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Vol. 2, No. 7 July 2004


Sustainable Travel Report
The Responsible Tourism e-Newsletter


In this issue you will find:
1. Message from STI President, Brian T. Mullis
2. Member Benefits: Japan Ecolodge Association
3. Conservation in the Galapagos
4. Featured Tourism Provider: Mafia Island Marine Park
5. Travelers' Philanthropy: African Propoor Tourism Development Centre
6. Adventures in Travel Expos

----------------------------------------------------------------

Message from STI President, Brian T. Mullis

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the individuals and organizations who participated in the Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™ (STEP) Pilot Test. With participants from over 20 countries, the response has been overwhelming. And we want to thank everyone who took some time to share their insights and feedback!

The STEP Pilot Test will be available for public comment through July. However, we are now in the process of assessing the results and making final modifications to the program. And we plan to release the program within the U.S. travel and tourism market place later this year, with added improvements and an extremely user friendly format.

If you have any questions, please email me or call our office at 800-276-7764.

Eco regards,

Brian T. Mullis
President
brianm@sustainabletravel.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Member Benefits: Japan Ecolodge Association

The Japan Ecolodge Association (JELA) is dedicated to establishing a network of eco-lodges in Japan and beyond. JELA works with local travel agencies to organize package tours for Japanese eco-tourists to their partner eco-lodges overseas. They also encourage inbound tourists to stay at their member eco-lodges and participate in eco-tours throughout the country.

Eco-lodge members of STI are now qualified for complimentary "overseas eco-lodge partner" benefits from JELA including overseas eco-lodge partner links listings, marketing and promotions to responsible tourists in Japan, translation of partner eco-lodge web sites into Japanese, and inclusion in JELA's digital newsletter. For more information, please visit JELA's web site or contact Masaru Takayama, JELA's Director.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Conservation in the Galapagos

Earlier this year three Galápagos National Park workers, sponsored by the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) and Wild Aid, cleaned up Academy Bay, Puerto Ayora in the Galápagos' Santa Cruz Island. They collected 167 kg of plastics, 651 kg of glass, 1553 kg of rubber, 1320 kg of metal, 9 kg of wood and 5 kg of cloth, totalling 3705 kg or 8168 pounds of waste.

IGTOA members are tour companies and other organizations that seek the complete and lasting protection of the Galápagos marine and terrestrial ecosystems and all of its endemic species. Their mission is to preserve the Galápagos Islands as a unique World Heritage Site that can provide education, adventure, and inspiration to future generations of travelers. If you're thinking about visiting Galápagos, please visit IGTOA's web site and contact an IGTOA member for assistance in planning your trip.

The Rainforest Alliance, in collaboration with Ecuador-based Conservación y Desarrollo (C&D), is also working toward conserving the Galápagos, having developed the SmartVoyager. Designed for tour boat operators in the Galapagos Islands, this eco-label is awarded to companies who meet strict conservation standards for environmental and wildlife protection as well as support the well-being of workers and local communities.

The SmartVoyager seal of certification gives travelers to the Galápagos assurance that they are traveling with an operator who cares about the conservation of the islands and has taken every measure to ensure that passengers enjoy a memorable and educational adventure without harming local and flora.

Since December 2000, the Rainforest Alliance and C&D have evaluated and certified five of the 20 large tour vessels that travel through the Galápagos Islands. For more information, contact the Rainforest Alliance.

Contributed in part by Beth Conway of Adventure Life Journeys

---------------------------------------------------------------

Featured Tourism Provider
Mafia Island Marine Park

Since the sixties, Tanzania has been known for having a conservation policy for protecting terrestrial ecosystems. In 1994, an important law was passed to protect marine ecosystems in the country. With the support of the WWF, in 1995, the Mafia Island marine park (MIMP) was established as the country's first marine park.

The most important difference between MIMP and the country's other parks is the choice of a participatory approach. Local communities have not been relocated, as has happened in the past, but instead considered a fundamental stakeholder in this important conservation project.

Not suprisingly, eco-tourism has been identified by policy makers as one possible solution to reduce the non-sustainable utilization of the marine resources by the region's growing population. Four tourist resorts have been built within the Archipelago, and Mafia Island is slowly becoming an important eco-destination. More importantly, the local population is benefiting from employment and the increase of local economic activity.

The Mafia Island Sustainable Aid and Development Agency Trust Fund was conceived in 1998 with the support of Pole Pole Resort and registered in 2000 to support community-based projects. The Trust is dedicated to ensuring that local communities benefit from eco-tourism development. For example, through private fundraising from Pole Pole resort and responsible travelers among others, a primary school has been built in the Village of Utende, heart of the MIMP.

