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Conservation, Cultural Travel, Economic Benefits of Travel & Tourism, ecotourism, Environmental Activism, Importance of Tourism, international travel, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel, Uncategorized

The Travel Corporation, TreadRight Foundation Pledge to ‘Make Travel Matter’

Brett Tollman, chief executive officer of The Travel Corporation, commits the company and its 42 brands, and the TreadRight Foundation to “Make Travel Matter” for the planet, people and wildlife © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

On one issue I take exception to the courageous climate activist, Greta Thunberg: travel – even airline travel – is not the enemy of the climate action crusade, travel is its best ally. She may have taken two weeks to sail the Atlantic to reach the United Nations Climate Action Summit, but the thousands of diplomats and heads of state she scolded and shamed into action, could not.

“What would happen if we stopped traveling, stopped flying? Would we save the planet or unleash a global conservation crisis? There would be global conservation crisis,” asserted Costas Christ, chairman of The TreadRight Foundation, a philanthropy created by The Travel Corporation’s 42 brands, to preserve and protect the planet, people and wildlife.

“What would happen if we stopped traveling, stopped flying? Would we save the planet or unleash a global conservation crisis? There would be global conservation crisis,” asserted Costas Christ, chairman of The TreadRight Foundation, a philanthropy created by The Travel Corporation’s 42 brands, to preserve and protect the planet, people and wildlife.
© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Christ, who came out of the Wildlife Conservation Society, pointed to the three great forests on the planet – New Guinea, Amazon Basin, Central African rainforest including Gabon. But in the early 2000s, Gabon’s economy was dependent on mining and timber concessions.

The Wildlife Conservation Society went to Gabon’s president and said, “If you continue mining, cutting trees, the party is over in 50 years, but if put aside area for conservation, travelers will come, alleviate poverty and save the forest – your great grandchildren will be able to make their livelihood here.

“With stroke of Gabon President’s pen, he created 11 national parks, protecting 13 million acres – Travel Matters,” Christ said.  “Travel is the alternative to exploitation – preserve and protect instead of poach and encroach.”

 “If travelers did not go to the African continent, the future would be unrelenting poverty. Travel is hope, conservation.”

Colombia, where The Travel Corporation has introduced new travel programs, is one of the 30 places on the planet which are the “Noah’s Ark of Life,” a biodiversity hot spot harboring one out of 10 species.

 “If we are able to help Colombia protect its natural resources we will protect the second largest biodiverse place on the planet.”

“We make an impact when travel supports conservation, protects wildlife and alleviates poverty. Travel matters when it is planned, managed well, sustainable. Then magic happens – we deliver on our promise to make the world a better place.

It is significant that travel benefits the destinations, but travel also enriches individuals, in a mutually virtuous circle.

What is wanderlust and why do we seek out other places? Christ asks. Marco Polo understood. So did John Steinbeck, who, in his Pulitzer-Prize winning book, wrote:

A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike.

And all plans, safeguards, policies and coercion are fruitless.

We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.

Mark Twain, who actually was a travel writer, wrote in “The Innocents Abroad,” “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

Costas Christ traveled to meet the Dalai Lama, who travels constantly, to ask ‘Why travel?.’ “He said, ‘in ancient Tibetan ‘gropa’ is the word for human being, but the literal meaning is ‘one who goes on migrations.’ We define the essence of being human to travel – to travel is to be human.

“We think of the word ‘progress’ as hitting goals, but to pro-gress is a kind of travel. In Middle English, “progress” means “to go on a seasonal journey” – so success is a journey, success is linked to travel.”

The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created 10 years ago as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of  brands, takes a percentage of profit from 42 companies to make sure goes to projects that make a difference. TreadRight supports 55 projects in 280 communities in 26 countries in three basic categories: planet, people and wildlife.

TTC, a member of the World Travel & Tourism Council, is joining in a commitment for the industry – which accounts for one in 10 jobs around the world and accounts for 10% of the global economy, to become carbon neutral by 2050. TTC will also take steps to eliminate plastics through its supply chain, and reduce carbon emissions.

“We’re committed to be carbon neutral before 2050 and not through carbon offsets. Carbon is what’s destroying climate, not offsets,” Brett Tollman, Chief Executive, The Travel Corporation and Founder, The TreadRight Foundation. said at a reception marking TreadRight’s 10 years.

“We are at an unfortunate tipping point, where unless we careful, this industry will be the poster for all that’s bad,” he said. “We have the opportunity to make change, but we have to be courageous.”

But though travel  – particularly airline travel – does have a carbon cost (until the technologies improve), not traveling would be far worse for the quest of saving the planet and communities from the impacts of climate change and promoting a more just society.

Christ points to places devastated by climate catastrophe that have rebounded because of tourism, communities and cultures destroyed by war and conflict, like Bosnia and Croatia, rebuild and thrive because of the economic support of travel dollars.

For example, working with the Jordan tourism Board, TreadRight supports the Queen Noor Iraq Alamei, a cooperative that employs women as potters and artisans – giving women jobs outside the home but within the village. With TreadRight support, the cooperative built up a gift shop and opened an Air BnB.

New travel programs in Colombia help create a wildlife nursery and install solar panels, while another program in Sierra Nevada, through Trafalgar, creates an opportunity for visitors to be hosted by a family.

“Travel is an incredible gift. It has the ability to open our eyes to the unique cultures and spellbinding beauty of the natural world. But with this gift comes a responsibility – to protect the world as we know it. At TreadRight, our mission is clear; to have a positive impact on the people and communities we visit, to protect wildlife and marine life, and to care for the planet we call home.”

