Tourism Review Online Magazine - 11/2010 by Tourism Review Digital Network

November, 2010

Dear readers, Getting ready for the Fall holidays? The November issue of TR magazine is a must when preparing for your travels. If you wish to explore some unconventional destination go to Romania and get ready for bloodthirsty vampires â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or at least the legends about them. Read the Destination part. When on your way waiting for your airplane, why not to try the airport spa? Get a soothing massage or other kinds of relaxing therapies. Read more in the Spa supplement. If you just got back from Delhi as a true fan of the Commonwealth Games, open the Professional part focusing this time on the dynamically developing sports tourism. The Ethical supplement on the other hand will teach you how to be a responsible traveler. Learn about the fair trade principles applied to the travel trade. However, if you simply want to have some fun close to your home, why not to take kids to the local Zoo. Let us inspire you with the Heritage part presenting some of the oldest Zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the world.

Milada Sovadinova Editor

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER, 2010

H E R I TAG E

S PA

Zoo’s: Looking back in Time

Airport pAmpering for WeAry trAveler

Zoological gardens are one of the most popular attractions – especially for kids. Visit the oldest Zoo in the world in Vienna; explore Amsterdam’s historical Zoo or the modern Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

How to enjoy the delay of your airplane? Try airport spas offering a range of spa and wellness services including chair massages, oxygen therapy or manicure.

HERITAGE: Zoo’s: Looking back in Time............ 4

TRANSPORT: Airport Pampering for Weary Traveler........................... 33

The World’s Oldest Zoo? In Austria............................................................................. 5 Lincoln Park Zoo: Leading the Way. .............................................................................. 7 ZOO Liberec – Adventure and Knowledge................................................................. 9 Artis Royal Zoo: Going Back to 19th Century........................................................ 11

Quick Spa Treatments during Layovers................................................................... 34 Airport Spa: Relax for a Few Minutes............................................................................ 35 Airport Pampering: The British Way.......................................................................... 37 Review: A Massage at Denver International Airport. ........................................ 39

Professional

De st i nat ion Romania: UniqUe & UndiscoveRed

SportS touriSm: promoting DeStinationS

Sports tourism might represent a niche market, yet it is dynamically developing. Why is it so popular? How can communities utilize its sports tourism potential?

Romania is a beautiful country offering pristine nature, friendly atmosphere as well as delicious cuisine. Discover the east European world of chimney cakes, unique churches, and … bloodthirsty vampires.

Professional: Sports Tourism: Promoting Destinations.................. 13

The Evolution of Modern Sports Tourism.............................................................. 14 Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games: A Lost Chance for Indian Tourism.......... 17 Sports Tourism: Tough Legacy or Golden Jackpot?. ........................................... 19 The Philippines: Sport to Boost Local Tourism. ................................................... 21

ETHICAL

Destination: Romania: Unique & Undiscovered...................40

The Real Transylvania Beats the Fiction................................................................ 41 Orthodoxy, Myths and Rural Life. ............................................................................ 43 Romanian Tourism Hit by the Crisis.......................................................................... 45 Vacation with Vampires in Transylvania................................................................ 47

Fairs & Exhibitions

Travel Trade discovering Fair Trade

T r av e l / T o u r i s m

Tourism based on fair trade principles has become a fast growing niche. Explore the world’s countries responsibly. Learn how to be fair!

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ETHICAL: Travel Trade Discovering Fair Trade................................................. 23

Fairs & Exhibitions: Travel/Tourism in NOVEMBER 2010 by regions..................................................49

Ethical Tourism – Getting Fair on Holiday............................................................ 24 Laos’ Fair Fare.................................................................................................................... 26 Fair Trade and Harvesting Fair Trade Tourism.................................................... 28 South Africa: Fair Trade in Tourism......................................................................... 31

Western Europe. ............................................................................................................... 50 Asia & Pacific...................................................................................................................... 51

