Tag Archive for Ecotourism

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

admin | January 27, 2012 | One comment

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







Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

admin | January 4, 2012 | One comment

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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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

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







Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , ,

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

admin | October 30, 2011 | One comment

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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Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

admin | October 20, 2011 | One comment

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©Copyright 1997-

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







Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jennifer Morfín Wins 2005 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award

admin | September 17, 2011 | One comment

Jennifer Morfín Wins 2005 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award










(PRWEB) June 4, 2005

Planeta.com – As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day, Planeta.com presents the fifth annual Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award to Jennifer Morfín Morgan

About the Colibri Award

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award is presented to a leading catalyst working toward ecotourism in Mexico.

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and the Colibri Award is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2005. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

The winner of the Colibri Award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader with consultation from members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network.

“Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals who are resourceful and innovative and who are bold enough to bridge the traditional divisions between tourism and the environment,” said Planeta.com founder Ron Mader.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri. “If ecotourism is ever to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it certainly has to develop at a much faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism. It is this potential for profit that has the greatest ability to cause the most profound changes.”

Planeta.com will participate in several environmental events in Mexico City during the World Environment Day weekend and will present the Colibri on the waters of the Xochimilco Gardens.

“If we desire to make our cities greener, making tourism greener is a great step forward,” said Mader, adding that urban ecotourism is a reality in Mexico City with such pioneering projects as the ciclovia (bike path) and the hiking and biking trails in the Ajusco mountains.

Planeta.com is no stranger to city-based nature tourism, having hosted the 2004 Conference on Urban Ecotourism. Participants at that event agreed upon the Urban Ecotourism Declaration, a collective response to a common challenge – making urban spaces more livable while protecting biodiversity.

Winner

Jennifer Morfín Morgan’s interest in ecotourism began when she began working at the Mexican Nature Conservation Fund (FMCN) and took part in several online conferences hosted by Planeta.com to see whether tourism could benefit conservation.

Jennifer’s work with communities goes back 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at Mexico City’s Universidad Iberoamericana and recently received a masters degree in Sustainable Tourism Management from the International Cooperation University of Costa Rica.

Her tenure at the FMCN began in 2000 and she was part of a team that created the Mexican Conservation Learning Network (IMAC). Jennifer’s work at IMAC is that of a web-savvy training manager specializing in sustainable tourism and wildfire management.

Jennifer describes her work as a way that connects conservation in the natural world with improving communication using a variety of media:

“I believe that promoting communication among institutions and communities links people with similar interests in a way that encourages transparency and sustainable development,” she said. “Sustainable development has renewed purpose when we use current technology to improve not only what we know, but how we collaborate and learn new things that improve our quality of life.”

Jennifer’s interest in sustainable tourism and ecotourism continues as IMAC strengths its coverage and Jennifer continues to work face-to-face with community leaders.

Feedback

Jenny is one of the most dedicated people I know in the conservation field, besides being one of the most efficient people I have worked with! Certainly she deserves it!

Edna Aguinaga

Totalmente de acuerdo con que Jennifer sea este año la ganadora del Premio Colibrí. Me entusiasma la idea. Más allá de que sea una amiga. Poca gente hay en iniciativas ligadas a gobierno que hayan favorecido al ecoturismo, Jennifer es una de ellas, quien además tiene un gran entusiasmo.

Fernando Garcia Aguinaco

I completely agree with Jennifer’s designation as a recipient of the 2005 Colibri Award. Her work in IMAC has been outstanding and she fully deserves this award.

Hector Ceballos-Lascurain

Of course Jennifer has all the qualifications for the Colibri Award. She has done a marvelous work and, as you say, her dedication to the “cause” is remarkable.

Verena Gerber

Excelente la propuesta para que Jennifer sea acreedora al Premio Colibrí 2005.

Angel Nieva

About World Environment Day

The United Nations General Assembly established the first World Environment Day in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. 2005 spotlights green cities.

Planeta.com is submitting our Declaration on Urban Ecotourism (the theme of our 2004 online conference) to the organizers of WED 2005. The declaration is a collective response to a common challenge — making urban spaces more livable while protecting biodiversity.

Organizers

Planeta.com

http://www.planeta.com

Canyon Travel

http://www.canyontravel.com

References

Colibri Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

World Environment Day

http://www.unep.org/wed

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







Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , ,

Francisco Ver

admin | August 31, 2011 | One comment

Francisco Verástegui Wins 2007 Colibri Ecotourism Award










(PRWEB) June 8, 2007

As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day, Planeta.com presents the seventh annual Colibri Ecotourism Award to Francisco Verástegui, who created Mexico’s first map of notable and historic trees.

