http://www.adventuretravelnews.com Adventure Travel Industry News Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:28:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Seattle, WA.— Responding to its diverse and growing base of nearly 800 businesses and tourism organization members representing 82 countries – up from approximately 100 members and a dozen countries in 2005, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) today unveiled the first-phase of a multi-year regionalization strategy designed to better address the destination-specific needs, challenges [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/adventure-travel-trade-association-unveils-regionalization-strategy-promotes-internal-veterans-to-new-posts Seattle, WA—The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) announces its regional meeting schedule for 2012; in order to further enhance its member services, the ATTA built much of the 2012 schedule for its North American Regional Meetings next to each other, stringing five Regional events together in a 14-day period. This will allow any ATTA member [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/adventure-travel-trade-association-releases-1h-2012-north-america-regional-meeting-schedule Editor’s Note: The following white paper on International Luxury Travel Market’s 1st Annual Bright Young Things workshop in December 2011 is excerpted with permission from author & panel moderator Michaela S. Guzy, VP/Global Travel and Strategic Development at American Express Publishing, a longtime research contributor to the ATTA as well as a speaker at several [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/bright-young-things-a-whitepaper-based-on-the-workshop-at-international-luxury-travel-market-2011 Brussels – The European Travel Commission (ETC) has just published its fourth quarterly report on European Tourism in 2011 – Trends & Prospects. The following gives a brief overview of the report for the fourth quarter of 2011. The full report can be downloaded from ETC’s corporate website under the link below. • Travel to [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/european-tourism-in-2011-trends-prospects-q42011 Explore increased demand for adventure travel experiences amongst young professionals Adventure travel specialist, Explore, has launched a new brand that caters for the 18-30 somethings adventure travel market. Labelled edge, its 75 small-group trips offer flexible itineraries in over 40 countries. With over 30 years’ experience in running small group adventures around the world, Explore [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/explore-launches-new-18-to-30s-adventure-travel-brand-edge   For five years, Conde Nast Traveler has honored the travel companies that are doing the most to save the world, from fighting climate change to saving wildlife and alleviating poverty.     We are now accepting applications for this year’s World Savers Awards. All travel companies, from tour operators to hotel chains, city hotels, [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/enter-the-2012-conde-nast-traveler-world-savers-awards-now Established in 1999, PolarQuest specialises in small ship expedition cruises to the Polar Regions. We take you to some of the most remote and exciting destinations on the planet. Our expeditions are for ordinary people who want to experience close encounters with polar bears in Svalbard or hike on an Antarctic beach among hundreds of [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/polarquest-expedition-ab Gunnison, CO. – Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink, an all-natural altitude + energy aid and performance sport drink, announces a partnership with Sports America Accessories effective immediately. Sports Accessories America has been a snowsports distributor for 30 years and will be working with Acli-Mate to provide retail support. Sports Accessories America will be at the Snow [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/acli-mate-natural-sport-drinks-partners-with-sports-accessories-america ATTA President Shannon Stowell presented to the College of Business at Montana State University (MSU) as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, being involved in multiple aspects of the program for several days. Stowell’s November 30th presentation to the students focused on an introduction of global adventure travel and its pivotal role in international economies and how it can [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/sident-shannon-stowell-speaks-as-entrepreneur-in-residence-to-montana-state-university-business-students London, UK  – The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, one of the world’s most renowned and prestigious awards, has revealed its 2012 Finalists.  We are delighted to announce that Cheli & Peacock has been named as one of three finalists in the Conservation category. The winners will be announced at Tourism for Tomorrow’s award ceremony being [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/cheli-peacock-named-as-a-tourism-for-tomorrow-finalist Stockholm – The Ecotourism Society of Sweden has been awarded the 2011 WWF Carl Mannerfelt Prize for its work with sustainable tourism and the Nature’s Best quality mark. The prize is around USD 15,000. This is not the first time the Society’s groundbreaking work with quality marking has been acknowledged – it has previously won [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/natures-best-the-ecotourism-society-of-sweden-is-awarded-the-2011-wwf-carl-mannerfelt-prize ATTA Vice President of Business Development, Chris Chesak, represented ATTA at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market last week, meeting with various outdoor brands to help facilitate partnerships between them and our extensive network of global destinations. Chesak was interviewed for a full page article (at right) in the OR daily publication.]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atta-chris-chesak-interviewed-at-the-outdoor-retailer London, UNITED KINGDOM – In an effort to help maintain minimum certification standards for tourism businesses, VisitEngland, Visit Wales and Northern Ireland Tourist Board have endorsed, through an independent review by the International Centre of Responsible Tourism, Sustainable Travel International’s Sustainable Tourism Education Program (STEP) as a recognised certification programme. Developed by Sustainable Travel International [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/visitengland-validates-sustainable-travel-international%e2%80%99s-step-eco-certification-program Assistant Editor’s Note: We asked Erika Harms, the Executive Director of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, to answer a few questions for us – those answers are below, above the recent GSTC press release. What role do you see the ATTA and its members should / might want to play in support for the GSTC? [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/leading-travel-companies-commit-to-sustainable-tourism-through-the-global-sustainable-tourism-criteria The high calibre of this year’s applicants illustrates some of the very best in sustainable tourism. Hopefuls ranged from