Archive for Ecotourism

New $140 Million Funding Deal for a 45MW Waste-to-Energy Plant in Costa Rica Engineered by Merchant Banking Firm, With Enthousiastic Government Backing

New $ 140 Million Funding Deal for a 45MW Waste-to-Energy Plant in Costa Rica Engineered by Merchant Banking Firm, With Enthousiastic Government Backing











Capital Corp Merchant Banking


(PRWEB) October 19, 2011

Capital Corp Merchant Banking has entered into a $ 140 million funding agreement with a US-based company to fund the first phase of a waste-to-energy plant, to be situated in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The full project will eventually amount to an investment totalling $ 400 million. As the Costa Rican government has grown impatient with landfills’ negative impacts, this development comes at a most opportune time.

The funding agreement is based on 11% common stock and 89% debenture. The project consists of starting with a plant capable of generating 15 MW/hr of electricity, after which it will build 2 (two) additional plants that will produce 15 MW/hr of electricity each, derived from various wastes, for a total of 45 MW.

The technology for the plant comes from Entech Renewable Energy Solutions, a technology provider and global leader in Low Temperature Gasification technology.

Costa Rica, like many other countries around the world, is facing a waste management problem and energy crisis; its landfill dilemma has social, economic, and environmental repercussions; it struggles to keep up with increasing demand for electricity; its power production is limited, which has engendered setbacks in growth; and energy production and waste management have become highly politicized issues. This project represents a long-term solution to both waste management and electricity production, while taking into account the country’s efforts to preserve its ecological and environmental balance. In fact, the Costa Rican Ministry of Health ruled in 2010 that municipalities would have to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly means of processing municipal solid waste (MSW) henceforth.

The plant has the capacity to convert 100% of landfill waste, and once completely finished it will be able to handle an intake of 520,000 tons of gasifiable waste and generate electricity up to 47.4 MW/hr.

Economic benefits to be derived from this ambitious project include but are not limited to: reduced cost of generating electricity; greater distribution of electricity throughout Costa Rica; reduce landfill-designated areas and thus reduce local pollution; increase property values in surrounding areas; myriad recycling benefits; and greater tourism value for Costa Rica as an eco-tourism hotspot as the country becomes ‘greener’.

This project will also play a major role in Costa Rica’s effort to reach its ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country by 2021. With this first project and 2 anticipated similar projects of similar size, the client intends to contribute to the reduction in the country’s carbon footprint by well over 4 million tons of carbon or equivalent greenhouse gases over the next decade.

The method by which this project is to be funded is the brainchild of Mr Gilles Herard, Jr. Mr Herard is a seasoned Merchant Banker and has been in the banking industry for 38 years. He worked early in his career at the Toronto Dominion Bank (Canada) and later on joined Manufacturer Hanover (MH) of New York as Senior Credit Analyst. He eventually created his own Firm, Capital Corp Merchant Banking, where he syndicates and structures funding for top companies worldwide, all the while investing his own firm’s funds into the projects. As the head of Capital Corp Merchant Banking, Mr Herard has become a leading figure in international middle-market project financing and engineers all funding structures for projects at Capital Corp. Mr Herard has received numerous awards for his work and other contributions including being appointed to the Presidential Business Commission, Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Advisory Council, nominated as Executive of the Year by the internationally acclaimed National Register’s Who’s Who, and having received the Senatorial Medal of Freedom, among many others.

About Capital Corp Merchant Banking: Capital Corp Merchant Banking offers quality Merchant Banking services for a variety of projects worldwide. Capital Corp Merchant Banking has developed close working relationships with groups of Professionals: Specialists in Finance, Commercial Risks Insurance and Re-Insurance, International Accounting Firms and Law Firms, and the largest Valuation Firm in the world. Capital Corp Merchant Banking is solution-oriented and known for being the most flexible Funding Source on the Market in creating handcrafted investment structures to meet the needs of the different constituent groups in each individual transaction. Capital Corp Merchant Banking offers many services: Project Financing, Consulting, Due Diligence, Evaluation of a Business, Negotiating Services, Acquisitions, Investment Approach, and Presentation Reports as well. For further information, please visit our website.

