Denver, CO – August 29, 2007- Green Living Ideas and Detour, the Adventure Travel Marketplace (www.detourdestinations.com) have partnered together in an effort to publicize information about sustainable, socially responsible travel. On the Green Living Ideas podcast, released on August 16th, Detour Founder, Greg Findley, discusses the history and new directions of sustainable travel with Green Living Ideas.
Green Living Ideas and Detour have collaborated to gather useful information about environmentally sound travel tips which should help tourists choose a truly green vacation. The go local movement in conjunction with environmentally sound practices is a new step for sustainable tourism, one that is being recognized as important for the entire travel industry.
The Green Living Ideas website is an information resource of green tips and eco-favorable how-to articles, allowing consumers to make better "green" purchasing decisions. With a variety of articles, videos and podcasts interviews with industry leaders about environmental issues, Green Living Ideas is designed to help both businesses and concerned consumers make environmentally friendly choices.
To listen to the Green Living Idea's podcast with Detour Destinations, click below:
Ecotourism
Friday, August 31, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Carbonfund.org names Detour a "Model for Sustainable Business"
Detour has been recognized by Carbonfund.org as a leader in the sustainable business movement. We are honored by their endorsement and appreciation for our sustainability efforts.
Carbonfund.org is one of the highest recommended carbon-offset organizations in the world. They help individuals and companies off-set their carbon by contributing to projects in reforestation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
To calculate and off-set your trip's carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org, please visit the "Go Green" tab on the Detour homepage.
Courtesy of Carbonfund.org:
"Detour is the leading online marketplace for adventure travel. The company was founded to promote small-scale tourism directly through socially and environmentally responsible local tour operators and outfitters.
Action-hungry travelers merely have to go to www.detourdestinations.com, and choose among various trip packages in Africa, Central and South America. To name a few, their packages include hiking Mount Kilimanjaro's Machame Route, kayaking and snorkeling in the Galapagos islands, and mountain biking in the Andes. Detour allows their customers to conveniently plan their trips online, save money, and ensure proceeds go to the local economy.
"International travel has so much good to offer from much needed relaxation; to cross-cultural understanding; to learning about new people and ecosystems around the world," says Detour CEO Greg Findley. "But carbon emissions from flights and ground travel are troubling."
Findley and his colleagues have strong environmental and social responsibility convi
ctions. As such, Detour has made strong commitments to protect the environment and minimize global climate change.
The Detour office location was selected based on ease of travel by foot and public transportation. Their office is powered completely by wind energy. Their office is cooled by a low-energy, CFC evaporative cooler. Their company vehicle is powered by biodiesel. The encourage non-motorized forms of travel, and have most of their employees telecommute. All their business transactions are conducted online.
Not satisfied, the eco-conscious business took their efforts further. They have become a CarbonFree™ small business partner, offsetting the carbon emissions of their entire operations, including a handful of their trips. They will soon start offering the option for their customers to voluntary offset their trips. They have also partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to promote
green certified local travel companies in Latin America.
Congratulations Detour, you are a true model for sustainable businesses!"
Carbonfund.org is one of the highest recommended carbon-offset organizations in the world. They help individuals and companies off-set their carbon by contributing to projects in reforestation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
To calculate and off-set your trip's carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org, please visit the "Go Green" tab on the Detour homepage.
Courtesy of Carbonfund.org:
"Detour is the leading online marketplace for adventure travel. The company was founded to promote small-scale tourism directly through socially and environmentally responsible local tour operators and outfitters.Action-hungry travelers merely have to go to www.detourdestinations.com, and choose among various trip packages in Africa, Central and South America. To name a few, their packages include hiking Mount Kilimanjaro's Machame Route, kayaking and snorkeling in the Galapagos islands, and mountain biking in the Andes. Detour allows their customers to conveniently plan their trips online, save money, and ensure proceeds go to the local economy.
"International travel has so much good to offer from much needed relaxation; to cross-cultural understanding; to learning about new people and ecosystems around the world," says Detour CEO Greg Findley. "But carbon emissions from flights and ground travel are troubling."
Findley and his colleagues have strong environmental and social responsibility convi
ctions. As such, Detour has made strong commitments to protect the environment and minimize global climate change.The Detour office location was selected based on ease of travel by foot and public transportation. Their office is powered completely by wind energy. Their office is cooled by a low-energy, CFC evaporative cooler. Their company vehicle is powered by biodiesel. The encourage non-motorized forms of travel, and have most of their employees telecommute. All their business transactions are conducted online.
Not satisfied, the eco-conscious business took their efforts further. They have become a CarbonFree™ small business partner, offsetting the carbon emissions of their entire operations, including a handful of their trips. They will soon start offering the option for their customers to voluntary offset their trips. They have also partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to promote
green certified local travel companies in Latin America.Congratulations Detour, you are a true model for sustainable businesses!"
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Earthquake hits Peruvian Coast
From Andean Adventures:
Earthquake Strikes the Peruvian Coast
A powerful earthquake hit the coast of Peruvian early on Wednesday evening, local time. The US Geological Survey reported that the epicentre was some 145 kilometres off the Pacific coast, southeast of Lima, and the most seriously affected area is the province of Ica, with extensive damage caused to the towns of Pisco (60 kilometres from the epicentre), Chincha and the regional capital of Ica.
