Green Living Project Expands to South America
New expedition to Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru features partnerships with Ecuador Ecotourism Association, Ecuador Tourism, Brazil Tourism, and LAN Airlines
Los Angeles, CA (March 25th, 2009) – Green Living Project, the leading media production and marketing company showcasing global sustainability initiatives, has announced their newest media expedition, this time to South America (April 5-30). Green Living Project™ will document 9 new sustainability initiatives administered by leading conservation organizations, non-profits, foundations, travel companies, and eco-lodges. These projects will be incorporated into the company’s online and offline content distribution platforms to educate and inspire individuals and communities on the importance and benefits of sustainable living.
Green Living Project (GLP) will be documenting projects in Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru, some of the leading responsible tourism and sustainability-focused destinations in South America. In these countries, GLP will collaborate with the following organizations on sustainability initiatives such as responsible tourism, wildlife conservation, voluntourism, environmental education, organic farming, renewable energy, eco-lodges, and indigenous communities.
- Ecuador Ecotourism Association (ASEC)
- Ecuador Tourism Board
- Brazil Tourism Board
- Amazon Conservation Association (ACA)
- Mountain Lodges of Peru, and several others
“The Ecuador Ecotourism Association (ASEC) and Ecuador Tourism Board are excited to collaborate with Green Living Project during their upcoming media expedition to Ecuador,” said Christian Mera, Executive Director of ASEC. “We look forward to having GLP document successful examples of sustainability across Ecuador. We have also found an amazing opportunity to promote the wonders of Ecuador as a premier destination for sustainable tourism in South America to the adventure and responsible tourism market across North America.”
“Brazil Tourism Board’s Public Relations Department supports foreign journalists coming to Brazil to promote our cultural and natural diversity, as well as our tourist destinations,” said Mariana Szauter, Public Relations Manager of Brazil Tourism Board. “We look forward to having Green Living Project help us build an awareness around sustainability, biodiversity, and natural resource conservation, while also helping to increase global social responsibility.”
“Receiving strong support from leading tourism boards (Ecuador, Brazil) and an established global airline (LAN Airlines) was important in GLP’s expansion to South America,” said Rob Holmes, Founder and President of Green Living Project. “South America offers such an exciting contrast to our extensive work across Africa. From varied terrain (Amazon rainforest, Andean cloud forests, volcanic landscapes, Pacific Ocean) to diverse local sustainability and conservation project themes (brazil nuts, indigenous communities, sea turtles, spectacled bears, permaculture), we are excited to document, promote, and distribute these successful and educational sustainability projects.”
This South American media expedition will feature new interactive and social media applications as consumers can monitor and track the expeditions via the following:
- Twitter: Short daily text updates
- Facebook: Periodic text, photo, video updates
- Google Maps®: Real-time tracking of the media expedition whiles in the field (launching April 6th)
About Green Living Project
Green Living Project (GLP) is the leading media production and marketing company showcasing global sustainable initiatives. Through various multi-media production and distribution techniques, GLP aims to educate, inspire and entertain while encouraging individuals and communities on the importance and benefits of sustainable living. GLP markets and promotes its exclusive media content online and through a North American “Event Series”. Key partners and sponsors include National Geographic Adventure, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), African Wildlife Foundation, Earthwatch Institute, Green Festival, Adventures in Travel Expo, Timberland, Gregory Mountain Products, and Keen Footwear. Green Living Project™ is a privately held company located outside of Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.greenlivingproject.com or contact Rob Holmes at (818) 988-2234 or rob@greenlivingproject.com.
Media Contacts
Rob Holmes Theresa Blake
Green Living Project Verde PR
+1 (818) 515-5167 +1 (970) 259-3555
rob@greenlivingproject.com theresa@verdepr.com
Mountain Lodges of Peru wins international TO-DO contest
(Berlin, Cusco) Two years after the opening of the first trans-Anden lodge-to-lodge trek to Machu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP) has won the grand prize of the renown competition TO DO! – Contest Socially Responsible Tourism. Following a comprehensive jury inspection on site, the prize was awarded during this year’s travel trade show ITB in Berlin on Friday, March 13th. “This is the result of our business strategy which from the beginning included the involvement of local communities and the use of environmentally sound practices”, Enrique Umbert Jr, General Manager of MLP is glad to point out.
The rationale for the award says: “MLP offers unusual trekking tours that satisfy the highest expectations regarding comfort and quality.”….”The company combines an economically promising strategy with comprehensive social and ecological responsibility in a plausible manner and helps to strengthen cultural identity.”
In Peru the MLP tourism concept is innovative and unique, as it is not focused exclusively on operating trips. To address environmental issues, they have set up a professional eco-team that surveys the trek, provides trail maintenance and clean-up, and assists with reforestation and wildlife conservation. Clean energy for the lodges will be obtained by micro-hydro projects that will also benefit the communities.