Craig Kielburger, the co-founder of WE charity, explained how Treadright’s family of travel companies is partnering with We.org, which builds schools, promotes sustainable agriculture, brings pure water to communities – to offer programs in which travelers can immerse themselves into that community.

The Travel Corporation and TreadRight Foundation are partnering with Craig Kielburger’s We charity to create Me to We voluntourism trips to places like Kenya © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

In partnership with ME to WE, travelers have the opportunity to visit three iconic destinations: India, the Ecuadorian Amazon and Kenya. In conjunction with TTC, guests can book ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trip extensions on upcoming set departure dates or as a requested custom trip. Travelers  stay among local communities in comfortable lodges, owned and operated by ME to WE. All meals, ground transfers, transportation and local sightseeing excursions hosted by an expert facilitator are included.

You can run with the Masai, help build a school, see what it feels like to have to carry water barrels on your back; stay in a family’s home in Ecuador; in India, visit an elephant rescue preserve instead of riding on one.  (See TreadRight.org site, https://www.TreadRight.org/trips/).

Celine Cousteau, TreadRight ambassador, speaks of the difference between tourists financing the cruel treatment of elephants, versus visiting elephants in a rescue preserve © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“Travel is a privilege,” said Celine Cousteau, a documentary filmmaker and TreadRight Ambassador and storyteller. “Experience places and people, become a part of who they are. Travel fosters profound change. Travelers become storytellers. Traveling on an airplane has a carbon footprint, yes, but the value it brings more than compensates.  Travel is an opportunity to bring a thriving economy, conserve, preserve. Make a choice to do good and if travel, make it count.”

TTC’s ‘Make Travel Matter’ Pledge

TreadRight has made #maketravelmatter its mission and its theme and on this year’s World Tourism Day, made this pledge:

The Travel Corporation (TTC) has just announced its new Make Travel Matter Pledge, in celebration of World Tourism Day. Guided by The TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s family of award-winning  brands,  including  Trafalgar, Uniworld, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Contiki, African Travel, Inc., Lion World Travel, Brendan Vacations and Red Carnation Hotels the pledge serves as the next step in a long standing commitment to sustainable tourism and conscious travel.

“This World Tourism Day, Friday, September 27th, 2019, engaged citizens will examine the positive impact travel has on the globe and TreadRight is making its commitment public to Make Travel Matter,” the company stated.

Inspired by Palau’s First Lady, Debbie Remengesau who introduced the Palau Pledge, every one of TTC’s 10,000 team members and 42 companies worldwide are committing to make travel matter, with its new official pledge standing to help protect people, planet and wildlife. In celebration of World Tourism Day, all members of TTC’s family of brands will use the opportunity to stand up and personally commit to share TreadRight’s ethos as travelers, as travel providers and as members of the global travel industry.

Brett Tollman, chief executive officer of The Travel Corporation, commits the company and its 42 brands, and the TreadRight Foundation to “Make Travel Matter” for the planet, people and wildlife © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“Our Make Travel Matter Pledge is another step on our journey and an impactful one as it further solidifies our commitment to helping protect the destinations we work with, its communities and local wildlife,” Tollman said. “As responsible travelers, TreadRight’s ethos has become part of our company’s DNA and what we stand for, and we share our pledge with our guests as well as partners in hopes they will join us.”

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER PLEDGE

I will make my travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife.

When I explore this planet, I will do my best to TreadRight.

I will refuse single use plastics when I can and recycle what I cannot avoid.

When possible, I will offset my travels.

When I meet new people, I will honor their home as I do my own and do so in the spirit of diversity and inclusion. I will purchase locally made items wherever possible and pay a fair price.

When I experience wildlife, I will do so in nature.

I will not ride animals that ought not be ridden, nor support animal cruelty in any way. 

Together, we will TreadRight upon the earth – and we will make our travel matter.

More information at TreadRight.org. #MakeTravelMatter

For more information about TTC, visit www.ttc.com.

TreadRight is not the only entity that facilitates authentic, transformative, responsible travel experiences – there is a whole travel industry subcategory, many represented by Center for Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.org),  Global Sustainable Tourism Council (gstcouncil.org), Earthcheck (earthcheck.org) and the Rainforest Alliance (https://www.rainforest-alliance.org).

See also:

NYT Travel Show: How to Be a Responsible Traveler… and Why

What I Learned From Traveling Around the World in 23 Days

_____________________________

© 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Benefits of Travel & Tourism, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel, Uncategorized

Devastating Hurricane Dorian Reminds of Vital Link Between Climate Action, Tourism & Sustainable Economy

Tourism creates jobs, provides a sustainable economy that preserves heritage and environment © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

On World Tourism Day 2019, Patricia Affonso-Dass, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association offered this message:

The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all”, is particularly relevant for the Caribbean because no other sector creates more jobs or more opportunities in a wider variety of professions and skills. 

In addition to the 2.5 million people employed directly, many more benefit indirectly from the industry’s contributions to Caribbean health, wealth, education and the environment. Our infrastructure, schools, hospitals, public services, and parks and recreation facilities are all helped by this dynamic and growing industry – already the world’s largest sector but also its fastest growing.

The 2017 hurricanes and Hurricane Dorian that devastated some of our destinations reinforced the indispensable role of tourism in our lives. They remind us that for each tourism employee unable to work because of the storms, many members of their families were also affected.

Initiatives such as “Tourism Jobs for Bahamians”, just launched by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) together with the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), are finding interim jobs for displaced industry professionals.

