Oceania
Flood Damage Hits Australia’s Tourism Industry; Queensland Overwhelmed with Responses After Call for Voluntourists
January 19, 2011
The Flooding in Brisbane, Queensland. Photo: Robert Hoge. The Wall Street Journal has posted an article about how the recent floods in Australia’s Queensland region have interrupted local tourism and are likely to add to declining national levels of tourism for the country: Over the past month, rainfall that has blanketed an area roughly the size of Germany and France combined has deterred travelers from Queensland over the Christmas and New Year holidays, hotel managers say. The Queensland Tourism Industry Council estimated the floods could cost the local industry about $100 million… The floods come at a tough time for the industry, which is struggling to cope with a 20% surge in the Australian dollar in the last six months that has kept foreign visitors from booking trips to the country. Meanwhile, Volunteering Qld.’s Community Response to Extreme Weather (CREW) program put out a call for voluntourists to visit the region and help mitigate damage by floods, and... Read More →
Member Press Releases OceaniaGap Adventures Australia / NZ donates 5% of all bookings towards Queensland Flood Relief
January 17, 2011
Melbourne, Australia — Gap Adventures, the world’s adventure travel leader, has announced that it will actively contribute to the Queensland flood relief effort by donating 5% of all bookings made in Australia and NZ from Monday 17 to Sunday 23rd January. For those bookings made within the next week, money will be donated directly to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal. “We have all seen the tragic images on television and, as I’m sure all Australians do, we have friends, family and industry colleagues that have been caught up in the flood disaster in Queensland,” says Pete Rawley, Head Honcho of Gap Adventures Australia and New Zealand. “We are committed to doing the right thing, and we believe that is to donate a portion of bookings made this week to the flood relief effort and help in some small way to support cleaning up and rebuilding efforts in the region.” Gap Adventures also encourage people to donate directly to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster... Read More →
OceaniaCaribbean Tourism Organization and Africa Travel Association Sign Partnership Agreement
November 9, 2010
NEW YORK, New York – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the premier source of Caribbean tourism statistics, research and news, and the Africa Travel Association (ATA), the leading travel industry trade association promoting tourism to Africa, have signed a partnership agreement that will support both organizations’ endeavors to promote tourism to their respective regions. In the Memorandum of Understanding, the two regions have also pledged to help each other increase business opportunities and develop sustainable tourism. “The CTO and the ATA share many common tourism interests and challenges, including the British Air Passenger Duty and this partnership agreement paves the way for us to support each other’s ideals,” said Hugh Riley, the CTO’s secretary general. Under the new partnership agreement, CTO and ATA will share reciprocal membership, offer discounted services and products, and consider a joint tourism research project. The two associations will... Read More →
ATTA Member Profiles Oceania
Tahiti Expeditions
October 15, 2010
The Place French Polynesia covers a swath of the South Pacific that is as large as Europe. In all there are 130 islands that are grouped into five archipelagos, each of which has its own fascinating physical and cultural attributes. The Marquesas are closest to the equator, but chilled by cool currents. Without protection from coral reefs their coastlines are carved into dramatic cliffs and bays. The archaeological sites here are magnificent and the people are proud of their traditions. The Society Islands are the heart of French Polynesia with the big island of Tahiti, Moorea the most beautiful island in the world, the luxurious Bora Bora, and the sacred island of Raiatea. The combination of high islands with quiet lagoons makes for an amazing array of habitats to explore. The people here are warm and humorous and welcoming, and happy to share their culture with visitors. The Australs are an amazing group of small islands with strong cultural traditions and are rarely visited by tourists.... Read More →
Member Press Releases Oceania Travel & Outdoor Gear
ZORB® Launches new product – the ZURF
July 15, 2010
Rotorua, NZ – ZORB Limited, the New Zealand adventure tourism operator that provides the ZORB experience in New Zealand and overseas, has launched its latest product – the ZURF. After a number of years of fine-tuning the design, ZORB is happy to announce the launch of its latest product, the ZURF – cousin of the ever-popular ZORB globe. The ZURF is a 3m x 3m inflatable cylinder with two open ends. Participants climb inside the 1.8m interior and roll the ZURF around. The ZURF can safely hold three adults or four-to-five children. Designed using similar technology and manufacturing processes to that of its cousin – the ZORB globe – the ZURF is a durable, quality, NZ-made product. Its design enables a wide-range of uses. The ZURF is a versatile amusement device available to the public for use as a fun activity on flat ground, or sheltered bodies of water. It is not designed for rolling down hills. Event companies, resorts, pool complexes, and private party hosts – all... Read More →