planning and management projects, to those featuring innovative engagement with local community, and business making a difference. The Tourism for Tomorrow Award categories are Global Tourism Business, Conservation, Community Benefit and Destination Stewardship. For those that [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/the-finalists-for-the-tourism-for-tomorrow-awards-2012 Outside Magazine’s annual Best Places to Work feature had eight ATTA members on it in 2011: #1 – Natural Habitat Adventures #16 – MercuryCSC #21 – Geographic Expeditions #29 – Osprey Packs #34 – KEEN #35 – Intrepid Travel #45 – Deckers (Teva) #48 – Eddie Bauer  Voting for 2012 closes on February 24th, so [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/eight-atta-members-on-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-survey Adventure travel leader launches new online booking platform G Adventures, the world’s adventure travel leader, announces an enhancement to its online reservation platform Sherpa, allowing North American travel agents to package international airfares with adventure tours online for the first time. “We wanted to kick start the New Year for our agency partners by making [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/travel-agents-can-now-book-flights-online-with-g-adventures New York, NY – Absolute Travel, the premiere luxury travel company specializing in privately guided trips throughout Asia, Africa, South America and the South Pacific, is proud to announce that they were chosen to be the recipient of the prestigious Luxury Travel Advisor “Award of Excellence.” “We are thrilled to be named a Luxury Travel [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/absolute-travel-wins-luxury-travel-advisor-%e2%80%9c2012-award-of-excellence%e2%80%9d-best-local-destination-management-company Overseas visitors to Ireland increased by 7% in 2011 – the first increase in four years, while domestic demand volumes held up well despite a downturn in consumer confidence. Arrivals from mainland Europe are expected to be up by 10%, with arrivals from North America showing an 8% increase and arrivals from Britain up by [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/2011-%e2%80%93-a-year-of-positive-change-for-ireland%e2%80%99s-tourism-industry African Bush Camps is proud to announce the start of a new initiative called ‘Safari Logistics’. Through the services of ‘Safari Logistics’ visitors from all corners of the world will now have convenient and cost effective access to Zimbabwe’s renowned and popular safari areas. Under ‘Safari Logistics’, African Bush Camps will begin its operation of [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/african-bush-camps-introduces-safari-logistics-program Omar Samra, founder and CEO of Wild Guanabana,  the Middle East’s first carbon neutral travel company, moved one step closer to a life-long “7 Summits” dream as he battled through temperatures of -40C to reach the peak of Antarctica’s highest mountain, the 4,892m high Vinson Massif at 18h45 Antarctica Local Time on Thursday, 5th January [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/uae-based-adventurer-now-six-mountains-closer-to-world%e2%80%99s-first-carbon-neutral-%e2%80%9c7-summits%e2%80%9d-challenge Adventure travel leader expands comfort program & launches new brochure In response to consumer demand, G Adventures, the world’s adventure travel leader, introduces G-Plus, the newly expanded Comfort program of more than 150 tours.  The operator also launches a new brochure highlighting the product lineup, its features, benefits and destinations. “Adventure and comfort are not [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/g-adventures-introduces-g-plus Assistant Editor’s Note: The following statement from the United State’s White House press office was released on January 19th 2012. This morning, President Obama will sign an Executive Order and announce new initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism in the United States. The U.S. tourism and travel industry is a substantial component of U.S. [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/president-obama-takes-actions-to-increase-travel-and-tourism-in-the-united-states Join Austin-Lehman Adventures’ founder Dan Austin and PR pro Dave Wiggins for an informative and thought provoking conversation on the “Essence of Adventure Travel” – journeys of discovery that benefit both the traveler and the destination. Hear the story of how ALA came to be recognized as one of the top adventure tour operators in [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/media-webinar-invitation-join-us-for-telling-the-austin-lehman-adventures-story Seattle, WA – Kurt and Anne Kutay, founders and directors of Seattle-based Wildland Adventures, know what makes a good adventure. They’ve refined this sixth sense over 25 years of traveling the world looking for authentic travel experiences, partnering with extraordinary local guides, and designing meaningful cultural and natural history explorations for 20,000 Wildland travelers. “Today [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/wildland-adventures-offers-a-new-perspective-on-adventure-travel-trends-for-2012 Founded in 1993, Abenteuer Afrika Safari is Namibia’s leading Destination Management Company, specializing in incentive travel, luxury individual travel and group tours. Our enviable track record includes everything from multi-passenger cruise ship handling and incentive travel to detail-oriented individual travel with high profile clients such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and legendary African explorer [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/abenteuer-afrika http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/outside-television-to-premiere-original-programming-from-warren-miller-entertainment-and-teton-gravity-research 2011 was a turbulent year for the world, and thus for travel. Disruptions in weather, politics, economics, fuel prices and technologies stole the scene. While economic recovery appeared to steady itself early in the year, since then, the far-reaching, European debt crisis and financial stagnation in the U.S. economy continues to cast shadows and uncertainty.]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/2012-at-a-glance-travel-trends-by-region A recent article on Forbes.com, by Avi Savar, Founder and CCO of Big Fuel, a social media agency that is part of Publicis Groupe, discusses three trends and tools to watch in 2012 in the ever-evolving landscape of social media. 1. Geo-Gaming – Savar predicts that 2012 will be the year that geo-location technology – [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/three-social-media-predictions-for-2012 According to an article on InAudit.com, tax audit and advisory conglomerate KPMG has warned that many United Kingdom tour operators will go under this year unless they make undertake big strategic changes in their business models. Such changes would be in response to a challenging market environment where money-pinched consumers are flocking to low cost [...]]]> http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/uk-tour-operators-face-%e2%80%98make-or-break%e2%80%99-2012-says-kpmg