There will be more jobs as tourism recovers from the hurricanes and the industry resumes its healthy growth trend, and our task is to spread the benefits more equitably to a wider cross section of our people. We want to ensure women, youth, minorities, and the differently abled have open gateways to employment, ownership and leadership within the industry. There are over 1,000 different job and career paths in the industry, a fifth of which are at supervisory and management levels. Increasing diversity always strengthens companies and organizations, especially in tourism. Our visitors come from a wide range of backgrounds, so our people who welcome visitors to our shores should also reflect the full spectrum of our rich human diversity.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, with the support of many of the region’s local associations and our members, is earnest about its mandate to develop our industry’s human resources. Well over 500 Caribbean nationals have received higher education scholarships through the CHTA Education Foundation. More than 1,000 chefs and several hundred bartenders have honed their skills through professional development opportunities that CHTA and the industry have provided through our Taste of the Caribbean initiative. 

Thousands of employees have benefited from industry-sponsored professional development training, including over 500 who attended “diversity in the workplace” courses over the past year. Earlier this year, CHTA launched its Young Leaders Initiative, in which dozens of young people are developing their leadership skills and their understanding of the industry and the opportunities it offers. 

This does not include the additional investments that independent hotels, resort brands, airlines, tour operators, attractions, taxi and transportation providers, vendors and other industry stakeholders, with their human resource professionals and employees, are making every day to deliver exceptional hospitality. 

Building upon a rich foundation, we have the responsibility to make more opportunities to develop our people and our industry, anticipating technological and consumer demand-driven changes which are now a constant. The recent collapse of the world’s oldest travel agency offers more lessons. While never losing sight of the fundamentals of hospitality, the dynamics of our industry demands our adaptability and responsiveness to change if we are not to face a similar fate.

Tourism can benefit every corner of our region and so on this World Tourism Day, we celebrate the importance of the industry and the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities it represents. We resolve individually and collectively, as businesses, governments and education and training institutions, to continue to invest in our people. 

In the Caribbean, “Tourism is Everyone’s Business”.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean’s leading association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism associations. For more than 50 years, CHTA has been the backbone of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 33 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s future and helping members to grow their businesses. Whether helping to navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or, looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is helping members on issues which matter most.

For further information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.

benefits of travel, Eco-friendly resorts and hotels, Environmental Activism, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel, Uncategorized

Four Seasons Resort Nevis Partners with Sea Turtle Conservancy on Research

Four Seasons Resort Nevis sponsors GPS satellite transmitters to support the Sea Turtle Conservancy track the migration patterns of sea turtles that return to Nevis to lay their eggs, and this year, even with the Resort’s ongoing renovation, the research needed to continue. 

NEVIS, WEST INDIES – From June to October, the beaches of Nevis come alive with the scurrying of one of nature’s most beloved animals, the sea turtle. Each year, the partnership between Four Seasons Resort Nevis and the Sea Turtle Conservancy aims to educate and create awareness about the protection of these beautiful sea creatures through a joint program that helps researchers study the migration patterns of the endangered species that nest on Nevis’ beaches.

Four Seasons Resort Nevis sponsors GPS satellite transmitters to support the Sea Turtle Conservancy in tracking the migration patterns of sea turtles that return to Nevis to lay their eggs, and this year, even with the Resort’s ongoing renovation, the research needed to continue.

“This is our 13th year coming to Nevis and conducting research on these beautiful hawksbill sea turtles,” says David Godfrey, Executive Director of the Sea Turtle Conservancy. ”For us, this partnership is more than just the research; it’s an opportunity to be a part of the Nevisian community year after year and see how much they truly value our efforts and being a part of this very important initiative.”

Along with the help of the Nevis Turtle Group and Ignacio Ottley, one of longest standing sea turtle participants from the Resort, the team was able to successfully locate and track two new nesting hawksbill sea turtles on the beaches of Cades Bay, located just 15 minutes from Four Seasons.

As they headed out to the beach in the late evening, no sooner had they spotted the first turtle nesting along the beach. The conservation team began taking notes, measurements, and nesting patterns when another turtle began to make its way up the banks, just a few steps away. And, just like that “Spongie” and “Patches” were cleaned up, tagged and sent back to the ocean.

Just one week before the team came to Nevis, the Nevis Turtle Group was already out looking for turtles when they found “Sundrop” nesting on Jones Bay Beach. Initially tagged in 2016, her return to Nevis shows the thriving population on the island and that the turtles do come back to nest on the same beaches.

Three species of sea turtles nest on the shores of Nevis: the hawksbill, the leatherback, and the green turtle. These majestic creatures journey hundreds of miles each nesting season to return to the same place where they were hatched and, under the glow of the moonlight, lay the next generation of sea turtles that will one day make the same journey. With only 1 in 1,000 to 10,000 baby sea turtles surviving to adulthood, the sea turtle conservation program needs to continue tracking and protecting these animals for future generations.  To follow the tagged sea turtles, visit ConserveTurtles.org.

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Experience 2020 Total Eclipse of Sun in Chile with Lost World Adventures

Four-day Eclipse trip in Chile with daily guided excursions and overnights in luxury Sibley tents for four days/three nights starting at $3150.00 per person.

Lost World Adventures is offering a Four-day Total Eclipse of the Sun trip in Chile with daily guided excursions and overnights in luxury Sibley tents for four days/three nights  starting at $3150.00 per person. 
 
Chile will be privileged once again with another Solar Eclipse that will occur near the city of Pucon in the Chile Lake District on December 14th, 2020. A specially-designed Glamping site will be setup in the area with a 4-day itinerary that will allow guests to explore the different natural and cultural aspects of the Araucania area, home of the Mapuche culture, prior to the Solar Eclipse. 
 
Overnight accommodations are in classic Sibley tents. From an original design dating back to 1856, the Sibley tents provide a luxurious stay in a comfortable environment, to revive the style of the camps that were mounted by European aristocratic travelers. The tents are 220 square feet in area. Made of 100% cotton canvas, they are waterproof with natural breathability. Pre-trip and post-trip options include the Chile Lake District, Torres del Paine National Park, Santiago and the surrounding Wine Region, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island. 
 