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Global Basecamps Features Custom 14 Day Vietnam Itinerary

Global Basecamps Features Custom 14 Day Vietnam Itinerary











Ha Long Bay Cruise


Encinitas, California (PRWEB) October 25, 2011

Southern California based specialty travel company, Global Basecamps recently developed a unique 14 day Vietnam travel itinerary. Travelers can experience all of the country’s highlights on this custom tour, with flights between each city, maximizing the time spent in Vietnam and allowing vacationers to see as much as possible. The two week itinerary can be further modified, or extended, depending on the clients travel goals, as Global Basecamps offers completely customized trips. The tour makes for an unforgettable journey through Vietnam, starting from Hanoi, continuing on a Ha Long Bay cruise, heading south to the ancient capital of Hue, and then spending some times on the beaches of Hoi An. Clients will also venture into the heart of the Mekong Delta and see the bright lights of Saigon.

Global Basecamps specializes in travel to Vietnam. Each of their Vietnam tours has been developed by experts who have been traveling to Vietnam for over a decade, allowing them to hand pick the best eco lodges and eco tours to be utilized in Global Basecamps’ itineraries. “Tourism in Vietnam is experiencing a recent and exciting change in trend in the travel industry. In addition to wanting to visit Vietnam’s celebrated highlights, as outlined on our Custom 14 Day itinerary, travelers are also seeking to incorporate their specific interests into any visit to Vietnam. Whether it be Vietnam veterans returning to re-visit sites from the war, adventure junkies seeking out unique eco-tours or foodies coming to eat; Vietnam is one of those incredible destinations that really does offer it all,” says Meagan Yash, one of Global Basecamps’ Vietnam travel specialists.

In Hanoi travelers enjoy a welcome dinner and a water puppetry show, an art form unique to northern Vietnam. The next day is spent exploring the capital including the first university in Vietnam, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the bustling Old Quarter. The journey continues to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise on a traditional wooden junk. The cruise is designed to avoid the over crowded areas of Ha Long Bay, venturing to a fishing villages and giving travelers the opportunity to investigate one of the bay’s sea level caves in a small sampan or a kayak.

The itinerary then continues to the ancient capital of Hue, including a visit to the incredible Royal Tombs of Emperor Minh Mang or Emperor Khai Dinh, a drive to Imperial Citadel of Hue and a stop at the Dong Ba market. Following Hue, travelers can relax on the beaches of Hoi An before continuing to Ho Chi Minh city, where they’ll visit Binh Tay market, which is the biggest in Ho Chi Minh city. The tour ventures out of the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh to Vinh Long for a Mekong River cruise.

Winter is an ideal time for Vietnam travel, as it is the dry season in the northern and southern regions of the country. However, due to the country’s size and considerable weather variation there really isn’t one specific time or another when the weather is ideal throughout the entire country. Hanoi and Halong Bay experience humidity year round. By visiting Northern Vietnam during the winter travelers can avoid the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. The ideal time to visit the north is from November to April. In the winter the average temperature is around 63 °F. The south of Vietnam has a humid, tropical climate year round. Rainy/monsoon season in the south is from May to November. December to March is the best time to visit Southern Vietnam.

Global Basecamps is a specialty travel resource designed to simplify the process of researching and booking sustainable hotels, lodges and private tours worldwide. Allowing independent travelers to journey at their own pace and ensuring trip priorities are met while keeping maximum flexibility on the road, Global Basecamps truly makes exploration easy. Please visit http://www.globalbasecamps.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ali Dempsey, Global Basecamps, (866) 577-2462, Ali (at) globalbasecamps (dot) com

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Vacation Rental Market Offers Tourism With Minimal Environmental Impact and Encourages Ecotourism in Kauai, Hawaii

Vacation Rental Market Offers Tourism With Minimal Environmental Impact and Encourages Ecotourism in Kauai, Hawaii












Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) November 27, 2006

Kauai, HI: Kauai, Hawaii provides one of the most effective examples of ecotourism in the United States today by offering a tourist destination that has preserved its natural beauty while opening its arms to visitors from around the world. The growing availability of vacation rentals in places such as Kauai, Poipu, Princeville and Hanalei has lead to a change in the visitor experience. These vacation rentals offer tourists a unique opportunity to engage in the local communities and share in the true “Aloha” of Hawaii.

Ecotourism is defined by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association as “nature and culture based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports the well being of local communities”. According to a poll of HEA members in 2004, to be considered as genuinely engaging in ecotourism, operators need to minimize the negative impact on Hawaii’s cultural heritage, local communities and natural environment, as well as maximize the positive impact on these factors. Furthermore, these operators must also foster an appreciation of Hawaii’s sense of place among staff and visitors. In Hawaii, the spirit of the land is referred to as “aina”. Kauai condo complexes and hotels are sensitive to this “aina” because they are built with special care to have the least impact possible on the land and wildlife in the local area.