H E R I TAG E Zoo’s: Looking back in Time

H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

The World's Oldest Zoo? In Austria

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ocated on the grounds of the famous Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, is Tiergarten Schönbrunn (German for Schönbrunn Zoo) the oldest zoo in the world. It was founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752 and when first opened to the public in 1779, there were no entrance fees. It was the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II, who first organized expeditions to Africa and the Americas to capture specimens for the zoo and the first giraffe arrived in 1828. On July 14, 1906, the zoo shocked the world with the birth of the first elephant in captivity; until then, zoologists had held the opinion that elephants could only reproduce in the wild. At the onset of the first world war, the zoo was home to 712 species and 3500 specimens, but due to diminishing food supplies during the conflict, the number of specimens rapidly sank down to 900. Bombing raids in February 1945 during World War II had an even greater impact on the zoo; many buildings were destroyed and many animals were killed, leaving just 400 samples alive. After the war, the new zoo director Dr. Julius Brachetka eventually managed to restore the zoo, but in the 1980s, it experienced a financial crisis due to lack of visitors and increasing costs, however, closure was prevented by privatization in 1992. Recently, under the guidance of manager Helmut Pechlaner, also president of the Austrian wing of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the zoo has been able to renovate and extend many of the enclosures thanks to significantly increased entrance fees, but also through private and corporate sponsorship, and hotels in Vienna are once again being patronised by visitors who have come from afar to visit the famous animal establishment. Tiergarten Schönbrunn is one of the few zoos worldwide to house giant pandas and on the 23rd August 2007 the first non-artificial insemina-

H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

tion panda baby in Europe was born there. Other attractions include a rainforest house, in which the spectator is led through a simulation of the Amazon Rainforest, and an aquarium which enables spectators to walk underneath a simulation of the Amazon in flood. The new polarium for animals of the Arctic region was opened in early 2004 and the zoo is now also a center for Zoological research. The zoo's long life has not been without hardship and a number of tragic accidents have plagued the organisation. In 2002 a jaguar attacked a caretaker during feeding, killing her in front of visitors and the director sustained heavy arm injuries whilst trying to intervene. In February 2005 a

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young elephant lethally crushed his caretaker and in the following press storm, director Helmut Pechlaner offered to resign over the issue. However, despite all this, Tiergarten Schönbrunn is among the most modern zoos in the world and their motto "Schönbrunn should be a zoo of happy animals", is clearly visible everywhere, which is what has allowed it to survive to become the world's oldest zoo. By Victoria Cochrane http://EzineArticles.com http://www.zoovienna.at

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H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

Lincoln Park Zoo: Leading the Way

One

of the oldest zoos in the United States, Lincoln Park Zoo is also one of the most modern. Lincoln Park Zoo began with the gift of two swans in 1868, and nearly 150 years later, visitors can still see these stately birds paddling across the water. But while swans have been a constant throughout the zoo’s long history, the institution that houses them has been utterly transformed. Today’s Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most modern zoos in the country. Chimpanzees climb in lush green habitats designed to mirror their wild homes. African lions thrive under the state-of-theart care of veterinarians and zookeepers. Black rhinos provide insights to conservationists saving their wild cousins in South Africa. Students receive unforgettable lessons in Chicago’s premier living classroom. And more than 3 million annual visitors enjoy a zoo that is free and open to all every day of the year.

Proud Past, Progressive Present Each tour of Lincoln Park Zoo’s 49 urban acres offers ample evidence of how the zoo has grown and changed since its inception. Modern buildings share space with classical landmarks, with each offering exceptional homes for the zoo’s amazing animals. History is close at hand with each stroll through the Kovler Lion House. Designed by noted Prairie Style architect Dwight Perkins in 1912, this Chicago landmark features detailed brick and terracotta decorations beneath an ornate, vaulted roof. African lions, Amur tigers, leopards and other big cats share this impressive space, which has been enhanced over the years with a number of outdoor expansions. The building’s male and female African lions offer a living link to their wild cousins. Zoo scientists are Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

