(SEATTLE) - January 8, 2009 - With steep air discounts negotiated, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) will hold its 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Canada at Québec Province's historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu October 19-22, an event that will serve as the global gathering point of the adventure travel community this year.
Situated between the sea and the mountains, in the scenic region of Charlevoix in the town of Malbaie, Le Manoir Richelieu will serve as the conference setting. Surrounded by the Saint Lawrence River, Le Massif and Mont Grand Fonds mountains, Le Manoir offers an excellent adventure and conference venue combined with the sophistication of a world-class resort.
"Tourism Québec and the association of professional outfitters in adventure tourism and eco-tourism (AEQ) are proud to host the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit. To receive this world-class event is a unique chance for the province of Québec to showcase our 1.6 million square kilometers of lakes, rivers and pristine land to adventure travel and trade representatives attending from all over the world," said Pierre Gaudreult, general director of Aventure Écotourisme Québec. "We have chosen an enchanting site nestled in the heart of nature, where all guest will have the opportunity to live a unique experience that will mesmerize all senses."
Le Manoir, named in 2007 by Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 500 Hotels in the World, is a Fairmont property, an organization which for two decades has focused on responsible tourism practices and sustainable hotel management. Affordable rates were negotiated for delegates' stay in this historic landmark status and luxury offering (C$159 standard per night).
Additionally, to further offset costs, ATTA and partner Tourisme Québec have secured 50 percent airfare discounts for delegates and their guests with Air Canada for all flights entering Canada.
Entering its fifth year, the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) events engage, enlighten, inspire, and energize the leaders of the adventure travel community with executive-level networking, business and professional development programs, educational seminars and emerging adventure destination product review opportunities. With its ATWS events, the ATTA and its Summit delegates influence the manner in which adventure travel is introduced, executed and sustained in any given destination worldwide - encouraging the industry to adopt sustainability and best practices that give back to the people and places impacted by adventure travel.
Marketing, networking and best practices will drive the agenda for the 2009 ATWS. Summit keynote addresses and a mix of strategic and tactical interactive roundtables, workshops and forums will help adventure travel organizations turn operational, marketing, partnership and prospect opportunities into results-oriented endeavors. Select areas of emphasis for the 2009 ATWS will include:
- Networking - business-to-business marketplace and strategic alliances
- Marketing - trends, branding, marketing, advertising, public relations, etc.
- Internet - SEO, social networking, email marketing, blogs, etc.
- Sales & Conversion - customer acquisition, customer relationship management
- Business & Operations - Cash flow management, thriving during economically challenging periods, risk management, insurance, etc.
- Best Practices - Training, safety and standards
- Sustainable/Responsible Tourism - Indigenous, community and volunteer-based tourism, travel philanthropy, carbon offsets, etc.
Summit attendance is limited to the first 600 registrants. Registration is accessible at www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com. Fees include sessions, meetings, conference materials, receptions, entertainment and meals. "Early Bird" registration expires April 15, 2009 and is $775.00USD for ATTA Members, $995.00USD for non-members.
October 20-22 represents the core conference period, while ATTA's Day of Adventure, which is included in the conference fee, is set for October 19. Pre-Summit exploratory adventures also will be made available to delegates and will be announced early in the spring.
Main Sponsors of the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit include Tourisme Québec, ExOfficio, W.L. Gore & Associates and Men's Journal.
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, travel agents/agencies, guides, lodges/resorts/attractions, media, and service providers. Host of the ATWS, the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost-saving resources to its members.