Rate:
Price from $3,150.00 per person, based on double occupancy

Includes: 4 days/3 nights
Temuco Airport transfers
Accommodations in Sibley-style tents
All meals including buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guided excursions

Excludes:
International and domestic airfare
Round-trip airfare Santiago-Temuco – $120, per person, based on 2019 fares
 
Web: www.lostworld.com

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Belmond Royal Scotsman Launches Bespoke Excursions

Guests on the Belmond Royal Scotsman can choose to explore the night skies with a private stargazing excursion in the Cairngorms National Park complete with a certified astrologer whilst a late-night picnic is served under the stars, among the new bespoke excursions the luxury sleeper train has introduced.

Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland’s only luxury sleeper train, has introduced bespoke excursions that takes guests off the rails and into the wilds of Scotland. Guests can now tailor their itinerary by choosing from a range of activities including stargazing under some of the darkest skies in Europe, in the Cairngorms; hiking the gorges of Aviemore; canoeing on Loch Ness; clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate or teeing off for golf at some of Scotland’s most famous links courses.

Gary Franklin, Vice President, Trains & Cruises, Belmond comments, “Our guests are increasingly looking to personalize their experience and we hope these options give them the flexibility to see the Scotland of their choice.  The experiences showcase some of the real highlights of Scotland and allow guests to connect with nature through incredible Scottish landscapes. These new experiences appeal to everyone from adrenalin junkies to whisky enthusiasts and we are very excited to be able to offer stargazing.”

AFTER DARK

The Scottish Highlands offers a rich cluster of Dark Sky Discovery sites and is fast becoming one of the best places for stargazing in the world.  Guests can choose to explore the night skies with a private stargazing excursion in the Cairngorms National Park complete with a certified astrologer whilst a late-night picnic is served under the stars.

Ensuring a good night’s sleep, The Bamford Haybarn Spa Car, has introduced a new ‘B-Silent’ Treatment, designed to relax the body and prepare guests for a sound, restful night.

FOR ADRENLINE JUNKIES

For those with an adrenaline streak, activities now on offer include white water rafting, gorge walking in Aviemore, paragliding in Fort William or traditional Scottish outdoor pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting, falconry or quad biking at the famed Rothiemurchus Estate.

Guests can also choose to make the most of the outdoors and the breathtaking Scottish scenery with active excursion options such as guided cycle tours, guided hikes and options for running tours.

FOR WATER BABIES

The lochs of Scotland are an iconic part of the Scottish scenery and there are plenty of water-based activities to choose from for guests with a love of water – from spotting the mythical ‘Loch Ness’ monster on a boat cruise, kayaking in Clachnaharry Works Loch, dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth or a quiet fishing trip on the Atholl Estate in Pitlochry.

SCOTLAND’S BEST GOLF COURSES

Golf enthusiasts can choose to add a round of golf into their itinerary with tee times at Gleneagles, Royal Donorch Golf Club, Castle Stuart Golf Links, and Kingbarns Golf Links.

FOR A WEE DRAM

Scotland is known for its whisky and consequently its distilleries – Belmond Royal Scotsman itself serves over 60 varieties on board.

Those with a taste for the finest malts can choose to visit some of the Highland’s best-known distilleries. Including Glen Ord, one of the oldest in Scotland, Glenlivet Distillery, home of the iconic malt that inspired the Speyside Region; and Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford village where guests can join a tour led by the distillery’s master blender.

Departing from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, Belmond Royal Scotsman travels on circular routes through the heart of the Highlands. With only 40 passengers on board, the train replicates a ‘Country House on Wheels’ and has two, three- or four-night itineraries. 

To book or for more information visit Belmond.com or call 0845 077 2222.

Excursion options vary depending on the route the train takes. Prices vary per excursion option and will be given upon booking.

A full list of excursions can be found here: https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/scotland/belmond-royal-scotsman/activities

Video link can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lF7i1BxBpM  

For more information, please contact Alice Marshall Public Relations at [email protected].

Belmond Ltd., part of the world’s leading luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has been a pioneer of luxury travel for more than 40 years, building a passion for authentic escapes into a portfolio of one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. 

Since the acquisition of the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has continued to push industry boundaries, taking discerning global travelers on surprising and unforgettable journeys spanning land, water, adventure and relaxation, with international acclaim. The portfolio of 46 properties extends across 24 countries, encompassing three luxury safari lodges, two river cruises, seven luxury trains, including the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and the legendary ‘21’ restaurant in New York. From historic city landmarks like Belmond Cadogan Hotel and Belmond Copacabana Palace to hidden retreats at Belmond Cap Juluca and Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor, each incomparable property has its own timeless story to tell, yet the hallmarks of the brand thread through them all: heritage, craftsmanship, and a reputation for genuine, unscripted service in an unrivalled location create exceptional experiences that stir the soul. www.belmond.com. 

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Top Luxury Hotels for Animal Lovers

The Woof cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin are designated for guests traveling with pets.

Here are some of the best luxury accommodations to bring your pet or see animals around the world:

To bring your pet…

NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

·         The Woof Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin are designated for guests traveling with pets. Pups are welcomed with Draper Canine beds, a basket of treats and toys, food and water bowls, dog-walking services, and personalized pet tags. For tips on the best dog-friendly activities on Nantucket, guests can email Bailey, the WOOF Cottages’ resident Black Lab/Britney Spaniel mix and pet concierge at [email protected].