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H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

leading a vaccination campaign to conserve lions and other predators in the famed Serengeti ecosystem. By vaccinating the region’s domestic dogs against rabies and canine distemper, researchers prevent these diseases from devastating carnivore populations. The inoculations also safeguard the health of local residents, producing an end result that benefits the entire ecosystem. Another African animal that highlights the zoo’s commitment to global conservation is the black rhino. Three of these massive mammals occupy the zoo’s new Harris Family Foundation Black Rhinoceros Exhibit. These endangered herbivores enjoy mud wallows, mounds of browse and plenty of room to roam. A movable gate system makes it possible to combine adjacent yards, a necessity for future breeding plans (once the juvenile female adds a couple years and a few hundred pounds).

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The zoo’s black rhinos are also helping their endangered peers regain a foothold in South Africa. And they’re doing it with a substance that’s in plentiful supply: their feces. A field kit developed at the zoo using these prodigious piles of waste enables researchers to monitor parasites and hormonal activity in rhinos in South Africa’s Addo Elephant National Park. Collected feces can provide a window into health and reproduction without disturbing the wild animals. The resulting data is crucial for recovery efforts–and possible because of research that began at Lincoln Park Zoo. While rhino research provides a reminder of how zoos have changed, nowhere is Lincoln Park Zoo’s evolution more apparent than Regenstein Center for African Apes. This state-of-the-art building offers three spacious exhibits for the zoo’s gorillas and chimpanzees. Vines and platforms prompt plenty of climbing, outdoor yards encourage exploration and natural social groups promote a full range of rich behavior. The building also provides a laboratory for learning more about our closest living relatives. Zoo scientists with the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes work with the animals to study ape tool-use, spaceuse, cognition, behavior and play. Data from the zoo is compared to information from wild sites in Africa’s Gombe National Park and Goualougo Triangle. The resulting findings boost our understanding of animals and contribute to great ape conservation.

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Advancing Conservation, Education and Care A free oasis in the heart of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo has always introduced guests to the wonders of wildlife. But even as the zoo remains free and open to all, it has moved forward on a new commitment to educating visitors about animals and working with partners around the globe to conserve wildlife. While Lincoln Park Zoo is proud of its rich history, its greatest days continue to lie ahead. By James Seidler James Seidler is the editor of Lincoln Park Zoo magazine. http://www.lpzoo.org

H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

ZOO Liberec – Adventure and Knowledge

The ZOO boasts the largest breeding group of the critically endangered Somali Wild Ass (Equus Africanus Somaliensis) in the Czech Republic; they are also the only ZOO in this country that keeps Himalayan Blue Sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) in addition to the large and well established group of ever popular chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes). Among the favourite animals of the visitors are especially Red Pandas and big cats such as the Snow Leopard and the North Chinese Leopard, lions, cheetahs, Carpathian Lynx, Indian Elephants, Rothschild’s Giraffes, Chapman’s and Burchell’s Zebras, South American Sea Lions, and a variety of tropical fauna.

Are white tigers really rare?

2009, the oldest Zoological garden of the former Czechoslovakia celebrated its ninetieth anniversary. Located at the foothills of the Jizera Mountains in the Northern most part of the Czech Republic, the ZOO accommodates approximately 170 animal species accounting in total over 1000 individuals. The Liberec ZOO is the only place in Europe, where you can see a white form of the Ben-

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gal Tiger (Panthera Tigris) or the huge Golden Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor Bedfordi). Also extremely unique is one of the most complex collections of birds of prey in the Old Continent, which includes among others the Bearded Vulture, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, the Steller’s Sea Eagle, as well as Chimango Caracara and Yellow Headed Caracara.