Two tremors, each lasting approximately twenty seconds, were felt, measuring 7.9 and 7.5 on the Richter scale.
First reports indicate that 337 people were killed by the quake, with all but one of the deaths occurring in the department of Ica. Seventeen people were killed in the town of Ica when the church of Señor de Luren collapsed on the congregation during evening mass. Although some buildings collapsed in the capital, Lima (where one third of the country’s population lives), only one death was reported.
Some sections of the Pan-American Highway are closed to traffic still, and Pisco airport is being used to coordinate government efforts to assist those whose homes were damaged by the quake.
No foreigner nationals have been listed among the dead, and no Andean Adventures passengers or staff were affected by the quake. Nevertheless, I am sure I speak for us all when I say that our thoughts go out to all those affected.
In the coming days and weeks we will keep all our overseas clients informed of developments in the department of Ica and the operability of the area as infrastructure is restored.
Earthquake Strikes the Peruvian Coast
A powerful earthquake hit the coast of Peruvian early on Wednesday evening, local time. The US Geological Survey reported that the epicentre was some 145 kilometres off the Pacific coast, southeast of Lima, and the most seriously affected area is the province of Ica, with extensive damage caused to the towns of Pisco (60 kilometres from the epicentre), Chincha and the regional capital of Ica.
Two tremors, each lasting approximately twenty seconds, were felt, measuring 7.9 and 7.5 on the Richter scale.
First reports indicate that 337 people were killed by the quake, with all but one of the deaths occurring in the department of Ica. Seventeen people were killed in the town of Ica when the church of Señor de Luren collapsed on the congregation during evening mass. Although some buildings collapsed in the capital, Lima (where one third of the country’s population lives), only one death was reported.
Some sections of the Pan-American Highway are closed to traffic still, and Pisco airport is being used to coordinate government efforts to assist those whose homes were damaged by the quake.
No foreigner nationals have been listed among the dead, and no Andean Adventures passengers or staff were affected by the quake. Nevertheless, I am sure I speak for us all when I say that our thoughts go out to all those affected.
In the coming days and weeks we will keep all our overseas clients informed of developments in the department of Ica and the operability of the area as infrastructure is restored.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Ecuador's Independence Holiday
Today, August 10th, Ecuador observes a national holiday, celebrating the first call for independence from Spain. For nearly 300 years, the Spanish had occupied and imposed colonial rule over Ecuador and much of Latin America. The inhabitants of Quito, the present-day capital of Ecuador, declared on August 10, 1809 their intention to secede from Spanish rule. Their success came 1822 after the Battle of Pichincha and they joined Simon Bolivar's Republic of Gran Columbia. In 1830, with the dissolution of Gran Columbia, Ecuador formed its own republic.
Ecuador's proclamation in 1809 is widely regarded as a catalyst for the continent-wide independence movement that soon followed. Because of their inspiring initial efforts to oust the Spanish, Quito is referred to as "Luz de America" which means "light of America."
August 10th has since become a federal holiday wherein Ecuadorians can celebrate and honor the heroic achievements of their ancestors.
One of the best ways to learn about Ecuadorian history is to visit the country itself. Detour features cultural tours of this amazing destination, including tours of Quito (a UNESCO world heritage site) and other places of special historic importance. Visit Detour to learn more about cultural tours of Ecuador.
Ecuador's proclamation in 1809 is widely regarded as a catalyst for the continent-wide independence movement that soon followed. Because of their inspiring initial efforts to oust the Spanish, Quito is referred to as "Luz de America" which means "light of America."
August 10th has since become a federal holiday wherein Ecuadorians can celebrate and honor the heroic achievements of their ancestors.
One of the best ways to learn about Ecuadorian history is to visit the country itself. Detour features cultural tours of this amazing destination, including tours of Quito (a UNESCO world heritage site) and other places of special historic importance. Visit Detour to learn more about cultural tours of Ecuador.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Incidental Shark Fishing Law Approved by Ecuadorian Government -- A call to action
From Quasar Expeditions--
Last week the Ecuadorian Government overturned a law that prohibited the export of shark fins from Ecuador. It is now legal to export the fins of these animals and the incidental catch of sharks is also now legal. With these new laws, shark fishing is out of control. There is no logical way to determine if the fishing of sharks was incidental, but fishing ships are returning to port with more sharks than ever before.
The population of sharks is in danger all over Ecuadorian waters, including Galapagos, where several fishing ships have been found illegally fishing inside the marine reserve. Furthermore, the Ecuadorian Government has not renewed the contract that it had with Sea Shepherd International, a company that provided ships to patrol Galapagos waters in search of illegal shark fishing.
The situation is a very sad one for the future of the Galapagos Islands. Sharks are amongst the most essential underwater creatures in a healthy marine environment and their future is very uncertain.
We ask all agencies to help and take action in any way that they can to stop this massacre. You can contact organizations that you work with to put pressure on the Ministry of the Environment (mma@ambiente.gov.ec), the Ministry of Tourism (ministra@turismo.gov.ec), and the presidency (sugerencias@presidencia.gov.ec). Please send emails directly to those addresses, as well, expressing your opinions and concerns on the issue.
With enough resistance, we trust that these new laws can be overturned.
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