·         For fashionistas and theater buffs alike, Chatwal’s ‘Pet Wardrobe Supervisor’ can curate a personalized pet closet for its ViPets with a Chatwal-red faux fur pet jacket, booties, bowtie, and a neck bandana. In-room amenities include a NYC yellow cab plush toy, a doggie treats menu printed as a Playbill, Chatwal-red food and water bowls and pet bed, plus a VIPet Tag.

·         After a Mayan blessing by resident Shaman rids Fido of his anxiety, Viceroy Riviera Maya gives each pet his own handmade, portable pet palapa – complete with a personalized menu of made-to-order meals.

·         Cab-Bone-Nay or Char-Dog-Nay dog biscuits (made with real wine) and a special blanket greet pets at Napa River Inn. At the spa, they receive a dog walk, dog cookie, and mini massage.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

·         In Lima, Belmond Miraflores Park welcomes its four-legged guests with a special letter from the hotel’s resident pup, Sariri.

EUROPE

·         In Portofino, Belmond Hotel Splendido offers curated wellbeing sessions where trained pet therapists will practice Swedish massage in an open-air space overlooking Portofino Bay.

·         Home to the city’s largest spa, La Reserve Geneva caters to guests and their pups. Dogs at La Reserve receive bowls personalized with their name and monogrammed blankets.

·         Set in the Oxford countryside, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons has plenty of land for curious pets to explore before retiring back to the room with all-day doggy room service.

To see animals in their natural habitat…

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

·         With the opening of Nayara Tented Camp in December 2019, the Sloth Sanctuary at the Nayara sister properties – that is currently a haven to more than 15 of Costa Rica’s native sloths – will expand as part of Nayara’s reforestation project. This undertaking will bring in 40,000 indigenous trees, including Cecropia trees, which are the main food source of sloths. Nayara’s expert nature guides are beginning to see more baby sloths, a sure sign that the animals are reproducing at Nayara and are likely to stick around.

·         Often seen roaming freely across the front lawn, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado invites guests to care for and bottle feed the baby alpacas. Prized for their hair which is woven into blankets, hats, and sweaters, the resort cares for the youngsters until early adulthood when they are returned to local communities in exchange for the next generation of crias.

EUROPE

·         Families traveling to Cork can book the ‘Family Fun at The River Lee’ package and receive a turndown of milk and cookies, activity pack, and a trip to Rumleys Open Farm – kids can get up close to all kinds of baby animals including tiny chicks, lambs, bunnies, puppies, piglets, llamas, and more.

AFRICA

·         At andBeyond Mnemba Island off the coast of Zanzibar, Green Turtle nesting season is year-round, peaking in February and March. The turtles lay their eggs on the beach and in September and October, baby turtles emerge into the world. With only 10 thatched roof bandas on the island, guests can watch the tiny hatchlings make their descent into to the water without a crowd.

·         Travelers on andBeyond’s Gorilla Tracking Safari in Rwanda can get up close to families of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Hiking the forested slopes of the Virungas Volcanoes, guests set out in search of the world’s largest population of wild mountain gorillas – including the littlest members of the family and their childlike antics.

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Family Travel: Hotels to Excite the Next Generation of Global Citizens

Families staying at the White Elephant on Nantucket harbor can ride through town on the hotel’s complimentary Priority Bicycles before retiring for the night with an in-room camp-out, complete with teepees and faux, indoor campfires.

From a safari in Kenya to a sailing camp in Geneva, here are top lodging picks for the next family getaway.

NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Long-immersed in the glamour of New York’s world-renowned theater productions, The Chatwal invites its littlest guests to reenact their favorite theater moments thanks to the new in-room ‘Dressing Room’ trunk. The steamer trunk is filled with accessories to transform little ones into character, including Elsa’s tiara, the Aladdin-inspired magic carpet and genie lamp, and Harry Potter’s signature glasses and wand.

  • Recommended Room: The one-bedroom suite collection puts families’ needs first: the renovated bedrooms include a spacious living area with a custom-designed queen-size murphy bed and an in-room kitchenette opening out to a spacious terrace.

With more than 10 beaches, some with little to no waves, 30 miles of flat biking trails, and a charming, walkable downtown with cobblestone streets and kid appropriate museums, Nantucket makes for an unforgettable family getaway. Families staying at the White Elephant on Nantucket harbor can ride through town on the hotel’s complimentary Priority Bicycles before retiring for the night with an in-room camp-out, complete with teepees and faux, indoor campfires.

  • Recommended Room: Guests who book either of the White Elephant’s in-town three-bedroom lofts, Easy Street or Loft at 32 Main, receive the keys to a BMW hybrid for the duration of their stay, making it easy to get around the island with the family.

While famous for wine, Napa Valley has plenty to offer families. Favorite activities include: a stop at one of the largest “playgrounds” at Bothe Napa Valley State Park, home to swimming holes and hiking trails; a tour of the Castello di Amorosa, a 13th-century Tuscan castle, reached via a Gondola ride (grape juice included); and di Rosa art museum where children can participate in activities including portrait painting and sculpture classes.

  • Recommended Room: Set among 250-acres of rolling hills in St. Helena, Meadowood’s Hillside Lodges can be arranged anywhere from one to four bedrooms, accommodating families of all sizes. The lodge is complete with a spacious living room including a stone fireplace, kitchen, and French doors leading out to a private balcony and views of the resort’s wooded hillsides.

Families staying at Jamaica’s GoldenEye can opt for an active day of paddle boarding and kayaking on the property’s calm lagoon or a guided snorkeling excursion through the turquoise Oracabessa Bay, home to 2,000 pieces of coral in shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange. Kids can join Ramsey Dacosta, Ian Fleming’s former gardener who still works on the property, for coconut carving and nature walks. Daily complimentary kid’s yoga is also available.