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The first two white tigers were purchased by the ZOO in 1994 – two siblings, Columbo and Isabella, delivered to Liberec from Eskilstuna, Sweden. In 2002, after waiting for five long years, the ZOO managed to acquire a male – Sitar, from Madrid, who was not related to the siblings. He later fathered triplets with Isabella – Achilles, Artemis and Aphrodite. Since then, there were two more male white tigers in the ZOO, Tibet (who died in 2007) and from 2006 Paris, who has been so far unsuccessful in trying to produce an offspring. Therefore we brought a year old female tiger Surya Bára from Bratislava ZOO in 2009, as an addition to the breed. Upon her and Paris, who is three years her senior, now rests the greatest hope of continuation of the white tiger breeding program. White tigers, weighing up to 150 kg, are

H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time among the top, most modern facilities of this kind in the country. The Centre of Ecological Education DIVIZNA (Verbascum) and the Centre for Animals in Need ARCHA (Ark) have both became integral parts of the ZOO. DIVIZNA provides comprehensive services in the field of ecological education for teachers, pupils, students and the general public (educational programs, seminars, excursions, art workshops, etc.). ARCHA, which incorporates a shelter for dogs and cats together with a station for handicapped animals, takes care of injured animals from both the wild and domestic environment. The Liberec ZOO thus represents a unique fusion, one of its kind in the Czech Republic, because through caring for rare and endangered animals, offering its educational programs, and organising numerous special events they successfully completed the full circle of nature conservation. incredibly attractive among big cats, not only from the visitors’ point of view, but also from a marketing perspective. However, in purely breeding terms, they are not a rarity, they are in fact animals with a genetic defect that causes a lack of fur pigment (simply, that’s why they are white, not orange). We must also rebut another myth: white tigers are not albinos. Their blue eyes, pink nose and pink paw pads are a clear evidence of that. Presence of these top predators in the Liberec ZOO significantly financially contributes to the upkeep of the truly rare animals, such as Markhor, East Caucasian Tur and the Somali Wild Ass that is on the brink of extinction, which are unfortunately sometimes overlooked by the visitors.

Unique ecological fusion With the turn of the millennium, the Liberec ZOO opened its other dimensions to experts as well as to the general public and immediately found itself Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

Traces of the ZOO around the world You can come across the name ‘ZOO Liberec’ all around the world, because for years it has been supporting five international projects in situ in Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe, where it directly and indirectly contributes through its breeding, scientific and humanitarian activities towards environmental protection. Together with the Basel ZOO we cooperate in monitoring the last big herd of the Somali Wild Ass in the Sub-Saharan Eritrea, we support a scientific research project examining the lives of chimpanzees on the Rubondo Island of Lake Victoria, Tanzania, and we also participate in the rescue of endangered endemic species on the Philippine Islands of Negros and Panay. We are a long-term partner in the humanitarian project ‘Help the Future’ helping orphans and street children of the very poor Ouagadougou’s capital Burkina Faso.

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Already a traditional breeding success is the annual release of young Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus Barbatus) in the French-Italian Alps or on the Iberian Peninsula. Since 2001 we have returned a dozen young birds of this endangered bird of prey back to the wild. By Ivan Langr http://www.zooliberec.eu

H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

Artis Royal Zoo: Going Back to 19th Century

The

concept of Natura Artis Magistra, or ‘nature instructs the arts and sciences’, is still vigorously embodied by the Amsterdam Artis Royal Zoo. About fifty statues, created during the past two centuries, are on display in the zoological gardens. Furthermore, the Artis Library and the University of Amsterdam now jointly manage the extremely valuable collection of books and reproductions amassed by the Society since its foundation. Artis Royal Zoo was founded in 1838, near the centre of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. The principal founder of Artis, G.F. Westerman, had brought Rijndert Draak and his unique collection of stuffed animals to the Plantage district of Amsterdam. Here, the collection was put on display in the Stadsherberg, on the Middenlaan. This inn was situated opposite the buiten Middenhof, which before the end of 1838 became the birthplace of Artis. Aside from a ‘Surinam jungle cat’ (an ocelot), this attractive outdoor location did not yet boast much in the way of fearsome

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beasts. There were just some romantic ponds with an assortment of waterfowl, pheasants in elegant round cages, and a few monkeys in what used to be a house. Furthermore, of course, another house had been converted into a meeting hall for the members of the Natura Artis Magistra Zoological Society (founded on 1 May). These meetings were pretty exclusive affairs, as membership was very expensive. In addition, new members had to be nominated by existing members, and approval was subject to tightly regulated ballots. Yet the Society flourished, which caused its reserves of capital to grow. Within a year, it had set up an expensive caravan in front of the city's gates, containing some truly ‘dangerous’ animals. These included a lion, four tigers, hyenas, a boa constrictor, and a crocodile, with a gigantic elephant called Jack as the star attraction.