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Ecotourism Award is presented to a leading authority and catalyst at the vanguard of ecotourism in Mexico.

The winner of the award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader following consultation with members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network.

The United Nations celebrates World Environment Day each year on June 5 as a means to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhance political action.

About the Colibri Award

Francisco Verástegui receives the Colibri (“Hummingbird”) Award for his work in protecting the historic and notable trees of Oaxaca City and raising awareness of the urban environment.

Announcing this year’s winner, Planeta.com founder Ron Mader said, “Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals exemplified by Francisco Verástegui who are resourceful and who create new linkages connecting tourism and environmental conservation.”

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and in 2007 the Colibri Award celebrates its seventh anniversary, making this one of the longest-running ecotourism awards. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri. “If ecotourism is to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it has to develop at a faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism.”

The Colibri Ecotourism Award’s co-sponsor, Destination Ventures, is contributing another $ 1,000 directly to Planeta.com for development of spin-off media, including an English-language version of the map and DVD. The company specializes in travel industry education and currently works for the Mexico Tourism Board and United Nations Foundation in promoting sustainable travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Previous winners include Steve Bridger , Jennifer Morfín, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain , Jorge Chàvez de la Peña, Fernando Garcia Aguinaco, Marlene Ehrenberg, Juan Carlos Ibarra and Antonio Suarez.

2007 winner

Francisco Verástegui is an artist born in Mexico City’s Condesa neighborhood who has lived in Oaxaca for the past twenty years.

His work is featured at prominent galleries, including Arte Cocodrilo and Arte de Oaxaca.

Verástegui’s passion for Oaxaca’s urban parks and gardens has never been stronger and in the spring of 2007 he collaborated with colleagues in producing the map Árboles Históricos y Notables. The first printing has a run of 7,000 copies, courtesy of La Curtiduria and Carteles de Sur, and is available in Oaxaca City at Amate Books, Macedonio Alcalá #307.

The map has attracted the attention of the local TV 9 which is preparing a video documentary about the trees.

Future work

In the planning stage is a portfolio of engravings of the historic trees created by Oaxaca’s most famous artists to be published by Fernando Sandoval, one of Mexico’s most prestigous printers. This will be sold to raise funds to pay for scientific studies, signage plaques and fences to protect the trees. The publication is sponsored by La Curtiduria and the Alfredo Harp Helú Foundation.

Planeta.com is preparing a DVD documenting trees in Oaxaca and is researching how to locate the trees using Google Earth. Planeta.com is also updating our online guides to forestry issues and documenting reforestation efforts in Mexico.

Testimonials

Sin lugar a dudas, hay pocas personas como Francisco Verástegui, interesados en crear proyectos para el bien común. Artista de gran talento y trayectoria, escritor de verdades y luchador incansable por nuestro patrimonio cultural e histórico y sobre todo un gran observador y pensador de nuestro tiempo, Verástegui es indiscutiblemente el mejor candidato para recibir el premio Colíbri por su dedicación en conservar, difundir y promover proyectos novedosos como La Hoja Volante uno dedicado a los árboles notables de la Ciudad de Oaxaca.

Demián Flores

Francisco Verástegui es alguien ha trabajado a favor del patrimonio natural e histórico de Oaxaca y en especial de nuestros entrañables árboles en los últimos tiempos ha sido precisamente él, quién con su decidida y significativa participación ha logrado despertar en nosotros el deseo de contribuir a la protección y salvaguarda de nuestro invaluable patrimonio. Sin embargo, el camino por recorrer el largo y difícil, por lo mismo considero que cualquier premio u apoyo que reciba Francisco le será de gran utilidad y le motivará a continuar con esta importante labor.

Víctor González Sánchez, Galeria Arte de Oaxaca

Tengo varios años de conocer a Francisco Verástegui y hoy mas que nunca me sorprende su personalidad ya que no logra estar sin movimiento un momento, siempre tiene en su ser una creatividad inmensa para el bienestar social que es realmente su pasion por la vida. Comenzo a mirar a los arboles de Oaxaca pero como solo él sabe hacerlo…..observando y dandose cuenta de su belleza y trascendio esta mirada a la Historia de cada uno. Hoy que me entero que esta propuesto para recibir el Premio Planeta me lleno de alegria porque es decir sí a la vida y sí a las personas que como Verástegui la viven atentos a la realidad.