For the savvy traveler who is also environmentally concerned, Kauai vacation rentals can offer a true Hawaiian experience that does an outstanding job of providing first class amenities and service while allowing the traveler to experience the incredible raw beauty of a Pacific Island.    Online resources make it simple to plan a vacation based around the concepts of ecotourism because you can browse for Kauai vacations with just a few simple clicks of your mouse and yet still be able to get personalized, one-on-one service. Charles Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals states that, “Every vacationer is looking to have the vacation of a lifetime and we aim to help them find it in Hawaii. Our customers want to be able to ask questions about their trip and have a human interact with them and listen to their desires and dreams and make suggestions on what they would like.”

The focus on ecotourism in Hawaii causes operators to lean toward renewable tourism as opposed to building a 20 story hotel on the beach without considering its environmental impact. This creates an unprecedented opportunity for tourists to revel in the natural magnificence of Hawaii in a special setting of their own choice. Protecting the environment also gives tourists the opportunity to fully understand the wildlife, flora and traditions of Hawaii. Simply by surfing the Internet, travelers can view their potential Kauai vacation condos and finalize arrangements for their trip securely online. Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals further says that, “Allowing our customers to make a transaction easily and securely online also makes us unique. We provide our customers with service on all of the major Hawaiian Islands and offer accommodations, airfare and car rentals to customers wanting to travel to Hawaii.”

Environmentally responsible hotels are known as “green hotels” because they use energy and other natural resources in environmentally responsible ways. Ecotourism was also internationally recognized when the United Nations celebrated the “International Year of Ecotourism” in 2002. Hawaii has been engaging in the practice of ecotourism for many years and Kauai vacation rentals evidence the success of this vibrant, important movement. Incredible, first-class accommodations are available all over the island, from a Poipu vacation home to Kauai hotels, that enable visitors to have a realistic Hawaiian experience without compromising the world around them.

In short, ecotourism is a vehicle to sustainable development that makes it possible to accept tourists without compromising the quality of the land and its precious resources. A Kauai vacation gives well-informed tourists an opportunity to see the benefits of ecotourism in action, especially since this is a long-standing concept in this area of Hawaii.

Environmentally-friendly Hawaiian vacations are easier and more affordable to plan than was ever thought possible with the growing online resources available to travelers today. Take advantage of this technology to plan the most unique, socially-conscious trip of a lifetime! After all, today’s vacation rental market is filled with incredible travel opportunities that make a tropical trip more accessible than it ever was before.

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The Happiest Place on Earth is Leading the Way in Ecotourism – and Anamaya is Following Suit

The Happiest Place on Earth is Leading the Way in Ecotourism – and Anamaya is Following Suit











Anamaya Resort & Retreat Center


Costa Rica (PRWEB) July 31, 2011

Costa Rica, meaning Rich Coast, is known as one of the greenest and happiest countries in the world. Their army was put to rest in 1949 in order to implement more funds into the health care system and into education, and it has 5% of the world’s biodiversity with approximately 500,000 different species. The country has a number of separate microclimates because of its proximity to the equator, the fact that it is flanked by two oceans, has dry forests as well as rain forests, and has a number of active volcanoes. All of these facts contribute to Costa Rica’s biodiversity. It is a very special place for a variety of reasons. ***According to The Happy Planet Index, “Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world, have the second-highest average life expectancy of the Americas (second only to Canada) and have an ecological footprint…” Twenty Six percent of Costa Rica’s land is declared as conservation area and their plan is to be carbon neutral by 2021.

Not only is Costa Rica a green and happy country, it is also a leader in ecotourism. The country is politically stable, it is close to North America, and they have a reputation for being an environmentally friendly Country. Obviously the government is focusing time and energy into creating this image for the country, but the local businesses in the travel and hospitality industry are making significant changes to walk-the-walk of being environmentally responsible. Their domestic airline, Nature Air, is the first ever carbon neutral airline, and many Hotels like Anamaya Resort and Retreat Center are focusing on ecotourism and true sustainability.