Artis Royal Zoo Plantage Kerklaan 38-40 1018 CZ Amsterdam The Netherlands Opening Times April 1 until October 31: 9.00 hrs–18.00 hrs November 1 until March 31: 09.00–17.00 every Saturday in June, July and August the Zoo is open until sunset

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There was an enormous increase in the number of members, the first museum building was erected, and ever more plots of land were purchased in the Plantage, which at that time was still mainly occupied by numerous shipyards, country houses, and parks. There were also numerous pubs and houses of pleasure. Two country houses from that period are still being used as animal

H e r itag e : Z o o’s : L o oking b ack in Time

enclosures. There is also a fairly notorious tavern dating from the early 19th century, which Artis converted to the Wolf House and Dovecote in 1865. During the First World War, this Dutch Royal Mail carrier pigeon station played an important defensive role as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. In the Second World War, it served as a reasonably comfortable safe house for individuals who went into hiding during the occupation. It was certainly more comfortable than the bears' night-time enclosures, or the haylofts in the Predator Gallery and the Primate House, where many others hid. The Predator Gallery, which was designed by the architect G.B. Salm, dates from 1859. Its hay lofts are still wonderfully well preserved. The first Primate House/Aviary was created in 1851-52. It was rebuilt in 1909, using plans drawn up by the architect B.J. Ouëndag. In 2011, it will reopen after extensive restoration that combines the external

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features of Ouëndag's creation with the latest insights in the field of animal-friendly and publicfriendly accommodation. A few years ago, the Giraffe Stable (which dates from 1863) was restored in keeping with the spirit of bygone times. It was subsequently expanded to such an extent that the giraffes – together with zebras and wildebeest – can now frolic around in a wonderfully spacious outdoor enclosure. There is also an impressive 19th century office building, ‘De Volharding’, which initially served as the Ethnographic Museum. A huge aviary has now been added to this structure, providing space for European vultures to glide around on their enormous wings. In this way, Artis is attempting to preserve its monumental past while combining it with insights that are in keeping with a modern zoo. Another example is the Aquarium, which was also the brainchild of architect G.B. Salm and one of the first of its kind in Europe (1882). In addition to the atmospheric Heimans Diorama (created in 1926), it currently houses four impressive, mega-sized tanks, each containing an entire undersea biotope. The Large Museum on the Middenlaan is where Artis first began. In a few years, its historic halls (constructed in 1850-55 by the architect J. van Maurik), which have been closed for more than half a century, will be opened once again. They will be the scene of an exciting new attraction, in which the pioneers of Amsterdam zoo's livestock will also be putting in an appearance.

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The 19th century atmosphere of Artis Royal Zoo pervades the gardens. It derives not only from the presence of twenty monumental buildings, but also from the various statues, authentic larger-than-life Buddhas, garden vases, and other features associated with classically laid-out gardens. Some of the towering trees are even older than Artis itself, as are a number of monuments. Besides its monumental trees, in the spring Artis abounds with numerous varieties of colourful tulips. During the summer months, there is the fragrant rose collection in the Dutch Garden. Throughout the autumn, its many ancient trees are clothed in red and gold, and at the close of the year it offers snowy winter images. Indoors too, there are plants aplenty. In the warm and cosy Butterfly Pavilion, for example, butterflies flutter all around you, against the backdrop of their towering host plants. Artis's penultimate expansion dates from 1877. The very last one, which took place in 1997, involved the former railway site, where giraffes and zebras now roam. Following the Primate House/ Aviary, Artis has plans for the large car park bordering these animal enclosures. This facility will be going underground. The ultimate goal is to create more room for the residents of the venerable Predator Gallery, whose rich and eventful history reflects that of the zoo itself. Photo: Artis/Ronald van Weeren By Henriette Plantenga (Artis Royal Zoo) http://www.artis.nl

P r o fessi o nal Sports Tourism: Promoting Destinations

Sports tourism might represent a niche market, yet it is dynamically developing. Why is it so popular? How can communities utilize its sports tourism potential?

