Spotlight: Sustainability
MICATO SAFARIS HONORED WITH TOP AWARD AT CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S 4rd ANNUAL WORLD SAVERS AWARDS
September 8, 2010
Recognized as Winner of Education Initiatives Award and Winner, “Doing it All” September 7, 2010 NEW YORK, NY – Micato Safaris, known for providing the utmost in luxury travel to Africa and India was honored for the philanthropic endeavors of its non-profit, AmericaShare in the September 2010 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Awards were given in five categories: Preservation, Environmental and/or Cultural; Wildlife Conservation; Health Initiatives; Poverty Relief; and Education Programs. Micato received the highest overall score across the five categories combined, making the Company winner among tour operators for “Doing it All”. Micato was also recognized as the winner of the Education Initiatives category for the introduction of its groundbreaking One for One program. The initiative, which was introduced in January 2010, pledges to place one child in school for every safari sold. Dennis Pinto, Managing Director of Micato Safaris, will accept the award at the 4th... Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: SustainabilityNew Fall Harvard Extension School Course Explores Sustainable Tourism
September 2, 2010
CAMBRIDGE, MA — Tourism is considered by the United Nations as one of the largest industries in the world, but its diverse, global footprint can threaten ecosystems and local cultures worldwide. Recognizing the need for formal training in the area of sustainable tourism, the Harvard Extension School this fall offers the new course, Environmental Management of International Tourism Development—both online and on campus—as part of its Graduate Program in Sustainability and Environmental Management. Taught by sustainable tourism expert Megan Epler Wood, the course lays out specific methodologies for managing tourism sustainably worldwide. Lectures and readings on the global tourism industry’s business and supply chain models preface an in-depth review of how mainstream tourism companies can more effectively take on the challenge of environmental management worldwide. Explains Ms. Wood, “Industries around the world are making environmental management an integral part of their... Read More →
Member Press Releases Spotlight: Sustainability
Small Ship Expedition Cruise Company Ecoventura Raises $12,000 to Help the World Wildlife Fund Combat Illegal Fishing in the Galapagos
July 28, 2010
Give Back to the Galapagos Promotion Ends in Success New Discount Incentives Offered on Select Cruise Dates MIAMI – The visionary, small-ship travel company Ecoventura announced that a recent promotion has raised $12,000 to help fund, among other things, a satellite vessel monitoring system to combat illegal commercial fishing operating clandestinely in protected Galapagos waters. The promotion which ended this week offered guests a 5 percent discount plus the satisfaction of knowing that another 5 percent from the cruise company’s pocket went to the Galapagos Marine Biodiversity Fund administered by the World Wildlife Fund. “Our clients always want to know how they can help our efforts to create a positive level of sustainability for this fragile eco-system called the Galapagos,” said Santiago Dunn, president and owner of Ecoventura. “This was a way they for them to benefit twice: once by receiving a rate reduction and once by giving something back to the islands.” Ecoventura... Read More →
Spotlight: SustainabilityInnovation Award: Best Practice Examples in Sustainable Tourism Innovation Wanted
July 13, 2010
The International Ecotourism Society’s New Award Recognizes Innovation Leaders Uniting Conservation, Communities and Sustainable Travel WASHINGTON – The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), as part of a series of initiatives commemorating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the world’s oldest and largest association dedicated to promoting ecotourism, has launched the annual Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism Awards to recognize and honor accomplishments by sustainable tourism leaders and pioneers. The Innovation Award has been created by TIES to recognize those individuals and organizations who demonstrate leadership in innovative actions that effectively promote sustainable tourism and bring tangible benefits to communities and conservation. The Award winners – one individual and one organization – will be honored for their best practices and innovative actions, judged based on one example of an innovative project, product, or program developed in the previous... Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
Invasive algae threatens Patagonia biodiversity and tourism
June 11, 2010
The Didymo algae is often mistaken for toilet paper or other waste. (photo by Sebastián Alvarez, of Expediciones Chile) An invasive algae species previously found in parts of New Zealand and North America has been discovered in Futaleufu River, in Chile’s Patagonia Region. Didymosphenia, which looks like paper waste or toilet paper in the water, can have deleriotous effects on the local ecosystem if left untreated because it kills bottom-dwelling insects in the water that fish feed on to survive. The species was likely tracked into the region on affected outdoors gear from other parts of the world, and threatens Patagonia’s tourism community, as well as other ecosystems and industries, such as hydropower. Chris Spelius, owner of the adventure travel company Expediciones Chile, says “Patagonia has a world-wide reputation for fly fishing. The potential damage is awful.” Bill Horvath, a chemist who has been studying the appearance of Didymosphenia in the river, urges that the... Read More →