The social responsibility component of MLP is handled by a non-profit organization called “Yanapana” (“Help” in Quechua language; www.yanapana.org) which serves the people who live in the region. Members of the local communities have been trained to work in the lodges; they are given micro loans and technical assistance to improve the quality and sale of regional products such as preserves, weavings and vegetables. Medical care and education support for more than 1,700 children in the region is provided as well.
“During the building of the four first-class lodges in the Andes we strictly followed a concept that served the people and preserves the environment”, explains Enrique Umbert Sr, CEO of MLP. The lodges were designed by a local architect who incorporated the traditional Inca style of stone and adobe houses with straw roofs with more modern concepts of comfort and energy efficiency in such a way that the buildings completely blend into the Andean landscape; moreover, all the lodges fit well and deep into Inca mythology, architecturally and conceptually. The lodges feature rustic-elegant double bedrooms with private facilities, hot showers, heaters and Jacuzzis. Unique “Andean energetic cuisine” provides excellent and innovative meals in both lodges and along the trail, using local produce and organic food.
The travellers experience all this during the fully guided round trip from Cusco on the Salkantay lodge-to-lodge trek to Machu Picchu and back to the famous Inca capital. Over two thousand international hikers so far enjoyed this unique combination of first class accommodation and contact with people and nature. More information about the prize winning company MLP and the unique possibility to explore nature and culture in the Peruvian Andes is provided at the ITB, Berlin, March 10-15th, HALL 1.1, BOOTH 106 attended by representatives of MLP, Peru.
Further Information: Regine Vogel, Media Relations Europe
e-mail: media@mountainlodgesofperu.com
Elisabeth Leitner-Rauchdobler, Sales Europe
e-mail: elisabeth.lr@mountainlodgesofperu.com
Alaska Discovery Preserves and Protects with Top Conservation Partners
Emeryville, CA- Alaska Discovery is proud to announce a special partnership with three major conservation organizations to promote and preserve the unique wilderness of Alaska-the Alaska Conservation Foundation, Audubon Alaska, and Alaska Wilderness League. To celebrate these new partnerships, Alaska Discovery is crafting special itineraries to help raise awareness and protect fragile areas currently under threat. The 2008 Alaska Discovery catalog released this month features each organization with a full page description of their concerns and commitment to specific conservation projects, ranging from offshore Arctic waters, to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Tongass National Forest, and more.
For 2009, Alaska Discovery is partnering with Audubon Alaska offer an exclusive trip to Teshekpuk Lake. This area, a remote nursery for thousands of caribou, shorebirds, and waterfowl in the western Arctic, is currently under threat by oil and gas development. The trip will include hiking, wildlife viewing and bird watching, and canoeing on the Colville River, and will be co-led by an Audubon Alaska ornithologist and a senior guide from Alaska Discovery.
Alaska Discovery’s commitment to sharing the wonders of Alaska for “the enjoyment and conservation of the great Alaskan wilderness” has been part of the company mission statement since its inception. As the oldest and most experienced wilderness guiding company in Alaska, Alaska Discovery has long been regarded as a leader in wilderness travel and education. The company was a pioneer in ecotourism by connecting people to some of the most wild, scenic, and fascinating areas of Alaska while treading lightly upon the land. Chuck Horner, a Juneau outdoorsman, founded Alaska Discovery in 1972 when Alaska’s pristine Admiralty Island was threatened by massive clear cutting. He decided the best hope of protecting the island was to bring people into the wilderness to understand what was at stake. These camping trips proved so successful, Alaska Discovery was born (and Admiralty Island was saved).
Through their “Dollar-a-Day” program, Alaska Discovery and its guests have contributed thousands of dollars over the years to many Alaskan grass root conservation organizations, in addition to its current partners. Among the many awards Alaska Discovery has received is the prestigious Outstanding Long-Term Program Award of the Alaska Land Manager’s Forum for excellence in dedication and commitment to ethically and socially aware use of the land.
For more information, or to inquire about Alaska Discovery’s exciting adventures and conservation programs and partnerships, call 1-800-586-1911 or visit Alaska Discovery.
Mountain Travel Sobek, parent company of Alaska Discovery, wrote the book on adventure travel, pioneering the concept of small-group adventure travel more than 35 years ago, and has been exploring the world in imaginative ways ever since. It is the most experienced company you can choose for a trip to a remote place, and you can count on them to make your trip safe, memorable, fun and environmentally sound.�
Escape Adventures Featured in Sustainability Best Practices Report
LAS VEGAS, NV – Escape Adventures, a leading active travel outfitter, is once again gaining recognition for its proactive environmental approach.
Escape Adventures is featured in a new report of renewable energy best practices. The case study series, released by The Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiative (RETI), focuses on industry leaders that have adopted best practices in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“Escape Adventures’ commitment to sustainability is truly energizing,” said Wendy Kerr, Project Coordinator, RETI. “This company exemplifies the spirit of adventure and creativity needed to fully realize the wealth of rewards made possible by incorporating renewable energy into the tourism industry.”