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

The Evolution of Modern Sports Tourism

What Is Sports Tourism? Sports Tourism is defined as a specific travel outside of the usual environment for either passive or active involvement in competitive sport where sport is the prime motivational reason for travel and the touristic or leisure element may act to reinforce the overall experience. Another definition worth noting explains sport tourism as a combination of sports activities and travel. Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

From a sport marketing and sport management perspective, it consists of two broad categories of products: a) sports participation travel (travel for the purpose of participating in a sports, recreation, leisure or fitness activity); and b) sports spectatorial travel (travel for the purpose of spectating sports, recreation, leisure or fitness activities or events). With its remarkable growth, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) recognizes that sports tour-

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ism is now an emerging market. Indeed, over the past twenty years, the interest in sport especially elite sporting events has grown at a phenomenal rate. Sports tourism events at the international, national and regional levels have a double-barreled effect – the direct effect of the attendance of the competitors and/or spectators and accompanying persons, and the indirect effect of the marketing of the destination which lead to the subsequent tourism flows. This indirect effect can be very large – most of the tourism benefits of big sporting events are expected to be of this nature. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced on November 11, 2004 that the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2005 to be the “International Year for Sport and Physical Education” and encouraged all Member States to cultivate the International Year to show the value of sports for peace and development. According to Secretary-General Annan, providing access to physical education may cultivate them in learning the ideas of teamwork and tolerance through experiencing real exhilaration. Objectives of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations have given focus on achieving sports that would help work and build peace.

A Fast Growing Niche Today, tourism is the world’s number one industry while sport is regarded as the number one industry in the leisure sector. Sport is an integral part of all

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s on the visiting golfer and skier or the traveling football, rugby or cricket supporter. In some countries, sport can account for as much as 25 percent of all tourism receipts. Thus, Sports Tourism has started to earn its reputation to be a multi-million dollar business. Trends in tourism over the last decade have shown that sports tourism is emerging as a very significant segment of the global tourist market.

The Worldwide Phenomenon

culture, and while often viewed as a separate activity, it is inextricably linked to tourism. Sport can now be viewed as an attraction within the broader tourism industry. Sports Tourism is emerging as a key component of tourism supply. Major tourism destinations are developing tourism product concepts revolving around pleasure sports. These concepts enable destinations to stand out amongst their competitors and increasing their competitive edge in the international arena, attracting consumers who are keen on getting in touch with nature, and interacting with Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

the community to enjoy more healthy and interactive holidays. Sports Tourism is a multi-billion dollar business, one of the fastest growing areas of the $4.5 trillion global travel and tourism industry. It has become a vast international business attracting media coverage, investment, political interest, traveling participants and spectators. By 2011, travel and tourism is expected to be more than 10 percent of the global domestic product. The economies of cities, regions and even countries around the world are increasingly reliant

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To date, sports and active recreation have become very large and successful industries worldwide. A 1994 European Commission Report of the European Community and Sport estimated that sports industry is responsible for 2.5 percent of world trade. Over the last 10 years, the global sports industry has seen rapid changes and innovations fuelled by a range of driving factors such as the increase in leisure time and spending, the appetite for spectacle and participation, new distribution methods and the deregulation of the broadcast industry. This resulted in worldwide travel mainly for sports purposes. An analysis by The Bureau of Tourism Research recently published in Sports Tourism: an Australian Perspective states that 6 percent of day trips and 5 per cent of overnight trips taken by Australians in Australia, were taken with sport as the primary motivation. This corresponds to expenditure of $1847 million by domestic sports tourists, of which $461 million was spent on day trips and the remaining $1386 million on overnight trips. In a separate study in Australia, sports tourism sector accounts for about 55% of the total tourism market. Across both international and domestic tourism, sports tourism in Australia account for annual expenditure of about $3 billion per annum.