Anamaya Resort is also known for their incredible organic restaurant, their health and wellness retreats, and their non-toxic construction and operating practices. Anamaya is a vacation paradise unlike any other to enjoy yoga retreats, surf camps, detox retreats and other fitness and wellness programs. It’s also become a very popular location for Yoga Teacher Training Retreats. Anamaya is situated on a cliff overlooking a breathtaking view in Montezuma, which is located in the Nicoya Peninsula. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the World’s Blue Zone areas, which is an area where people live the longest and the healthiest according to author Dan Buettner.

Another location to make mention of is Lapa Rios Ecolodge, which is the first hotel to receive a top level ranking certification for Sustainable Tourism. It overlooks the point where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean and is located in a private tropical nature reserve. It’s an award winning ecolodge that is recognized for being an ecotourism pioneer and focuses on being disciplined on environmentally sound initiatives. It’s a perfect location for people who are looking for a great vacation, adventure in the rainforest, and to be a part of the sustainable tourism movement.

It is a big responsibility to be a leader in ecotourism; it means promoting sustainable tourism in order to conserve the environment, creating tourism initiatives that benefit the local people, and raising political, cultural and environment awareness. Costa Rica is the trailblazer of ecotourism and with any luck more countries will take their lead. More and more travelers are socially conscious so eco-friendly practices will be chosen over and above alternative seemingly “convenient” features. For Anamaya Resort it is important that there is a green choice being made when vacationing and that there is an understanding that it is not just a marketing tactic.

*** References: “Costa Rica tops Happy Planet Index”. The Happy Planet Index 2.0. http://www.happyplanetindex.org/news/archive/news-2.html. July 29, 2011.

Contact:

Kelsey Matheson-McCord

Vice President/Co-Owner

Anamaya Resort & Retreat Center

kelsey(at)anamayaresort(dot)com

http://www.anamayaresort.com

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New Book Examines Global Landscape of ?Green Products?

New Book Examines Global Landscape of “Green Products”










Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) July 28, 2011

The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania today announced the publication of a new book, Green Products: Perspectives on Innovation & Adoption. The book explores the how consumer demand for environmentally sustainable products and services has fueled new economic growth around the world and provides an in-depth analysis of various successes and failures countries have experienced as they have worked to overcome market barriers and navigate public policy challenges.

“Green products and services have gained in acceptance and use throughout the world. This book represents an effort to map this growing universe and to offer specific examples from several countries around the world,” says Mauro F. Guillén, director of the Lauder Institute and co-editor of the book.

The book examines five case studies of environmentally sound innovation, showing how technological advances can provide for economic opportunities. Examples include eco-tourism in the Galapagos, electric vehicle adoption in Japan, moving beyond oil dependency to sustainability in Denmark, how sugarcane ethanol can be a cleaner fuel alternative, and environmentally friendly mass transit solutions.

The book is published by Productivity Press (Taylor & Francis), and funded in part by the Lowenstein Foundation, affiliated with Tom Bendheim (Lauder Class of 1990), and member of our Board of Governors. To obtain a review copy, please contact Leah Rifkin at (561) 361-6000 x 2113 or leah.rifkin(at)taylorandfrancis(dot)com. The book is available for purchase online at http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439854655.

Editors:

João Neiva de Figueiredo is Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at Saint Joseph’s University’s Haub School of Business and Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. With over 20 years experience in international business, Dr. Neiva was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, and a partner at JPMorgan Partners. His research and teaching focus on the role and effects of sustainability practices in the areas of strategy and international management. Dr. Neiva holds Electrical and Systems Engineering degrees from Rio de Janeiro’s PUC, an MBA with high distinction (Baker Scholar) from the Harvard Business School, and a Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard University.

Mauro F. Guillén is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies, and Dr. Felix Zandman Professor of International Management at the Wharton School. He has written extensively about multinational firms, economic development, and the diffusion of innovations. He received his PhD in Sociology from Yale and a doctorate in Political Economy from the University of Oviedo in his native Spain.

Contributors:

Jeffrey B. Bryant is a member of the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate class of 2010.

María Teresa Burbano is a member of the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate class of 2010.

José Gomez Moreno graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute joint MBA/MA program in 2010.

Farheen Qadir graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute joint MBA/MA program in 2010 and is with BASF-The Chemical Company in Iselin, New Jersey.

Jessica Webster graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute joint MBA/MA program in 2010 and is with Expedia.

Jan Zelezny graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute joint MBA/MA program in 2010 and is with CitiGroup’s Investment Banking Division in Tokyo.

Julia Zheng is a member of the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate class of 2012.

