(SEATTLE) – To assist deserving adventure tour operators in growing responsibly, today the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK) announced the launch of a new scholarship program that provides financial support to early-stage adventure tourism enterprises.
Providing young businesses with access to the ATTA’s global network, its membership resources and the Adventure Travel World Summit, is the strategic impetus behind the ATTA‘s Tour Operator Scholarships – made possible by Teva. In 2009, three scholarship recipients will receive:
- A complimentary membership in the ATTA for one year ($500 USD value);
- One pass to the Summit ($895 USD value); and
- A $1,000 USD travel stipend for travel to the Summit
Three scholarships will be awarded on September 22, 2009. All entries will be reviewed by members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association's Board of Advisors and Teva, and evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated need (start-up's, nonprofit status – though not a requirement, located in an emerging but impoverished destination, etc.),
- Potential for positive impact on local cultural, ecological, and/or historical resources;
- Exemplary ecological, historical, and cultural practices;
- Exemplary efforts to work with local and indigenous peoples;
- Proof of the highest level of professional ethics and practices; and
- Ability to prove how this Scholarship will be used to elevate the business to achieve a higher level of success - and how it can be utilized sustainably to build long-term and lasting success for the company and the people and places visited.
“At Teva, we believe adventure is the perfect excuse to get outside, explore the world and be together,” said Liz Ferrin, Teva Global Branded Content Manager. Our partnership with ATTA gives us the opportunity to build relationships with like-minded individuals, organizations and outfitters who share our passion for adventure and travel.”
Deadline for scholarship submissions is 11:59 p.m. (PT) on September 15, 2009. Qualified tour operators may access the application form at http://www.adventuretravel.biz/operator-scholarship-teva.aspx.
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About Teva
Founded in 1984, Teva began with an unassuming Grand Canyon river guide and an idea that would become the world's very first sports sandal. The first pairs of Teva footwear were sold out of a van to friends and fellow boaters at the various put-ins along the river. From this beginning a culture of passion for adventure has defined the Teva lifestyle. Today, Teva remains committed to both the innovation in footwear suited for the adventure lifestyle and the protection of the earth's waterways. Teva is a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK. Deckers Outdoor Corporation strives to be a premier lifestyle marketer that builds niche brands into global market leaders by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear developed for both high performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. Teva®, Simple®Shoes, UGG® Australia, TSUBO®, and Ahnu® are registered trademarks of Deckers Outdoor Corporation.
About the Adventure Travel Trade Association
Established in 1990, the ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences (www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com), the ATTA also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler’s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.