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

In 1998, 37% of Canada’s 73.7 million domestic trips were for sports tourism purposes. In Canada, sport tourists are defined as individuals who traveled and in doing so participated in or attended a sports event during the reference period. Sport tourists account for between 2.5 and 5 million individuals from June to September, July and August being the most popular months for sport tourist activities (15% and 18%). While sport tourism in South Africa is yet to be established, sports tourism (spectator and participant) makes up four percent (4%) of its domestic tourism market. This appeared following the launching of South Africa Sports Tourism (SAST) by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and the Ministry of Sport and Recreation in October 1997, after it specifically identified sports tourism as an avenue for the development and promotion of tourism in its study. Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

In the case of the United States of America, the Travel Industry Association of America found that in the past five years, 38 percent of US adults attended an organized event, competition or tournament as a spectator or participant, while on a trip of 50 miles or more. The British Tourist Authority and English Tourism Board claim as many as 20 percent of tourist trips are for the prime purpose of sports participation, while up to 50 percent of holidays include incidental sports participation. This level of activity is broadly consistent with Canadian data, with the 1998 Canadian Travel Survey finding that 37% of domestic trips that year were for sports-related purposes. (extract from: EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN SPORTS TOURISM, January 26, 2010) http://www.tourism.gov.ph

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P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games: A Lost Chance for Indian Tourism Missed Opportunity

The travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to India's GDP and the government is increasingly supporting its development through investment in infrastructure, promotions and tourism-friendly legislation. In 2009, tourism expenditure accounted for almost 4% of GDP. Delhi's 2010 Commonwealth Games were considered to be an important opportunity for tourism development both in terms of increased tourism flows that they expected to attract and also showcase the attractiveness of the country to tourists and the world. Among the measures taken by the government in preparation for the Games were more favourable

International Arrivals to Indian Cities 2008-2009

The

Indian government aimed to make the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games (3-14 October) an opportunity to show the world the progress it had made and also boost tourism, in the same vein as China did with the Beijing Olympic Games. If they'd met their goal, the chairman of the Organising Committee stated that the Delhi Com-

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monwealth Games 2010 would have been the best Commonwealth Games ever. However, things took a very different turn and the Indian government is accused of inefficiency and corruption. At the time of writing, the participation of several countries hangs in the balance due to the poor state of the facilities and safety concerns.

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;000 people 2008 2009 Delhi 2,339.3 2,374.4 Mumbai 2,056.9 2,087.8 Chennai 2,029.4 2,059.9 Agra 1,610.1 1,634.3 Jaipur 1,477.6 1,499.8 Kolkatta 1,133.7 1,150.7 Hyderabad 789.2 801.0 Bangaluru 596.5 605.5 Trivandrum 598.9 607.9 Goa 351.1 356.4 S o u rce : Eu ro m o n i to r I nte r n at i o n a l

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

International Arrivals to India by purpose of visit 2008-2009 ‘000 people 2008 2009 2008-09 growth Arrivals By Purpose of Visit 5,282.6 5,108.6 -3.3 Business Arrivals 1,990.6 1,953.6 -1.9 Leisure Arrivals 3,292.0 3,154.9 -4.2 Source: Euromonitor International

legislation for foreign direct investments in tourism, the approval of visa-on-arrival regulations (on a pilot basis), the implementation of the Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Scheme (in order to strengthen the travel accommodation offer of the area of Delhi) and the introduction of a law against the harassment of tourists in the country.