Since 1998, the Trust has also provided local children in need with education and health assistance through distant adoption. Other ongoing projects of the Trust include a nursery and a multipurpose youth center, which are operated through Community Committees.

The approach chosen in MIMP is bottom up: the community creates its own priorities, and if they meet Trust guidelines, they become projects that are implemented through Community Committees with technical support and funds provided by the Trust.

MIMP is a great example of a successful story of how partnerships between the governemnt, NGOs, private companies and responsible travelers can work together to improve the well-being of local communities.

This project is backed by the WWF, which contributes human and financial resources for its development and maintenance.

Contributed by Katia Palazzo

---------------------------------------------------------------

Travelers' Philanthropy:
African Propoor Tourism Development Centre

African Propoor Tourism Development Centre (APTDC) is a registered charitable organization that uses community-based tourism as a tool to address various social problems including human-wildlife conflict, youth unemployment, and poverty and gender inequality.

In fact, since its inception two years ago, APTDC has helped to alleviate poverty in Kenya, providing a source of livelihood for more than 300 people through education, training and the creation of jobs. APTDC's approach has also benefited tourists visiting Kenya, the Kenyan Government, non-governmental organizations, Kenya-based tourism providers, and training institutions.

For continued success, APTDC relies on generous contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. They believe that philanthropy is a shared responsibility and an opportunity to make a difference in the world. And they view each supporter of the Centre as equal partners.

To learn more about how you can support the APTDC, please visit their web site or email the Centre.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Adventures in Travel Expos

Join STI at the Adventures in Travel Expo on October 9 -10, 2004! Over 500 worldwide exhibitors will present the best in adventure, cultural, and responsible travel at the San Mateo County Expo Center in San Francisco, California. Highlights include:

  • More than 40 compelling seminars and workshops;
  • Personal appearances and book signings by well-known authors and adventurers;
  • World music at the Global Beats stage;
  • Practical demonstrations by outfitters and leading National Geographic Adventure photographers;
  • On the floor activities such as scuba and kayaking pool, rock climbing wall and adventure course;
  • Great prizes and "show only" special offers;
  • Reality show auditions and nonstop action!

This is one show that will be an unforgettable experience that you don't want to miss! For more information, visit www.adventureexpo.com or contact us.

---------------------------------------------------------------

STI Outreach

Over 4,500 responsible travelers, travel companies, governmental agencies, and conservation-based organizations receive the Sustainable Travel Report each month. Please help us to expand our outreach by telling your friends about STI.
---------------------------------------------------------------

For More Information

Please visit our web site, email or call 800-276-7764. If you want to spread the word about sustainable travel and tourism, link to us!

Should you not wish to receive this and other information from Sustainable Travel International, simply reply to this message with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL P.O. BOX 1313 BOULDER COLORADO 80306

PHONE 800-276-7764
EMAIL info@sustainabletravel.com
BUSINESS HOURS: 8am-5pm MST
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Sustainable Travel Report
The Responsible Tourism e-Newsletter


In this issue you will find:
1. Message from STI President, Brian T. Mullis
2. Member Benefits: Japan Ecolodge Association
3. Conservation in the Galapagos
4. Featured Tourism Provider: Mafia Island Marine Park
5. Travelers' Philanthropy: African Propoor Tourism Development Centre
6. Adventures in Travel Expos

----------------------------------------------------------------

Message from STI President, Brian T. Mullis

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the individuals and organizations who participated in the Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™ (STEP) Pilot Test. With participants from over 20 countries, the response has been overwhelming. And we want to thank everyone who took some time to share their insights and feedback!

The STEP Pilot Test will be available for public comment through July. However, we are now in the process of assessing the results and making final modifications to the program. And we plan to release the program within the U.S. travel and tourism market place later this year, with added improvements and an extremely user friendly format.

If you have any questions, please email me or call our office at 720-273-2975.

Eco regards,

Brian T. Mullis
President
brianm@sustainabletravel.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Member Benefits: Japan Ecolodge Association

The Japan Ecolodge Association (JELA) is dedicated to establishing a network of eco-lodges in Japan and beyond. JELA works with local travel agencies to organize package tours for Japanese eco-tourists to their partner eco-lodges overseas. They also encourage inbound tourists to stay at their member eco-lodges and participate in eco-tours throughout the country.

