Draft Programme for "Responsible Tourism for Media & Tourism Professionals" Training Workshop

Our draft programme for this year's annual workshop is now live. Check it out and do sign up for places. Seats are limited. This year the workshop will focus on members of the media and tourism professionals.

About the workshop?
This annual training workshop provides a background to sustainability principles in tourism and numerous case studies from the region. The workshop aims to help arm the media, property owners, managers and tourism professionals with what is going on in the region. The workshop format and discussions will make this a truly engaging event. By sharing the winners’ best practices and demonstrating how easy and beneficial Responsible Tourism is to implement, we hope to inspire change with other operators. Who should attend? We are targeting the workshop at the media and tourism practitioners (managers or business owners) and will be focusing on practical examples from Asia. We also think people who sell tourism (marketing managers) would also benefit from the workshop. It will help you understand what you will be marketing and more importantly, help you market meaningfully.

To learn more about the workshop, click here.

RTA on FuturArc Magazine

A few months back, journalist Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle from FuturArc contacted us to propose writing a story on Eco-Tourism for their Green Issue. FuturArc is a quarterly journal published by media group BCI Asia "that showcases the new and progressive in architecture in Asia-Pacific. Recognising the significant impact the built form has on society and the environment, FuturArc advocates for architecture that demonstrates creativity, social responsibility and sustainability. It encourages architects, engineers and developers to become innovators in design and early adopters of technologies."

FuturArc published its annual green issue highlighting pertinent issues concerning the world of architecture and the environment. "Travel with a conscience" was the story churned out by Y-Jean with quotes from Dr. Reza about eco-tourism and its impacts on the natural, built and social environments. The article also highlighted reasons why people participate in eco-tours and what improvements could be made and new initiatives taken to lessen the impact on the environment.

Click on the image below to read the article. If you would like a soft copy of the article, email rt@wildasia.org. Enjoy the read!

July 2009 Update: Chance to Wild Asia site visits

Wild Asia is keen to work with keen Malaysian-based photo or video talent. We are looking out for someone that can help us bring out the best in this year's finalists. If you are chosen you will get an exclusive privilege of joining our fact finding mission this year.

Why bother?
A chance to visit new places and get behind the scenes with some of the region's most inspiring tourism operators. Your work will help us highlight the winners and do more to inspire others.

The catch?
None really. Wild Asia's work is always licensed under the creative commons banner and you will hold all rights to your material. We just ask for the freedom to use your photographs to highlight the cause.

The costs?
Your basic travel costs (flight tickets and accommodation) will be fully covered. Other travel related costs (meals, in-bound travel) is on your own.

The date(s)?
Visits are planned for August and September. If you are able to spare at least 5 days per trip (and there are 8 planned across Asia) you stand a chance to be part of as many trips as possible.

Do send us a link to your work before 27th July 2009 and let us know the dates you can travel between August to September. If you need more information, do contact us at rt@wildasia.org.

RTA on World Hotel Link & Make Travel Fair

In this day and age, technology plays an important role in business, engagements and the people we reach. Wild Asia has been privilege to be featured on both World Hotel Link and Make Travel Fair.

"Make Travel Fair was established at the end of 2006 as an online platform to communicate some of the global issues associated with travel, to encourage education amongst travellers and to encourage travel as a means of education." - taken from http://www.maketravelfair.co.uk

Find our feature here: http://www.maketravelfair.co.uk/2009/06/12/wild-asia-responsibly-connecting-people-to-place/

"Worldhotel-link.com Limited (WHL) is owned and operated by a team from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, India, South Africa, Switzerland, the USA and Vietnam. WHL started life as a development project in the Mekong region trying to find a way to get travel product from the developing world online and able to be transacted just as it is in the West. Our Mission: Offering a unique online booking service to both travellers and travel service providers by marrying the best of what can be done locally (local knowledge, local relationships, respect for local environment) with best practices in global marketing, technology and information systems that are appropriate for use in all countries." - taken from http://www.whl.travel/

Find our feature here: http://www.whl.travel/blog/?p=711#more-711

Exciting updates on RTA 2009

RTA 2009 is coming into being! Malaysian Airlines Berhad (MAS) has agreed to sponsor our judges’ flight tickets and Keresa Plantations & Friends has also dug deep into their pockets to contribute in a big way! Big thank you to both companies… We are still keeping our eyes peeled for more sponsors to make this a successful event. Email rt@wildasia.org for more info.

Entries have since been rolling in and a few have caught our judge’s eye! We still have space for a few more entries… if you have not submitted your entry, you still can! We are accepting entries until 21 June 2009.

One of Wild Asia’s RTA 2008 winners, Tree Tops Jungle Lodge in Sri Lanka got a mention in National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Check it out… http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/world-travel/eco-tourism-costas-christ-text/2

Our "RT in Action" Workshop is also in progress. Take a sneak preview at the developing programme here: http://docs.google.com/a/wildasia.org/Doc?id=dnd7fq5_222h6vdvr3c&hl=en. Registration is open from now until September 2009. *Don’t miss this chance! Sign up NOW!