  • Recommended Room: The five-bedroom Fleming Villa is the site where all 14 James Bond novels were penned. Families will enjoy dinner in his sunken garden where Fleming used to entertain the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Noel Coward.The grounds are home to a private beach, pool, and movie screening room.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

At Nayara Gardens, after a day out ziplining or playing in a waterfall, kids can spend time in the sloth sanctuary and get a close look at the sedentary Costa Rican native.

  • Recommended Room: The 1,135-square-foot Rainforest Villa features a wraparound terrace with a jacuzzi, colorful hammock, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Coming soon: sister resort Nayara Tented Camp will open on December 19, 2019 offering interconnecting luxury tents overlooking the Arenal Volcano for multi-generational travelers.

At UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa in Trancoso, Brazil, kids can learn the ancient art of capoeira, a traditional Bahian sport that blends martial arts, acrobatics, and dance at the local school sponsored by UXUA. Guests are invited to either train privately in the hotel’s studio, or side by side with over 65 local children and young adults at the Casa da Cultura (Cultural Center).  

  • Recommended Room: The restored three-bedroom Zé e Zilda is named for its former inhabitants – local Bahians and parents who raised their family in this very casa. Ideal for families traveling with teenagers, the main house is separated from the third garden suite by a private patio and flowering pergola.

EUROPE

For families staying in a Studio Suite and above, The Kensingtonconcierge teamwill set up a teepeein the room so little ones can take to adventure no matter the weather. At turndown, kids receive their own lantern, milk, and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

  • Recommended Room: Families seeking a truly ‘royal’ experience can stay in the three-bedroom Knightsbridge Suite where an in-room afternoon tea can be served in-suite or out on the balcony. Families can enjoy two decorative fireplaces, gaze out over London with floor-to-ceiling windows, and have the run of the Jacuzzi in the marble bathroom.

It’s no parents allowed at La Petite Réserve at La Réserve Geneva, where a trained staff oversees children ages six-months to 13-years.  The kid’s club occupies a treehouse complete with game tables, an obstacle course, a suspension bridge, and a fireman’s pole. During the summer season children can participate in tennis and sailing camps.

  • Recommended Room: The Junior Suite Terrace with its king bedroom and separate living room can accommodate two adults and two little ones and can be connected to another Junior Suite for those looking for even more space. Plus, guests have their own front yard in the form of a private terrace looking out onto the park and lake.

AFRICA

andBeyond’s new Bateleur Camp, just reopened in March 2018 on Kenya’s Masai Mara, is offering their fun and educational WILDchild program for the smallest safari-goers. Kids can learn to identify animal tracks and droppings, learn to build a fire the Maasai way, and play some fun games and activities while learning about conservation and the role they can play in protecting the world’s fauna.

  • Recommended Room: The camp’s Family Tent consisting of two interconnected tents with ensuite bathrooms and private verandas accommodate two adults and up to three children. The old explorer maps wallpapering the interior of the tents are sure to inspire an adventurous spirit in all.

Royal Mansour turns little ones into global citizens with itsKid’s Club, complete with Moroccan art activities, Arabic lessons, and a complimentary children’s book following Lila, a young girl exploring the hotel’s winding passageways and gardens. The hotel also offers a hands-on chocolate making experience for children in their on-site Chocolate Laboratory, allowing kids to taste-test their creations.

  • Recommended Room: Modeled after traditional Moroccan homes, each of the three-story riads are complete with a lounge, living room, dining room, and private rooftop terrace with plunge pool. The two-bedroom Privilege riads are ideal for families sitting across 4,300 square feet with dedicated butler service.

ASIA

Budding botanist? Future Michelin-starred chef? Belmond Napasai in Koh Samui lets young travelers indulge their career aspirations with the “My First Job” program. Guests can join the hotel’s head chef in the kitchen to create chocolate roses, or blend local papaya and coconut juices with the bartender for a delicious mocktail. Kids can also learn the art of Thai dance from a local expert.

  • Recommended Room: Situated among 17 acres of tropical gardens, Belmond Napasai offers a secluded retreat for the whole family with a collection of standalone residences overlooking Baan Tai beach. These oceanfront, multi-level private homes range from one- to four-bedrooms and feature their own pool, massage sala, and direct beach access.

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New Floating Arctic Bath Hotel & Spa Now Taking Reservations for 2020

Travel experts Off the Map Travel and the team behind the famous Treehotel in Sweden are accepting reservations for travel to the floating hotel and spa, Arctic Bath, between February 2020 and February 2021

(Lulea, SWEDEN)  After an extensive planning and construction period, the long-awaited Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa is now receiving bookings. Travel experts Off the Map Travel and the team behind the famous Treehotel in Sweden are accepting reservations for travel to the floating hotel and spa, Arctic Bath, between February 2020 and February 2021. The Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa, designed by architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kaupp, freezes into the Lule River in the winter and floats on top of the water in the summer. The Arctic Bath and Spa offers wellness, mindfulness and cleansing treatments through spa partners Kerstin Florian. The new hotel and spa is located in Lulea in Swedish Lapland.

The Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa offers a distinctive experience with a stay in the Hotel, comprised of six detached floating “cabins” and six additional cabins on land, plus the Arctic Bath inspired by the timber floating era which recalls how felled trees were transported downriver for processing. Both the spa and the rooms float on or are frozen into the water, depending on the season. The spa complex and cabins float on waters ranging from 6.5 to 14 feet deep and are connected by floating walkways. With an eye to sustainability, the Arctic Bath leaves a minimal environmental footprint.