Dora Luz Martinez Vasconcelos

Francisco Verástegui’s Oaxaca tree map is an innovative product that is of great interest to residents and visitors alike. This is urban ecotourism in action and it really works as the map results in one wanting to find more of these hidden green wonders in the city.

Gerhard Buttner

Kudos

Many thanks to friends and colleagues who are relaying the word about the Colibri Award including the United Nations Environment Programme.

Details

Colibri Ecotourism Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

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







Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , ,

Global Ecotourism Industry Grows as Holidaymakers Wake up to Climate Change

admin | August 4, 2011 | One comment

Global Ecotourism Industry Grows as Holidaymakers Wake up to Climate Change










(PRWEB) April 8, 2006

Once considered a passing niche in the holiday market, eco-tourism has benefited from an increased public awareness and a fuller acceptance amongst tour operators who now appreciate its longevity.

By doing away with the archaic model of maximising short-term profits at all costs whilst a particular destination is in vogue and replacing it with a sustainable, more responsible approach, eco-tourism has established itself as the true future of the holiday industry.

The success of eco-tourism lies in its very essence and in the shaping of tourism to complement the environment and the community which it serves. The days of the self-contained hotel complex, owned by overseas companies have seen many attractive areas become sterile franchises, often with little of their original appeal intact.

The need for a more sympathetic means of attracting visitors to interesting and unique destinations continues to abound as does the necessity for tourism to play a front line role in securing a manageable future for the world to which it owes its well-being.

To see how eco-tourism is benefiting local communities in the developing world visit http://www.baobabtravel.com

In some areas the positive impact of eco-tourism has seen an unprecedented growth in the region’s economy with visitors staying in locally owned accommodation, and ecological regeneration that other forms of tourism had prohibited.

BAOBAB Travel is a UK-based specialist eco-tour operator, born out of a combination of a love of Africa and travel, and a desire to actively work with and support local communities in the Developing World. Their philosophy is to promote an ethical and responsible form of tourism that is beneficial to both the economic and environmental sustainability of its local surroundings while offering original and more satisfying holidays to the public.

To find out more about the impact of eco-tourism visit http://www.baobabtravel.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

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Steve Bridger Wins 2006 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award

admin | May 21, 2011 | One comment

Steve Bridger Wins 2006 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award










(PRWEB) June 4, 2006

As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day (WED), Planeta.com today names Steve Bridger as the sixth annual Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award recipient.

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Award is presented to a leading catalyst working toward ecotourism in Mexico.

The winner of the award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader following consultation with members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network (Red Mexicana de Ecoturismo).

Steve was selected for his work developing the timely afterwilma.info website which provided unprecedented coverage of recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma.

Announcing this year’s winner, Planeta.com founder Ron Mader said, “Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals exemplified by Steve Bridger who are resourceful and innovative and who are bold enough to bridge the traditional divisions between tourism and the environment.”

About the Colibri Award

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and in 2006 the Colibri Award celebrates its sixth anniversary, making this one of the longest-running ecotourism awards. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri.

“If ecotourism is ever to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it certainly has to develop at a much faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism. It is this potential for profit that has the greatest ability to cause the most profound changes.”

Winner

Steve Bridger is the first non-Mexican winner of the Colibri Award. Based in Bristol, England, Steve and wife Gicela Morales (born in Tolimán, Querétaro) created the popular Mexicanwave website, winner of the 2003 Pluma de Plata given by the Mexican government.

Steve is passionate about Mexico and his goal is to inspire and educate so that more people become aware of the ‘real’ Mexico.

In 2005 Steve launched afterwilma.info to document “the Story of Cancún and the Riviera Maya getting back on its feet.” This is a great example of citizen journalism and commons-based peer production.

Steve explains in his blog’s about section: We all saw the scenes of devastation on the TV news bulletins. We rarely get to see – or read – of the recovery … It is now a conversation. Word-of-mouth is more powerful than an expensive TV ad. Consumers themselves are sharing good and bad experiences online.

Testimonials

Steve’s website is a practical tool for people to know what is really happening.

Kenneth Johnson, EcoColors

Steve and Gicela, I’m so proud of you for achieving this recognition. It is a very important achievement and great acknowledgment for the hard work and dedication your company has put forth in showing the authentic Mexico while preserving the natural environment and traditions. Congratulations!

Manuel Diaz-Cebrian, Director, Mexico Tourism Board

Afterwilma.info is clearly very much appreciated and a great source of news and information. A beacon for the immediacy and power of the web when used well.

