannon Stowell, ATTA President. “We’re hoping for an alternative plan that can still serve... Read More →
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UIAA Responds to Everest Age Restrictions
June 18, 2010
The UIAA welcomes China’s decision to ban people under 18 years of age from climbing Mount Everest. Mt Everest From Base Camp One, Courtesy Rupert Taylor-Price According to press reports and climbing and trekking agencies in Nepal, the decision was taken on June 10 by the Lhasa-based Chinese Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) – a branch of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, which is a UIAA Member. The move was welcomed by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). “While concerned about the restrictions on the freedom for exploration and human endeavour, the UIAA Access Commission applauds the actions of the CTMA and the NMA to protect minors by placing a lower age restriction on summiting Everest,” said commission president Clare Bond. UIAA President, Mike Mortimer, also greeted the Chinese decision, saying young mountaineers lacked not only climbing “experience”, but also maturity. However, Mortimer is critical of the maximum age of 60 set by the CTMA. “The... Read More →
Must Read/ViewSenator Chris Dodd Backs Peru’s Claim to Artifacts Taken by Yale University
June 15, 2010
According to WNPR’s Diane Orson’ June 7th report featured at www.yourpublicmedia.org and since picked up by the Associated Press, “Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd was in Latin America last week, speaking with leaders in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru about US relations and the global economic crisis. “In an interview published online Sunday on the website Peru.com, Dodd told the Peruvian newspaper “Correo” that he will help Peru in its fight against Yale University over a collection of antiquities taken from the Incan site of Machu Picchu nearly a century ago.” (Editor’s Note: ATTA Member Inkaterra and its Chairman & CEO, Jose Koechlin, was just interviewed for Connecticut’s WNPR story, which was subsequently carried as an Associated Press syndicated article. Meanwhile, Jose has appealed to the ATTA and members to back the call for Yale to reverse its decision to retain Peruvian artifacts as described in the story. Since the first alert by Jose... Read More →
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NY Times Reports: To Help Jaguars Survive, Ease Their Commute
May 12, 2010
On Wednesday, The New York Times reports on jaguars in South America. “In the past few years, such corridors have been created in Africa, Asia and the Americas to help animals cope with 21st-century threats, from encroaching highways and malls to climate change.” Read full story on NYTimes.com. Read More →
Must Read/ViewWorld Nomad’s Safety Hub Delivers Advice to Travelers in Chile
March 1, 2010
Chile earthquakes: advice for travelers Just before dawn on Saturday 27th February, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile. The epicenter was situated in the Maule region, 300km south of the capital, Santiago. So far, over 700 deaths have been recorded with fears that this will rise significantly over the coming days. The Earthquake sent waves of more than two metres crashing into the coastline as well as into outlying pacific islands, sparking Tsunami alerts as far as New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Chilean government agencies and forces are currently working around the clock to restore electricity, supply emergency medical assistance and assess what other support is required before requesting international aid. WorldNomads.com offeres travel safety and advice to help those in the affected areas stay informed. Click here for such information and for insights on how your operation/destination can help travelers stay informed in the aftermath of crises. Read More →
Must Read/ViewAccording to CNN: “Bill for U.S. travel promotion organization headed to president’s desk”
February 26, 2010
(CNN) — A bill that will create a tourism promotion organization for the United States received its final passage in the Senate on Thursday. Read full story. Read More →
Media Buzz Must Read/ViewNational Geographic Channel Premieres “Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets”, Sure to Inspire
February 25, 2010
The National Geographic Channel has just premiered a new documentary, Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets, from Edge West Productions, directed by celebrated British documentarian Philip J. Day. This in-depth doc comes at a perfect time, giving an American audience an exciting view of the history and mysteries of Peru beyond Machu Picchu. Nasca Lines: Buried Secrets will certainly inspire its audience to visit Peru to see the lines in-person and to experience the county on the whole. The show premiered in the USA on Sunday, but will be re-airing a number of times over the next few weeks. 2/25, 7 PM EST 2/25, 10 PM EST 2/28, 12 PM EST 3/4, 3 PM EST * Editor’s Note: In 2005, I had the good fortune to visit the Nasca lines from the ground, and from above in the seat of a 6 passenger Cessna, and was simply mesmerized, realizing a childhood dream to visit the mysterious lines drawings on the face of the earth. It’s this very location and that very trip that inspired ATTA efforts to collaborate... Read More →
Must Read/ViewAdventure Tourism Development Index 2009 Report
February 16, 2010
A joint initiative of The George Washington University, the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Xola Consulting, the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI) ranks 192 countries based for their adventure travel competitiveness. The 2009 ATDI Report, in three parts, is available below at no charge. The methodology relies on hard data and expert surveys to asses countries in 10 pillars: Sustainable Development Health Safety Security Cultural Resources Natural Resources Adventure Activity Resources Infrastructure Entrepreneurship Image The top three developing countries this year were the Slovak Republic, Israel and the Czech Republic. The top three developed countries were Iceland, Switzerland and New Zealand. Download full report: Click here. Download the pillar scores for developing countries: Click here. Download the pillar scores for developed countries: Click here. Survey and other research data gathered to generate the ATDI rankings can be customized for a fee. Xola Consulting... Read More →
Must Read/View10 Crucial Consumer Trends for 2010, from Mass Mingling to Maturialism
January 20, 2010
Editor’s Note: The following consumer trends for 2010 are directly sourced from trendwatching.com, an independent and opinionated trend firm, scanning the globe for the most promising consumer trends, insights and related hands-on business ideas. One of my favorite trend-watching Web sites, it relies on trend-forward “Spotters” around the world who report to the creators of the site, which is the brainchild of Reinier Evers…it’s different, it’s fresh, it’s fun, and draws upon a worldwide network of analysts and spotters from its London and Amsterdam offices. Each of their newsletters offers some compelling perspective that gives pause for new thought… Forget the recession: the societal changes that will dominate 2010 were set in motion way before we temporarily stared into the abyss. More » Urban culture is the culture. Extreme urbanization, in 2010, 2011, 2012 and far beyond will lead to more sophisticated and demanding consumers around... Read More →