Xiaoting Zheng is a member of the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate class of 2012.

About the Lauder Institute and the Wharton School:

The University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute, founded in 1983, combines a world–renowned Wharton MBA with a Master’s in International Studies. Advanced language and foreign culture training, a two-month in-country immersion, and a Masters Thesis from the School of Arts & Sciences all prepare Lauder Fellows for the ever-evolving global economy. Graduates join the diverse, supportive and committed worldwide Lauder community – continuing a 25-year tradition of international business leadership. The Lauder Institute also offers an MA/JD joint degree. The Lauder Institute is also home to the Penn Lauder CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research), funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which provided partial support for this conference. For more information, visit http://www.lauder.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania — founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school — is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. The most comprehensive source of business knowledge in the world, Wharton bridges research and practice through its broad engagement with the global business community. The School has more than 5000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and an alumni network of 88,000 graduates.

About the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences:

The School of Arts & Sciences provides a foundation for the scholarly excellence that has established Penn as one of the world’s leading research universities. The School enrolls 6500 undergraduates, admits approximately 250 students each year into its 32 doctoral programs, and offers a wide range of programs for lifelong learning. International studies are a vibrant enterprise at the School of Arts & Sciences. In addition to offering instruction in 50 languages, the school is home to an array of centers, programs and institutes dedicated to the study of world regions and contemporary global issues and conflicts.

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Pearson?s Hospitality & Tourism Interactive Wins 2011 Software & Information Industry Association CODiE Award

Pearson’s Hospitality & Tourism Interactive Wins 2011 Software & Information Industry Association CODiE Award











New York, NY (PRWEB) June 16, 2011

Hospitality & Tourism Interactive from Pearson is this year’s winner of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) CODiE Award for Best Education Game or Simulation. Students at more than 110 colleges and universities in the US are exploring careers in the hospitality industry in this 3-D learning environment.

Established in 1986, the CODiE Awards honor outstanding achievement across the software, digital information and education technology industries. Nominated products undergo an intensive review by subject matter experts, analysts, journalists and other respected authorities in education technology. This year’s 30 education CODiE winners were selected from more than 425 nominations.

“Educational gaming and simulation present boundless possibilities for preparing students for careers in today’s evolving job market. With Hospitality & Tourism Interactive, students become immersed in the world of hospitality careers. They learn the ins and outs of the industry, and develop valuable customer service insights and other skills that they will need to be successful in the diverse & growing hospitality and tourism area,” said Tim Bozik, CEO of Pearson’s Professional & Career group. “We are honored that the technology community has recognized Pearson’s Hospitality & Tourism Interactive with this coveted award.”

Hospitality & Tourism Interactive uses activity-based learning to allow college students to gain practical experience in developing customer service, service quality and leadership skills. Set in the virtual world of Little Wolfe Island, Hospitality & Tourism Interactive features 16 properties on the island, including a fine-dining restaurant, casual dining establishment, full-service hotel, boutique hotel, tiki bar, casino, water park and ecotourism rainforest tour. Students meet characters (avatars) that share information about their jobs and give activities to complete. To watch a video about Hospitality & Tourism Interactive, click here.

Hospitality & Tourism Interactive is one of three Pearson products earning prestigious 2011 CODiE Awards. Also honored this year were MyMathLab Algebra I and II, a homework and assessment program and Words Their Way Online Workshop, an interactive professional development tool.

About Pearson

Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, has global reach and market leading businesses in education, business and consumer publishing (NYSE: PSO).

For more information, press only:

Lisa Wolfe, L. Wolfe Communications, 773-227-1049, lwolfe(at)lwolfe(dot)com

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Roughing It Deluxe: Cimarroncita Historic Ranch Retreat Features the Southwest?s best In Ecotourism and Heritage Lodging; New Summer Program Offerings Announced

Roughing It Deluxe: Cimarroncita Historic Ranch Retreat Features the Southwest’s best In Ecotourism and Heritage Lodging; New Summer Program Offerings Announced












Cimarron, NM (PRWEB) May 26, 2011

High in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Southern Rockies, but less than an hour from the arts and culture of Taos, NM, Cimarroncita Historic Ranch Retreat was built in 1908 as a wilderness resort reachable only by rail. Now fully restored, Cimarroncita features full service retreats for families, groups and individuals including delicious home cooked meals, access to some of NM’s most pristine private wilderness and trout water, and unique programming for those in need of a true summer sanctuary.