Member Press Releases OceaniaZegrahm Expeditions’ First-Ever “Circumnavigation of Sumatra” Voyage Kicks Off 2011 Cruise Line Up
May 11, 2010
SEATTLE, Wash. — Zegrahm Expeditions will extend its tradition of offering exclusive journeys and unique “circumnavigation” voyages in 2011, when it operates a “Circumnavigation of Sumatra,” in January aboard the Clipper Odyssey. Sumatra, located in Western Indonesia, is the 6th largest island in the world, and contains a rich diversity of natural and cultural highlights – ideal for Zegrahm’s small-ship, expedition cruising concept. The maneuverability, comfort, and Zodiac capability of the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey, makes the ship well-suited for a robust exploration of Sumatra. The 18-day itinerary departs January 3, 2011; the Clipper Odyssey will sail in a counter-clockwise direction around the island, making numerous landings for visits to remote villages, historic sites, and national parks. The voyage begins and ends in Singapore – an interesting destination itself, and convenient for international flights. This is a first-ever itinerary for Zegrahm, which has... Read More →
Member Press Releases OceaniaIntrepid continues to lead the way in innovative travel with the launch of ‘The Travel Lab’
June 3, 2008
(MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA) — Leading adventure tour operator, Intrepid Travel, has launched an exciting new research and development division, The Travel Lab, consolidating its innovative thinking via a dedicated team of travel experts to offer consumers mind-blowingly unusual travel experiences.Intrepid has always been one to push the boundaries and this latest foray into research and development is no different. From idea generation through to product design and launch, The Travel Lab’s core mandate is to create experiences that are unique, truly innovative and not currently available to consumers. The Travel Lab concept was born out of a number of motivations. In 2007, Intrepid conducted an online poll with resulting data confirming that the top two answers to the question, ‘What does value mean to you when making travel decisions?’ were ‘unforgettable experiences’ and ‘visiting places you can’t get to on your own’. This feedback, along with a desire... Read More →
Member Press Releases Oceania Partner News Spotlight: SustainabilityAdventure Tourism Development Concepts Presented in the Philippines
May 29, 2008
Conference supports Philippines Department of Tourism campaign to position country as emerging Asian adventure destination (SANTA FE, NM) – May 29, 2008 – Christina Heyniger, Adventure Travel Trade Association Associate (ATTA) and President of Xola Consulting Inc., will join ATTA Advisory Board member Russell Walters from Northern Outdoors and as a keynote presenter at Adventure Philippines: a Seminar of Adventure Tourism on June 3-5, 2008. Heyniger and Walters will present on June 3 the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), a new industry standard for the development of sustainable adventure tourism. Subject matter addresses two important subjects relative to sustainable and responsible development in adventure tourism worldwide: Adventure Tourism as a Vehicle for Development, and Adventure Tourism: Best Practices. In the former, insights will be shared regarding the ground-breaking Adventure Tourism Development Index launching this year by the Adventure Travel Trade... Read More →
Member Press Releases OceaniaBoundless Journeys Named in “Tours of a Lifetime” List
May 9, 2008
Palau is 3rd Boundless Journeys Trip Awarded “Tours of a Lifetime” Status by National Geographic Traveler STOWE, Vt-Palau: Oceania Odyssey, a sea kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking adventure vacation developed by tour operator Boundless Journeys (www.boundessjourneys.com), has been named to National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 2008 “Tours of a Lifetime” list. The magazine’s third annual list finds Boundless Journeys’ Palau in the company of some of the most authentic, high-quality, and sustainably run travel experiences in the world.Palau: Oceania Odyssey offers an in-depth exploration of one of the world’s finest marine ecosystems. The islands’ position at the confluence of three major ocean currents results in some of the most diverse reef systems found anywhere. Deluxe private camps on pristine beaches allow guests to be close to nature in comfort and style. The area is also an important site for WWII archeology, and local guides... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases By the Numbers OceaniaATTA Membership Starts Strong in 2008
March 11, 2008
While growing ATTA membership is important for the entire adventure travel community, much of the trade organization’s strength is drawn from returning members. Among the ATTA’s 30 returning members (since the December report), you’ll find some of the industry’s most respected organizations, along with a diverse group of tour operators, tourism boards, and industry providers who are helping to shape the future of adventure travel. If you’re not already a member, connect immediately with the ATTA’s growing network by visiting http://www.adventuretravel.biz/membership.asp. Read More →