Spotlight: SustainabilityBrazilian Adventure Tourism Association Matures, Contributes to Growth in Segment, Advances Professionalism in Sustainability & Safety
June 10, 2010
ABETA aspires to bring together nature and adventure tourism companies, accomplish qualification, and establish new jobs and foreign capital. ABETA (Brazilian Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Trade Association), which has grown to 282 members in 24 Brazilian states and 19 regional commissions and has established itself as one of the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) most active Association Partners, continues to advance efforts to strengthen the potential of Brazil for adventure activities. What started in July 2003 as simply an idea spread through the Internet to bring together businesses with similar interests in adventure tourism, now represents a dynamic network of entrepreneurs who are focused on the segment growth in the Brazil, as well as sustainable tourism and safety/security initiatives. Today, ABETA has earned representation countrywide, with regional commissions located in the Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, Ceará,... Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
UIAA announces plans to reduce environmental impact
June 5, 2010
On the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5), the UIAA is highlighting its commitment by announcing plans for a Mountain Protection label. The UIAA wants to make it easier for mountaineers to minimize their impact on the environment. For this reason the international federation plans to launch a certification scheme. It foresees a label being awarded to tour operators and mountain recreation organizations which commit themselves to acting according to high mountain protection standards. As the basis for certification, the UIAA intends to use the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) guidelines “Mountains and Tourism A Practical Guide to Managing the Environmental and Social Impacts of Mountain Tours” and the accompanying Check List. “Because they harbor so much of the world’s biodiversity, mountain regions are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of tourism, climate change, and global warming,” says Linda McMillan, UIAA Mountain Protection Commission president... Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
World Travel & Tourism Council Calls for International Organizations to Take More Proactive Sustainability Measures in The Growth of Global Tourism
June 1, 2010
Travel & Tourism Demands 21st Century Thinking for Future Sustainability London, UK — The voice of the world’s 100 foremost Travel & Tourism leaders, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling for governments and organisations such as the United Nations, European Commission, G8 and G20, to re-examine the way policies that affect global Travel& Tourism are co-ordinated and implemented. “Yet again the importance of Travel & Tourism, and the influence it has on nearly every facet of our lives, has gone unappreciated by governments,” says Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of (WTTC). “At least until a crisis occurs, as the past week has demonstrated. This crisis has been handled with the mentality of the early 20th century, without recognising the needs of 21st century travel.” Governments should be working together, with all sectors of the industry, to identify ahead of time measures to ensure the sustainable... Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
SEE Turtles Generates $100,000 for Conservation
May 21, 2010
SEE Turtles, a conservation tourism project, has surpassed the milestone of $100,000 generated for sea turtle protection efforts and local communities. The goal of the project is to benefit sea turtle conservation efforts through ecotourism and volunteer projects, as well as raising funds to protect important habitat. To celebrate this milestone, SEE Turtles will be giving away a free spot on a turtle ecotour to Costa Rica or Baja. Read More → Read More →
Spotlight: SustainabilityZegrahm Expeditions & Seacology Collaborate on Polynesia Voyages with Cultural Depth
May 6, 2010
SEATTLE, Wash. — Like-minded Zegrahm Expeditions and Seacology have created a unique cultural cruise in Polynesia for 2010 with an itinerary that visits ecologically threatened Tuvalu. In addition to visiting the remote islands of Tuvalu, expedition highlights include the cultural and natural riches of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Fiji. Zegrahm first joined forces with Seacology, a non-profit environmental organization devoted to preserving island biodiversity and traditional communities, in 2009 to offer travelers rare insider access to the opening of a new cultural center in Cook’s Bay on Moorea Island. During Zegrahm’s 2010 voyage, Bridging the Equator: Micronesia & Polynesia, travelers have the chance to visit Seacology’s community project on Nanumea Atoll in Tuvalu. This project is devoted to planting mangroves along the unprotected coastline that is threatened with incoming tides due to the rising sea level. Zegrahm cruise itineraries are designed to include islands... Read More →