The summer season in this high mountain country lasts from June 1 through September 30th.

Bookings for heritage lodging and nature adventure including fly fishing and guided hiking are accepted throughout the season.

In addition special programs are offered, new summer programs include:

A Cowgirl Weekend: August 19-21 $ 800 per person** An event not to be missed for those women whose dream getaway involves the keywords horses, casual, and loads of fun. Equestrian director Nancy Burch has been wrangling horses in this part of New Mexico for thirty years, she knows the Cimarroncita back country, how to match a rider with a horse, and how to have fun.

With an evening ride on arrival day and a morning ride on departure day, and featuring a full-day Saturday Trail Ride with a gourmet picnic lunch on the trail, Nancy will lead the rides through Cimarroncita’s high mountain back country where guests will experience the spectacular vistas of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Southern Rocky Mountains, abundant wildlife, and even white tablecloths and champagne around the campfire.

Heart of the West, Week of Enchantment: July 3-9 $ 1350 per person** This escorted tour starts in Santa Fe and features a historic, cultural, and culinary journey unlike any other—first the Cimarron 4th of July Rodeo delights, followed by the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taos Pueblo, and includes Santa Fe’s world class Opera, among other adventures.

The Nature of Transition: July 22-24 $ 600 per person** Join Laurie Silver, psychotherapist, certified life and executive coach, and founder of “adayatthemindspa” presents “The Nature of Transition”. Reflective, interactive and spontaneous practice allows participants to discover their own transitions and gain insight from the magnificent natural surrounding.

Plein Air Painters Workshop: August 25-28 & September 22-25 $ 795 per person** Join artist, Judith D’Agostino, in a plein air workshop for beginners to advanced painters. From streams to mountains in an unforgettable setting, Judith will teach you the fundamentals of capturing the surrounding Cimmaroncita landscape of Northern New Mexico. Individual attention will be given to each participant and evening critiques will be part of the experience.

Judith taught at the University level for several years and retired as Director of Education at the Tucson Museum of Art in 2001. Her work is exhibited in galleries in Santa Fe, Scottsdale and Toronto, Canada and is in the collections of prestigious museums throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Photography Workshop: Summer Wildflowers: August 22-25 & Autumn Brilliance: September 22-25 $ 795 per person** Led by Taos photographers Steve Immel and Daryl Black, this workshop provides the Place, the History and the People as well as sound experienced guidance to take your photography to another level. This is an opportunity to develop your photographic skills and create dynamic, thought provoking images in a stunning wilderness getaway.

All Summer Getaways are featured in detail here: http://www.cimarroncita.com/getaways.php

WHY CIMARRONCITA: Cimarroncita offers nature tourism and heritage lodging in a spectacular setting of pristine wilderness and protected lands. Located in northeastern New Mexico at the heart of the Cimarron Canyon in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains, Cimarroncita’s two-mile Dream Water stretch of Cimarron River is among the finest private fly fishing in the Southwest.

LOCATION & GETTING THERE: Cimarroncita is just east of Ute Park between Eagle Nest and Cimarron on Highway 64, the route connecting and extending New Mexico’s two most beautiful official scenic byways, “The Enchanted Circle” and “The Santa Fe Trail”.

Elevation: 7300 feet at the valley floor, to 9400 feet at its highest peak.

170 miles northeast of Albuquerque • 110 miles northeast of Santa Fe 50 miles southwest of Raton • 45 miles northeast of Taos

Driving directions can be found here: http://www.cimarroncita.com/location.php

CONTACT INFORMATION: Mailing address: Cimarroncita / P.O. Box 68 / Ute Park, NM 87749; telephone: Toll free 866-376-2482 / local 575-376-2376; email: info(at)cimarroncita(dot)com

PRICING INFORMATION:

**ALL SUMMER PROGRAM COSTS INCLUDE MEALS AND LODGING

*Lodging and nature activities: $ 250 per night per person (includes fishing the Cimarron River, or guided hiking/ birding etc.)

*Guided overnight camping expedition: $ 350 per night per person

*Horseback riding: available at additional cost (not including Cowgirl Weekend)

*Exclusive Use Venue for Celebration, Reunions, Meetings: Custom pricing based on custom use

**Note: Pricing is all inclusive of lodging and meals, activities and programs.

Tax and gratuity is added at time of booking.

