partners
Anyone for a Lime&Tonic in Prague?
The WHL Group has this past week launched its latest online venture, called Lime&Tonic (L&T), an exciting new business in the service of independent travellers and locals alike. L&T is a fresh twist on the travel industry that is breaking new ground. It’s a GroupOn-style ‘collective-buying’ site with a TripAdvisor-style traveller-rated destination guide. See how […]
The 2010 Geotourism Challenge is now accepting submissions
Ashoka’s Changemakers has recently announced the start of its third Geotourism Challenge. In cooperation with National Geographic and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund (BID/Fomin), Changemakers this year is in search of innovations that protect the environment and that strengthen the patrimony and the sustainability of local communities located on coastal, fluvial and insular […]
The first European Ecotourism Conference is soon to begin in Pärnu, Estonia
The importance of balancing sustainability and profitability is the primary underlying theme of the first European Ecotourism Conference, being held from 26 to 30 September, 2010, in Pärnu, Estonia. Established with a mission to serve as a Europe-wide forum through which stakeholders involved in ecotourism can gain insight into its development, opportunities and future challenges. […]
The Tourism Development Bank: a new funding channel for small and local accommodation providers
In international development, access to finance at the local level is one of the biggest obstacles to real and sustainable progress. Wealthy donor agencies bring exciting promise of great opportunities, but many require matching funding or only agree to short-term engagements after which local businesses scramble to secure ongoing support. The local businesses find it […]
The responsible traveller – the impact of not knowing the local language
We have all seen the stereotypical struggling tourist abroad, hands flapping, shouting and getting nowhere fast. Is this a responsible way to travel? Or by not trying to learn even a little of the language native to a country we are visit, are we eroding the culture of that country? Entering a room in a […]
Local Travel – that’s what we’re talking about!
That is literally what I’m talking about below: On Friday 20 August, in my capacity as one of the initiators of the Local Travel Movement, I had a chance to chat about Local Travel with Ron Mader of Planeta.com, a global journal of practical ecotourism and an active Local Travel Movement partner. This online get-together […]
Agriturismo in Italy – a great local-travel alternative
If you want to experience Italy in a mindful way and stay true to the values of Local Travel by connecting with Italians and travelling in a way respectful of their environment, history, culture and economy, try staying in an agriturismo. Not only do you reap the benefits of knowing you have done your part […]
Travelling irresponsibly – the impact of the package travel regulations
Do you like to travel independently? Maybe you have done a little backpacking or taken time out and enjoyed the pleasure of exploring, discovering local gems and getting off the beaten track. Maybe you try to book locally and pay a fair price (and make sure as much of your money as possible goes to […]
Abraham’s Path: walking on the path of the friend
Ahlan wa Sahlan – welcome – was a common phase I heard throughout my trip to Al Ayoun. I was there as part of a volunteering team from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK which had travelled to Jordan to embark on a pioneering experiment in ecotourism, rural development, and cross culture exchange (see video). […]
Weaving goodbye – going local in Peru
Nina Fogelman and Ancient Summit, Inc., are the inspiration for and the host of a new documentary (see the trailer below) that was filmed in the summer of 2009. The documentary features five American teenagers with a strong desire to go local, to immerse themselves in a different culture and forge a bond through the […]