Peter Hutchison, Author Footprint Guide to Mexico and Central America

Steve’s work as a journalist shows his commitment to sustainable tourism and Mexico. Even though he is far away physically, he really deserves this award. Congratulations Steve!

Jennifer Morfin, Colibri Winner 2005

Afterwilma gives us reliable information about Cancun and the Riviera Maya. It’s not sensationalistic (noticias amarillistas), but a frank account of what is taking place on the ground. Steve’s view of responsible tourism is what we need to see Mexico with new eyes.

Marlene Ehrenberg, Colibri Winner 2002

¿Cómo mantener información tan actualizada sobre México a algunos millares de millas de distancia? Al leer los blogs de Steve Bridger, mexicanwave.com y afterwilma.info, uno pensaría que se encuentra al pie del cañón, caminando diariamente senderos mexicanos. Evidente es que Steve ha viajado frecuente y profundamente en México a lo largo de los últimos años. Sin embargo, no deja de sorprender que en sus blogs se encuentra información actualizada a veces diariamente o semanalmente. Y que estas actualizaciones se hacen desde un rincón al suroeste de Inglaterra. Sin duda esto se logra porque Steve es un estupendo editor. Tiene los vinculos para poder tener una red de ojos y orejas así como un olfato por la información que enriquece su información. Pero sobre todo enriquece a los lectores en busca de información de primera mano. Y con esta información favorece un diálogo y crea una red de distintos participantes en el mercado turístico. Dialogo e informacón imprescindibles en el mundo actual donde cada vez hay más viajeros responsables en busca de información cierta y responsable. Al ser Steve una persona con la capacidad de tener los ojos bien abiertos no es de soprender que también sea un estupendo fotógrafo. El trabajo de Steve, como editor y fotógrafo, motiva e inspira.

Fernando Garcia Aguinaco, Colibri Winner 2003

About World Environment Day

The United Nations General Assembly established the first World Environment Day in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

“Stockholm was without doubt the landmark event in the growth of international environmentalism,” writes John McCormick in Reclaiming Paradise. “It was the first occasion on which the political, social and economic problems of the global environment were discussed at an intergovernmental forum with a view to actually taking corrective action.”

Another resolution led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme.

2006 WED

Deserts and desertification are the theme for the 2006 WED. Planeta.com invites readers to join the newest collaborative Flickr gallery focusing on World Deserts.

References

2006 Colibri Award

http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/red/0606award.html

Colibri Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

World Environment Day

http://www.unep.org/wed

Canyon Travel

http://www.canyontravel.com

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Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , ,

Growing Vacation Rental Market Encourages Ecotourism in Costa Rica and Lures Eighty Percent of Visitors with Pura Vida

admin | February 22, 2011 | One comment

Growing Vacation Rental Market Encourages Ecotourism in Costa Rica and Lures Eighty Percent of Visitors with Pura Vida











San Jose, Costa Rica (PRWEB) February 8, 2007

A recent survey conducted by Costa Rican Vacations revealed that more than eighty percent of their clients visit Costa Rica to get closer to nature and appreciate pura vida. “Pura Vida” is Costa Rica’s country motto, meaning pure life. The growing vacation market in Costa Rica encourages ecotourism and enables tourists to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat for a truly unique, environmentally-friendly travel experience.

Ecotourism, which actually means ecological tourism, was developed in the 1980′s and has grown in popularity since the United Nations celebrated the “International Year of Ecotourism” in 2002. The International Ecotourism Society formally defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Ecotourism gives travelers the opportunity to appreciate exotic wildlife found in various ecosystems without disrupting the balance of nature. Such tourism increases international understanding of different cultures and countries while building the economy of those nations. At the Third International Conference of Ecotourism in November, 2006, Costa Rica was recognized as one of the world leaders in ecotourism.

The name Costa Rica means “rich coast” and the country lives up to its title. There are over 850 species of birds, 13,000 plant species, 209 mammal species, 220 reptile species, 163 reptile species and 365,000 arthropod species found in Costa Rica today. Travelers can explore wetlands, aquatic habitats, dry forests, rain forests, mangroves and mountains to see monkeys, crocodiles and toucans up close. A Costa Rica vacation rental nestled in any of these beautiful locations can be easily found by browsing online. Casey Halloran of Costa Rican Vacations states, “We have a full website with great photographs of Costa Rica. We have images of all our hotel partners and tours. We continue to improve our customer satisfaction by offering top quality vacations. Our highly trained team of travel experts are here in Costa Rica to help you plan your adventure. We arrange your perfect Costa Rica travel experience and tailor every vacation package to fit you like a fine suit. We even meet you at the airport and are on call during your stay to deliver first class service. Our goal is to provide you a comfortable and memorable vacation in this paradise we call home.”