For media inquiries, please call Jennifer Hobson 505 603 8643 or Jennifer(at)jlhmedia(dot)com

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Family Ecotourism Epicenter, Greenloons.com, Expands Costa Rica Offerings to Include Luna Lodge Eco-Vacations

Family Ecotourism Epicenter, Greenloons.com, Expands Costa Rica Offerings to Include Luna Lodge Eco-Vacations










Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 19, 2011

DC based eco-travel provider, http://www.greenloons.com, just added 5 new family friendly trips to its Costa Rica vacations repertoire. A Certificate in Sustainable Tourism – Level 3 certified lodge, Luna Lodge operates on 100% hydro-electric energy and solar power. Located in Costa Rica’s beautiful Osa Peninsula, called “…the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic Magazine, Luna Lodge also supports The White Hawk Project, a private non-profit working to extend the boundaries of Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park.

With an emphasis on the Greenloons goal to preserve ecosystems, educate visitors about conservation, empower localities, and operate sustainable tourist attractions, a trip to The Osa Peninsula’s Luna Lodge provides a rewarding, fun and unique family experience. Suitable for children as young as 6, travelers spend their days birding, hiking through lush rainforest, horseback riding, kayaking, or exploring Corcovado National Park, with options to nourish the mind, body, and spirit with an invigorating yoga class or visit to the Luna Spa. Guests stay in spacious, thatched roof bungalows and receive evening appetizers and several gourmet meals over the course of their stay. The five tours, the Rainforest Discovery Package, Rainforest Adventure Package, Toucan Birding Package, Hummingbird Birding Package, and Honeymoon Package average less than $ 1,000 per person, depending on the season.

According to Luna Lodge founder and owner, Lana Wedmore, ¨Luna Lodge is very excited about working with Greenloons because they have identified the difference between Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism. It is an honor to be represented by them because their clients are going to understand and appreciate the philosophy of Luna Lodge and the importance of protecting the rain forest and Mother Earth.¨

About The Osa Peninsula

Offering a perfect blend of virgin lowland rainforest and an exquisite tropical beach environment, the Osa Peninsula’s 42,000-hectare Corcovado National Park is home to almost 400 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, over 500 species of trees, and more than 6,000 species of insects. With 13 major ecosystems, the park protects endangered species such as the jaguar, puma, crocodile, tapir, poison dart frogs, and the harpy eagle. The expansive beaches of the Osa, especially those near Carate, where the lodge is situated, are also major nesting sites for several varieties of sea turtles.

About Luna Lodge

Founded by Lana Wedmore, Luna Lodge is a wonderful example of the power of ecotourism in terms of preserving the environment and its wildlife while connecting with nature. Since it opened in 2000, it has been recognized by Travel and Leisure as one of the “Top 25 Eco-Lodges in The World” and by Yoga Journal as, “…ultimate rejuvenation, 12 blissful yoga vacations.”

The Luna Lodge has also joined together with the White Hawk Project, a foundation aimed at protecting the Carate River Valley. The goal of this project is to purchase forested lands for protection of all of the wildlife in the Carate River Valley. It will be part of a protected corridor that will span from Corcovado National Park to Luna Lodge and continue to the southern end of the peninsula. With much of this land bordering Corcovado National Park, the corridor would literally be an extension of the park where the animals can roam freely and be protected. For more information about Luna Lodge, visit: http://www.lunalodge.com/

About Greenloons

Founded by eco-entrepreneur, Irene Lane, Greenloons L.L.C. is a Washington DC based company dedicated to providing nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists worldwide with trusted information about responsible, sustainable, and certified ecotourism travel vacations and volunteer conservation efforts both in the U.S. and internationally.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Greenloons Releases Inspirational and Informative “True Green Travel” Video Launches

Greenloons Releases Inspirational and Informative “True Green Travel” Video Launches










Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 25, 2011

Family friendly eco-tourism provider, Greenloons, just launched a free video entitled True Green Travel on their community blog. The video promotes the Greenloons mission, which is to inform and aid eco-conscious consumers in making responsible purchasing decisions when it comes to travel. A one stop shop for a wide array of eco travel services, Greenloons is transforming the global travel landscape for the better, and this must-watch video is sure to advance them along this path.

Soothing music and breathtaking photos of families on Greenloons adventures worldwide provide a relaxing video introduction. The video goes on to explain what ecotourism is all about: the discovery of a natural or wildlife habitat that maximizes local economic and social goals, while reducing the possibility of damage to the environment. True Green Travel emphasizes the fact that Greenloons only lists tours that have been certified by respected independent third parties to empower local communities, emphasize environmental education, support conservation efforts, minimize tourist waste, and respect local cultures and traditions.