Eco-lodge members of STI are now qualified for complimentary "overseas eco-lodge partner" benefits from JELA including overseas eco-lodge partner links listings, marketing and promotions to responsible tourists in Japan, translation of partner eco-lodge web sites into Japanese, and inclusion in JELA's digital newsletter. For more information, please visit JELA's web site or contact Masaru Takayama, JELA's Director.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Conservation in the Galapagos

Earlier this year three Galápagos National Park workers, sponsored by the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) and Wild Aid, cleaned up Academy Bay, Puerto Ayora in the Galápagos' Santa Cruz Island. They collected 167 kg of plastics, 651 kg of glass, 1553 kg of rubber, 1320 kg of metal, 9 kg of wood and 5 kg of cloth, totalling 3705 kg or 8168 pounds of waste.

IGTOA members are tour companies and other organizations that seek the complete and lasting protection of the Galápagos marine and terrestrial ecosystems and all of its endemic species. Their mission is to preserve the Galápagos Islands as a unique World Heritage Site that can provide education, adventure, and inspiration to future generations of travelers. If you're thinking about visiting Galápagos, please visit IGTOA's web site and contact an IGTOA member for assistance in planning your trip.

The Rainforest Alliance, in collaboration with Ecuador-based Conservación y Desarrollo (C&D), is also working toward conserving the Galápagos, having developed the SmartVoyager. Designed for tour boat operators in the Galapagos Islands, this eco-label is awarded to companies who meet strict conservation standards for environmental and wildlife protection as well as support the well-being of workers and local communities.

The SmartVoyager seal of certification gives travelers to the Galápagos assurance that they are traveling with an operator who cares about the conservation of the islands and has taken every measure to ensure that passengers enjoy a memorable and educational adventure without harming local and flora.

Since December 2000, the Rainforest Alliance and C&D have evaluated and certified five of the 20 large tour vessels that travel through the Galápagos Islands. For more information, contact the Rainforest Alliance.

Contributed in part by Beth Conway of Adventure Life Journeys

---------------------------------------------------------------

Featured Tourism Provider
Mafia Island Marine Park

Since the sixties, Tanzania has been known for having a conservation policy for protecting terrestrial ecosystems. In 1994, an important law was passed to protect marine ecosystems in the country. With the support of the WWF, in 1995, the Mafia Island marine park (MIMP) was established as the country's first marine park.

The most important difference between MIMP and the country's other parks is the choice of a participatory approach. Local communities have not been relocated, as has happened in the past, but instead considered a fundamental stakeholder in this important conservation project.

Not suprisingly, eco-tourism has been identified by policy makers as one possible solution to reduce the non-sustainable utilization of the marine resources by the region's growing population. Four tourist resorts have been built within the Archipelago, and Mafia Island is slowly becoming an important eco-destination. More importantly, the local population is benefiting from employment and the increase of local economic activity.

The Mafia Island Sustainable Aid and Development Agency Trust Fund was conceived in 1998 with the support of Pole Pole Resort and registered in 2000 to support community-based projects. The Trust is dedicated to ensuring that local communities benefit from eco-tourism development. For example, through private fundraising from Pole Pole resort and responsible travelers among others, a primary school has been built in the Village of Utende, heart of the MIMP.

Since 1998, the Trust has also provided local children in need with education and health assistance through distant adoption. Other ongoing projects of the Trust include a nursery and a multipurpose youth center, which are operated through Community Committees.

The approach chosen in MIMP is bottom up: the community creates its own priorities, and if they meet Trust guidelines, they become projects that are implemented through Community Committees with technical support and funds provided by the Trust.

MIMP is a great example of a successful story of how partnerships between the governemnt, NGOs, private companies and responsible travelers can work together to improve the well-being of local communities.

This project is backed by the WWF, which contributes human and financial resources for its development and maintenance.

Contributed by Katia Palazzo

---------------------------------------------------------------

Travelers' Philanthropy:
African Propoor Tourism Development Centre

African Propoor Tourism Development Centre (APTDC) is a registered charitable organization that uses community-based tourism as a tool to address various social problems including human-wildlife conflict, youth unemployment, and poverty and gender inequality.

In fact, since its inception two years ago, APTDC has helped to alleviate poverty in Kenya, providing a source of livelihood for more than 300 people through education, training and the creation of jobs. APTDC's approach has also benefited tourists visiting Kenya, the Kenyan Government, non-governmental organizations, Kenya-based tourism providers, and training institutions.

For continued success, APTDC relies on generous contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. They believe that philanthropy is a shared responsibility and an opportunity to make a difference in the world. And they view each supporter of the Centre as equal partners.

To learn more about how you can support the APTDC, please visit their web site or email the Centre.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Adventures in Travel Expos

Join STI at the Adventures in Travel Expo on October 9 -10, 2004! Over 500 worldwide exhibitors will present the best in adventure, cultural, and responsible travel at the San Mateo County Expo Center in San Francisco, California. Highlights include: