Environmental Travel Opportunities
compiled by Ron Mader

February 1996

World Congress

The 1996 World Congress on Adventure Travel and Ecotourism will be held in Chile's beautiful lake country resort city, Puerto Varas, at the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere's summer from November 20 through 24, 1996. The Adventure Travel Society (ATS) will sponsor the congress, its sixth global forum. Sernatur, the National Tourism Board of Chile will be the official host for this year's event.

There will be more than 80 premier adventure travel operators from Chile, South America and around the world showcasing their trips to wholesalers, national and regional tourism boards and travel agents from over 45 countries.

In addition to the Trade Expo, the congress will feature well-known tourism related experts who will address problem solving in the areas of finance, conservation, environment and economic development. The congress will also hold highly informational workshops on how to sell adventure travel; work with indigenous cultures and their businesses; and establish and protect parks and wilderness areas.

The congress annually attracts representatives from Ministries of Tourism, CEO's of major travel related corporations, natural resource planners, tour operators, conservation organizations, indigenous groups and outdoor and travel writers. Participants will hear keynote speakers from the World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council, International Development Bank and United Nations Environmental Program. As the host country, Chile is making every effort to ensure a memorable visit for delegates. Providing special transportation arrangements are Lan Chile and Ladeco, the two Chilean national airlines. Upon registration, delegates qualify for up to 50 per cent discounts from the U.S. gateway cities of Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Select international cities are also included.

The premier adventure tour operator for the Southern Cone of South America, ACE Turismo will handle the pre and post adventure travel arrangements and itineraries. Founded in 1990, the Adventure Travel Society is a professional corporation that provides ecotourism consulting and marketing seminars in addition to producing the World Congress.

ATS has a special early bird registration of $290 and is available to delegates worldwide until March 15, 1996. For more information on the 1996 World Congress on Adventure Travel and Ecotourism, the Adventure Travel Society can be reached by phone (303) 649-9016, fax (303) 649-9017 or E-mail: ats@adventuretravel.com.

Chile Cruises

VICTORY Cruises, the southernmost cruise agency in the world, invites you to come aboard and live the adventures we offer sailing the Beagle Channel and to the Darwin Cordillera glaciers and fjords in this crazy geography that time and nature have made at the "confines of the earth".

The cost of the trip is 200 American dollars/day per passenger, all provisions are included. To make reservations, 50% of the cost must be paid at least 60 days prior to the Cruise. Balance paid on embarkation. Email: victory@magellan.fi.umag.cl

Belize

Far Horizons presents a journey to the ceremonial underworld of Belize. Join Barbara MacLeod, Mayan epigrapher and leading authority on cave archaeology. The trip costs $2495. Call Far Horizons at 1-800-552-4575 or email: 75473.3100@compuserve.com.

Diving

Agencia de Viajes Escenarios Tropicales is a Costa Rican based travel agency specializing in Scuba Diving packages. The agency has been in operation for five years. "Over the years, we have seen Costa Rica grow as a popular dive destination and with this our concern for protecting the underwater world from any harm," says Carlos Picado, the agency's president.

The web site http://www.centralamerica.com/cr/scuba/escenar.htm has information on diving and Costa Rica. Or contact: Agencia de Viajes Escenarios Tropicales S.A.; Phone: 506-224-2555 / 506-283-6157; Fax: 506-234- 1554; Email: divingcr@sol.racsa.co.cr

Coastal Zone Workshop The non-profit Mote Marine Laboratory will offer a coastal zone management workshop in Brasil later this year (tentitively in late September). The Brazilian NGO CEAMADE/FAGRAM is looking for additional students who are interested in this topic. The course will be taught by John R. Clark who has authored numerous books, including the Coastal Zone Management Handbook.

Details on this course are available through MML's web page http://www.marinelab.sarasota.fl.us/~marshall/fkmrc2.html. For further information, contact Michael Marshall, Mote Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Ecology Program, 1600 Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236; Email: marshall@marinelab.sarasota.fl.us.


There is a $25 charge for items listed in the Travel Calendar column of El Planeta Platica. Send a classified ad of less than 100 words to the publisher at 12345 SW 18th Street #417, Miami, FL 33175, USA; Email: ron@txinfinet.com


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