The video also highlights the fact that Greenloons was founded based on a need for increased transparency in the ecotourism industry, which is estimated to be growing 5 percent annually worldwide, representing 6 percent of the world gross domestic product and reflecting 11.4 percent of all consumers spending. While the industry growth is a step in the right direction, it has unfortunately triggered travel suppliers to saturate the market with hundreds of loosely understood eco holiday-labeled travel products, causing consumer confusion as to what the term ecotourism represents. Until now, there has not been a simple way for consumers to understand the ecotourism certification award process, evaluation criteria, and monitoring methods that would allow them to make truly environmentally and socially responsible vacation decisions.

“By highlighting fun, safe and educational vacation experiences and emphasizing the importance of responsible tourism in this video, we hope more people will be inspired to connect at a deeper level with the places and people they are visiting,” said Irene Lane, founder and president of Greenloons. For more information about the ecotourism industry, or to book a Greenloons eco-vacation today, please visit http://www.greenloons.com.

About Greenloons

Greenloons L.L.C. is a Washington D.C. based company dedicated to providing nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists worldwide with trusted information about responsible, sustainable, and certified ecotourism travel vacations and volunteer conservation efforts both in the U.S. and internationally.

About Blue Water Media

Blue Water Media is a leading Washington DC web design agency. Offering clients a variety of design services including print, brand identity and web design, Blue Water Media has worked with businesses in a wide variety of industries in the Washington DC metro area and beyond. Blue Water Media’s reputation for developing innovative yet functional websites and online marketing campaigns establishes it as an industry leader. For more information, please visit: http://www.bluewatermedia.com/.

Contact: Bridget Zingale

Blue Water Media

bzingale(at)bluewatermedia(dot)com

877-861-2583

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Australia?s Red Centre Solar City hosts Global Eco Tourism Conference

Australia’s Red Centre Solar City hosts Global Eco Tourism Conference













Alice Springs accommodation using solar power


(PRWEB) November 4, 2009

The Northern Territory’s solar city, Alice Springs, will host the brightest sparks of the ecotourism industry at the Asia Pacific ecotourism conference, Global Eco, from 9-11 November.

As travellers continue to display their growing appetites for all things green, the conference program will introduce tourism operators and industry participants to new technologies, research, product partnerships and policies, and showcase the “full gamut” of challenges, and potential solutions, facing the industry.

The impressive list of speakers includes chief executive of Ecotourism Australia, Kym Cheatham; Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett; president of non-profit organisation Sustainable Travel International, Brian T. Mullis; director of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Tourism and Recreation Group, Lisha Mulqueeny, and Frank Hubbard, director of corporate responsibility for IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group).

IHG includes the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs, which has set the green benchmark for the Australian business sector and hotel industry, by covering its roof in solar panels, creating the largest building-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the southern hemisphere. This ground-breaking $ 3.3 million installation will reduce the hotel’s energy consumption by between 40 and 80 percent.

The most anticipated speaker will be Costas Christ, the global travel editor of National Geographic Adventure, and an internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism. An ecotourism pioneer, he is also the lead author of Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism’s Global Footprint and a contributing author in Wilderness: Earth’s Last Wild Places.

Alice Springs was deemed the most suitable location for the conference in light of the extensive ‘green’ initiatives that have been instigated by its local government and tourism operators, in an attempt to create the most sustainable tourist destination in Australia.

Tourism NT Environmental Tourism Development Officer Natasha Smith said that the Alice Springs businesses and community had shown tremendous initiative in making Alice Springs the solar capital of Australia.

“Tourists travelling to Alice Springs now have a fantastic opportunity to learn about solar technologies at the new, world class Desert Knowledge Solar Centre,” Ms Smith said.

“This 3.1million centre showcases the largest range of solar power technologies in the southern hemisphere, through commercial-scale installations.

Within the town of Alice Springs, the local community and businesses are also heavily engaged in embracing sustainable technologies. Since the Alice Solar City was launched in March 2008, 1121 households and 75 businesses have got on board to reduce their energy consumption.

For more information visit:

http://www.globaleco.com.au

http://www.alicesolarcity.com.au/

http://www.dkasolarcentre.com.au/

http://www.australiasoutback.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.