Costa Rica is home to 26 national parks and 8 natural reserves. When all national parks, wildlife refuges, biological reserves, forest reserves and other protected areas are considered, more than 27 percent of Costa Rica’s natural habitat is protected by the government. Because there is such a wonderful opportunity to appreciate nature in its raw form in Costa Rica, the State Department reports that the number of tourists visiting has increased by at least 6 percent annually over the past several years. Despite an increasing number of visitors to the country each year, Costa Rica travel remains environmentally sensitive. Martha Honey, a former resident of Costa Rica and the author of Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise, says that, “They do ecotourism very well in Costa Rica.”

Costa Rica ecotourism vacations are the perfect choice for many Americans looking to escape the harried pace of everyday life and feel the relaxing pleasure of coastal paradise. Whether savvy travelers are looking for the adventure of a lifetime or a romantic Costa Rica honeymoon, the wonder of nature, scintillating culture and lovely tropical beaches are delightful. More than one million Americans are expected to visit Costa Rica next year because it is highly regarded, attainable and rewarding.

Leisure is only a few mouse clicks away for hard-working vacationers who want treat themselves to an indulgent vacation in enchanting Costa Rica. To join the eighty percent of people looking to experience nature up close, go online to http://www.vacationscostarica.com to plan a luxurious, customized Costa Rican vacation today.

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Category: Ecotourism | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Eco Travel Website Transforms Ecotourism Industry through Increased Certification Transparency

admin | February 3, 2011 | One comment

New Eco Travel Website Transforms Ecotourism Industry through Increased Certification Transparency










Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 14, 2010

Global ecotourism provider, Greenloons, recently launched a comprehensive website created to add clarity to ecotourism certification procedures and help eco- conscious travelers make responsible and informed vacation purchasing decisions. Engaging and custom developed, Greenloons.com allows users to select from a variety of third-party certified ecotour vacations and conservation focused volunteer projects. The site provides a much needed sense of accountability in a rapidly expanding marketplace saturated with loosely understood eco-travel labeled products. In addition to simplifying the often labor intensive eco-trip planning process, Greenloons cultivates a sense of community and transparency surrounding the ecotourism movement, helping create an essential shift in the global tourism landscape.

From ecotourism education to listings for unique and inspiring wildlife adventures, Greenloons is an eco-conscious travel junkie’s paradise. Littered with breathtakingly vivid nature photos, the clearly laid out site boasts customized search functionality that allows users to easily find the information they seek. The “Ecotour Destinations” feature, for example, enables visitors to search for third party certified ecotourism destinations by country, activity, and departure date. Each tour description includes an overview, itinerary details, trip notes, availability dates, certifications, and customer reviews. If users create a personal account, they can search additionally by price, individual certification, customer ratings, or family friendly tours (i.e. those specifically designed for parents with children between the ages of six and twelve). For those interested in short term volunteer opportunities, the “Conservation Programs” search tool provides contact information and links to individual non-profit conservation organizations. Once the planning process has commenced, the “My Tours” feature enables registered users to keep track of their current trip arrangements and plan for future getaways with ease.

In addition to facilitating environmentally responsible vacation planning, Greenloons provides useful information about the global ecotourism market, which is currently growing 5 percent annually worldwide, representing 6 percent of the world GDP and reflecting 11.4 percent of all consumers spending. Details regarding regional certifications and international standards for ecotourism are clearly presented, helping consumers understand the ecotourism certification award process, evaluation criteria, and monitoring methods more thoroughly. In addition to disseminating ecotourism knowledge, the site engages users via the “Greenloons Community” section, where they are encouraged to submit personal travel stories, offer and read about travel tips and examples of ecotourism in people’s local communities, and browse through an extensive photo stream. They can additionally sign up for a Greenloons newsletter which provides them access to an exclusive Reference Guide to Ecotourism Certification as well as the latest in ecotourism news, discussion threads, destinations and volunteer conservation efforts.

“We created this website to introduce more clarity to what constitutes true ecotourism, while emphasizing the abundance of quality ecotours worldwide,” says Irene Lane, founder and president of Greenloons. “By recommending fun, safe and educational vacation experiences, we hope more people will connect at a deeper level with the places and people they are visiting.”

About Greenloons

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.

Source:

Greenloons L.L.C.

Links:

CMI Green Traveler Study 2010/2011 Emphasizes Importance of Third-Party Certification

http://www.cmigreen.com

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







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