The Arctic Bath’s approach to wellness is based on four elements: proper nutrition, regular exercise, peace of mind, and the care of face and body. These are reflected through menus, snacks and smoothies focusing on clean, local ingredients; the encouragement of exercise through a variety of activities; working with affirmation cards, mindfulness and meditation; and the Arctic Bath’s proprietary spa treatments. Guests at the floating hotel and spa will experience the wellness benefits of alternating cold-water and hot-water dips and sauna, yoga, meditation, and cleansing sessions such as crystal healing. Each moment is designed to bring relaxation, refreshment and clarity. There are no ambient distractions or light pollution. Colors are chosen for their color therapy benefits, and surrounding materials are organic and local. Both summer and winter spa experiences will be offered.

The circular-shaped Arctic Bath houses one spa treatment room, four saunas, an outside cold bath, a hot bath, outdoor and indoor showers, and two dressing rooms. The open center of the bath invites guests to sunbathe, ice bathe or sit back to view the Northern Lights or star-filled skies. A dip in the bath itself is consistent with the Arctic tradition of a cold-water plunge with the water maintained at 39 degrees Fahrenheit and combines well with the warmth of a sauna and spa. A special technique has been developed to keep the center of the bath open during wintertime, adding to the drama of the setting and the guest experience.

“The opening of the Arctic Bath has been eagerly anticipated over the last year ever since plans were first announced,” commented Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “The serenity of the location combined with this distinctive wellness experience makes this a first in the travel world,” he continued.

While all Off the Map Travel itineraries are customizable to meet travelers’ interests and needs, a sample 3-day Off the Map Travel/Arctic Bath itinerary including the Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa features accommodations in a floating cabin, breakfast daily, nightly five-course dinner, a guided Northern Lights hunt, transfers and spa access is priced starting at £3995 (or $5040 USD at the time of this writing) per person, based on double occupancy. Flights are additional. Families are welcome, and childcare will be available. Summer and winter itineraries are available. To book an adventure to experience the Arctic Bath, contact Off the Map Travel via email [email protected] or by phone in the US on 1-646-701-0041, or in the UK on +44 203 504 6446. https://www.offthemap.travel/arctic-bath/

“The Arctic Bath really is a first – it’s a special spa experience,” adds AnnKathrin Lundqvist from the Arctic Bath team. “So much thought, engineering and ingenuity have come together to provide visitors with an experience they can’t find anywhere else. We’re excited to welcome our first guests and to work with Off the Map Travel in the creation of this newest, luxurious Arctic holiday.”

The Arctic Bath project was developed by Kent Lindvall, Per Anders Eriksson, Robert Lundqvist, Patrik Jonsson and AnnKathrin Lundqvist. The project grew out of the opening days of the Treehotel in Harads, Sweden when developers envisioned taking the wood concept from the air to the water as well. Specialist design architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi, both of Sweden, translated the concept into design, utilizing their background of minimalist furniture and building design. The design of the spa and hotel is not only striking in its look but also in its creation with the highest environmental standards in mind, using local materials and leaving a minimal to zero-impact on the environment.

Off the Map Travel is a team of travel experts who work with experiences and destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of the world. Specializing in soft adventure and viewing of the Northern Lights, Off the Map Travel creates tailor-made itineraries that offer a distinctive vacation based on first-hand experience. Off the Map Travel vacations anticipate travelers’ needs with pre-planning and customization. Each bespoke itinerary is tailored to the ages of participants, creating experiences for families, groups, couples and singles that are comfortable and luxurious, with activity levels appropriate for all participants. www.offthemap.travel

For more information on the Arctic Bath or on tailor-made Off the Map Travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel; call 1-646-701-0041 (US) or +44 203 405 5446; email [email protected] or join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or Pinterest

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New! Romance for Two, Northern Lights and Glamping Holiday in Swedish Lapland

What could be more romantic than a winter overnight glamping exclusively for two underneath the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland

(Luleå, SWEDEN) A tempting combination of romance and adventure is offered this winter in Off the Map Travel’s new “Sleep beneath the Stars” program in Swedish Lapland. With this new itinerary, two guests stay all alone at a NEW remote glamping site to experience the Lapland wilderness, perfect for spotting the Northern Lights.

The exclusive holiday is for two people only and includes a private sky-searching experience, a private dinner at the two-person Aurora Hideaway restaurant on skis, private snowmobiling and snowshoeing, and sleeping in a yurt on the edge of the frozen Bothnian Sea at your own private glamping site. 

Guests are encouraged to rekindle both their romance and their sense of adventure as they experience the winter in Swedish Lapland as a couple. The program begins with check-in at the Pine Bay Lodge, a homey red cottage-style lodge on the Luleå archipelago in Northern Sweden. A guided astronomy experience for two sets the tone combining a search for the Northern Lights with an exploration of the myriad constellations in the area’s strikingly dark skies.

The following day, a snowmobiling tour for two travels through snowy forests surrounding the archipelago followed by an al fresco lunch with Swedish and Lappish specialties like reindeer and arctic char. 

The program moves to a private glamping camp for two where you’ll stay in a luxurious Arctic yurt, kitted out with a wood-burning stove and comfy bed coverings perfect for cozying up to the sounds of complete silence and the smells of fresh air, all while awaiting the Northern Lights.

The evening’s meal is a true highlight. Following a short snowmobile ride into the wilderness you’ll dine in the Aurora Hideaway restaurant on skis, a haven for two people on the frozen sea, where candles and tea lights indoors complement starlight from outside. The restaurant is mobile, allowing relocation for optimal sky viewing and environmental placement.

Your guide will prepare a three-course Lappish meal, cooked outdoors over birch wood.  While you’re waiting, you can strap on a pair of snowshoes for a quick walk to look at the stars. After a post-dinner sauna in the sauna cabin at your glamping campsite, relaxation is ensured as you return to your warm yurt and snuggle into the comfortable bed covered with high-quality linens and reindeer skins.

Daylight arrives slowly with the hushed sounds of the frozen sea to wake you. After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Pine Bay where you can spend the balance of the day absorbing the beauty of the wilderness setting and trying out some other outdoor activities.

Because the program is arranged for two people only, advance booking is required.

“We’ve created this program for the lovers out there, who are indeed looking for an exclusive program that they can call their own. There’s no light pollution, no noise distractions, and no other participants – it’s, in effect, your own private holiday,” noted Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel.

Off the Map Travel’s “Sleep beneath the Stars program is offered from December 15, 2019 through April 15, 2020. While the itinerary can be tailored to each guest, an example five-night, four-day itinerary with Off the Map Travel (www.offthemap.travel) is priced from $2496 USD per person (at the time of this writing). Included are all meals including one dinner in the restaurant on skis, transfers, accommodations at the Pine Bay Lodge and glamping Yurt, snowmobiling, and a stargazing exploration. Flights are additional.  https://www.offthemap.travel/sleep-beneath-the-stars/

Off the Map Travel is a team of travel experts who work with experiences and destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of the world. Specializing in soft adventure and viewing of the Northern Lights, Off the Map Travel creates tailor-made itineraries that offer a distinctive vacation based on first-hand experience. Off the Map Travel vacations anticipate travelers’ needs with pre-planning and customization. Each bespoke itinerary is tailored to the ages of participants, creating experiences for families, groups, couples and singles that are comfortable and luxurious, with activity levels appropriate for all participants. www.offthemap.travel

For more information on tailor-made Off the Map Travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel; call 1-646-701-0041; email [email protected] or join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or Pinterest

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Moab Guided Day Trip Activities Soar with Increased Tourism, Technology

Jeep rentals, private Hummer tours are among the activities that can be booked through Moab Adventure Center.

MOAB, UT– The population of America’s red rock playground, Moab Utah, in winter hovers at just over 5,000 residents. Spring through fall, however, is a different story.
 
There are some 2.4 million guests visiting the region when temperatures are most inviting. They come to witness the spectacles of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and to immerse themselves in the air, land and water adventures that have put Moab squarely on the tourist map.
 
The go-to hub for many visitors is the Moab Adventure Center that in 2019 is experiencing a nearly 25 percent uptick in advance reservations for day or half-day adventures. Moab Adventure Center can make arrangements for everything there is to do here, from hot air ballooning and overland Hummer safaris to flightseeing, canyoneering and river rafting.
 
“We’ve been experiencing growth ever since we opened our doors nearly two decades ago,” said Brandon Lake, CMO. One strategy that has paid off is an ongoing collaboration with RESMARK Systems that services local and far-flung vendors in the recreation industry with tour booking software that provide state-of-art reservation and sales technology. As a result, Moab Adventure Center today may well be one of the most tech-astute companies in the country.
 
Recently, Moab Adventure Center adapted Resmark Systems’ TrueConnect platform, resulting in a nearly 120 percent surge in reservations from third-party, off-site bookings. These are other subcontractors and companies using the RESMARK platform and who, through TrueConnect, can now access real-time inventory for all of Moab Adventure Center’s offerings.
 
“TrueConnect is helping many local businesses in the tourist sector provide, through Moab Adventure Center, products that represent the best possible adventure experience for guests to the Moab area,” Lake said.
 
Lake points to other factors that have led to the robust sales they have seen in the first half of 2019: the local and state tourism boards’ aggressive marketing; increased lodging capacity with additions of new accommodations including popular hotel brands such as Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton; and not to be overlooked, America’s continued love affair with its national parks. All have added incrementally to this surge.
 
Among the most dramatic booking increases over last year are: 

Other popular day activities include jeep rentals, visiting the new Dinosaur Park and standup paddle boarding.
 
“Moab Adventure Center’s digital activities menu provides options for the most active to slower-paced members of a family or group,” added Lake.
 
While some tour booking applications feature a marketplace that connects suppliers and resellers, or even their own exclusive marketplace, RESMARK’s TrueConnect takes this to a whole new level. Central to RESMARK’s core architecture, TrueConnect allows tour resellers to create their own network, tailoring their tour mix perfectly to their target customers within their unique region. It’s like becoming the Amazon of travel for any given part of the world. You can even customize tour marketing details and pricing via each distribution channel. This results in more tour sales, both self-operated and subcontracted through partners.
 
Moab Adventure Center is at the epicenter of nature-themed adventure, promising activities that include rafting, jet boating, stand up paddle boarding, hiking, mountain biking and hot air ballooning. Hummer safaris, rock climbing, canyoneering and horseback riding are popular. Many of these activities are conducted with guides, an arrangement that helps preclude the kind of damage to the land that can happen when uneducated visitors venture into areas where they shouldn’t be. Guides help people understand where they can move through back country with the least impact possible.
 
Moab Adventure Center is a division of Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab and Fredonia, AZ. The company is the largest single tour provider in Moab, Utah. The Moab Adventure Center is located at 225 South Main St., Moab, UT 84532. For information and reservations please call (435) 259-7019 or (866) 904-1163. The center also has a 2,000-square-foot retail space selling adventure related gear, clothing, maps and souvenirs.

 
Follow Moab Adventure Center:
On Facebook:           http://www.facebook.com/MoabAdventureCenter
On Twitter:                 https://twitter.com/MoabAdventure
On You Tube:            http://www.youtube.com/user/moabadventurecenter
On Pinterest:             https://www.pinterest.com/moabadventure/
On Instagram:           https://www.instagram.com/moabadventurecenter/
Website:                    http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/

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