Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) team members frequently share breaking news, helpful information, and trend highlights with each other. Below is a curated list of the industry news, global updates, and operational ideas we’ve been reading and discussing over the past several weeks that we think you’ll also find informative, inspiring, and intriguing.
Industry News
Changing Travel: The Sustainable Startups Boosted by Awards from Booking.com (The Guardian) - Ten start-up companies from eight countries recently received funding for sustainable tourism projects.
Plastics in Airline Catering Raise Questions About Carbon Emissions (Skift) - Eliminating plastics in the airline industry may result in increased fares and inconvenience.
‘It Was Like a Zoo’: Death on an Unruly, Overcrowded Everest (New York Times) - While waiting for ideal conditions to summit Mt. Everest, several people died, which prompted questions and concerns about how to manage tourism at the top of the world.
Suffering Unseen: The Dark Truth Behind Wildlife Tourism (National Geographic) - In-depth reporting from National Geographic reveals even “ethical” wildlife attractions may not be as animal-friendly as they seem.
Destination Slovenia: Sustainable Tourism Leaders, Stories, & Examples (Sustainability Leaders Project) - This collection of interviews offers insight into the efforts put forth by Slovenia’s destination leaders to develop sustainable tourism practices.
Global Issues
The World Lost a Belgium-sized Area of Primary Rainforests Last Year (World Resources Institute) - Global Forest Watch’s recently released report indicates Brazil lost the most tropical primary rainforest in 2018.
Plastic-Free and Carbon-Neutral; Can Costa Rica Keep its Promises? (The Outdoor Journal) - Costa Rica has ambitiously committed to become plastic-free and carbon-neutral by 2021.
How Japan’s Renewables-Powered Olympics Could Kick Off a Global Race for Clean Energy (The Conversation) - The country’s environmental commitment for the 2020 Olympic Games includes making medals from used electronics and nearly eliminating waste in new construction.
How Conservationists are Saving Scotland's Rainforests (Mother Nature Network) - Sixteen of Scotland's largest conservation organizations and charities are working together to protect Scotland’s threatened rainforests.
We Asked People in Vietnam Why They Use Rhino Horn. Here’s What They Said (The Conversation) - Previous campaigns to educate consumers about Africa’s rhino poaching crisis have been relatively unsuccessful. Perhaps understanding consumer motivation can actually address the problem.
Business Tips
How Leaders Around the World Build Trust Across Cultures (Harvard Business Review) - Understanding and respecting trust-building norms throughout the world empowers leaders to conduct business in a culturally appropriate manner.
5 Ways to Market to That Fickle Group Called Millennials (Entrepreneur) - From podcasting to native advertising, this digitally savvy demographic can be reached with a thorough understanding of its habits and preferences.
Tailoring the User Experience: Personalization, Customization, or Individualization? (PhocusWire) - Today’s dynamic performance marketing methods turn yesterday’s traditional marketing process upside down.
Communicating Your Brand’s Personality in Every Promotion (Relevance) - Every piece of communication is an opportunity to convey a message about your company’s brand purpose and personality.
4 Ways To Deal With Passive-Aggressive People at the Office, According to a Career Coach (Business Insider) - Passive-aggressive behavior can create a toxic work environment, but company leaders can manage the problem before it spirals out of control.
Read past editions of Eye on the Industry:
- Eye on the Industry: Komodo Dragons, Ocean Sanctuaries, and Mindful Leadership (7 May 2019)
- Eye on the Industry: Trip-Planning Artificial Intelligence, a Greening Planet, and the Experience Economy (26 March 2019)
- Eye on the Industry: Plastic-Free Flights, Receding Glaciers, and Hidden Facebook Marketing Tools (12 February 2019)
- Eye on the Industry: A Community-Based Māori Initiative, the Plastics Backlash, and Instagram Stories (28 December 2018)
- Eye on the Industry: Balancing Privacy and Personalization, Boracay Island Reopens, and Powerful Peer Coaching (13 November 2018)