Corruption Scandals The organisation of the event was extremely costly for India with an estimated US$6 billion invested in new infrastructure. However, it was also a huge waste of money due to the high level of corruption denounced by the Indian press, as well as by governmental bodies. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), a government watchdog agency of the Indian government, revealed irregularities in 16 Commonwealth Games projects, resulting in large gains

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for contractors and the delivery of poor infrastructure.

Controversial Prospects

Inbound arrivals to India recorded a 3% decline in 2009 due to the global economic crisis and to terrorism concerns following the Mumbai terror attacks the previous year. Prospects for the next five years appeared to be more positive at the beginning of 2010 following the end of the global downturn and due to expected fast growing arrivals from Japan, Latin America and the Middle East. Positive forecasts were supported also by significant investment in promotional activities by the Indian government in emerging markets, in particular. The success of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was, however, integral to this promotional strategy. The bad publicity surrounding the games, with safety and security concerns running high, is caus-

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ing the opposite effect. The controversy is expected to have a negative impact on tourism to India in 2010 with demand not providing the anticipated spike. The front page headlines and image of the collapsed footbridge outside the main stadium that were beamed around the world will be hard to overcome in the run up to the Games. The lasting legacy of the event is something the country will have to tackle after the Games are over as it attempts to rebuild its global brand image. It also bears a useful lesson for all countries lined up for high profile sporting events – and those seeking to do so – from London, Glasgow, Rio, Sochi to Doha. By Angelo Rossini (Travel and Tourism Analyst, Euromonitor International) http://www.euromonitor.com

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

Sports Tourism: Tough Legacy or Golden Jackpot?

ports tourism – one of the industry’s fastest-growing sectors – can be an absolute minefield, Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market – the premier global event for the travel industry – claimed. Although the industry is starting to discuss sports tourism more than ever before, she said that the difficult and sometimes controversial questions about sports tourism are simply not being addressed. Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

“Undoubtedly sports tourism is a tough legacy for everyone,” she said. “But the myth is that those who successfully bid for a major sporting event automatically win the golden jackpot. It can be an absolute minefield.” “The rewards are indeed extremely high, but so are the risks. This has been clearly illustrated by the problems surrounding the Commonwealth Games in India.”

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Jeffery said that World Travel Market, among the first to raise the profile of sports tourism within the global industry, is setting out to dispel many of the commonly held views about the sector at an important keynote debate on the opening day, Monday, November 8 at ExCeL, London. A high-level panel of experienced sports tourism experts will examine the dangers that can often cause more harm than good. Speakers include: Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa Minister of Tourism; Taleb Rifai, Secretary General UNWTO; Marc Bennett, Head of Sports Division, TUI; Chris Foy, Head of 2012 Games Unit, Visit Britain; Tom Jenkins, Executive Director, European Tour Operators Association (ETOA); and Richard Shipway, Lecturer in sports tourism at Bournemouth University. The session will be moderated by former British middle-distance runner and the man who turned around the finances of UK Athletics, David Moorecroft. “Lessons have been learned from major international sporting events such as the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, a financial disaster when the city faced debts for many years afterwards,” said Jeffery. “The costs of staging an international sporting event can be prohibitive; venues are often not properly utilized afterwards and sometimes fall into disrepair.” “Unless a destination/region has a long-term business plan, integrating the sporting event into its strategic vision over 20 or even 30 years, as well

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

as ensuring that the opportunities pre and post a sporting event are fulfilled and measured exhaustively, they are unlikely to reap the considerable benefits.” “There is also little understanding that not only is this an opportunity for host cities, but also for other towns and cities throughout that country to dovetail other tourism events, competitions, sports, festivals, and promotions to maximize the surge of incoming visitors.”

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Jeffery said that there are other issues, too, which are equally troubling. “Ticket pricing, the expensive acquisition of corporate hospitality that can exclude the public and overseas visitors, merchandising and, of course, security are just some of the issues, which need greater discussion and transparency.” The free debate is aimed at agents/operators/ hotels/venues involved in sports tourism, those who are thinking of trying to get involved in this lucrative sector, potential host cities, national tourist boards, and towns/cities in countries that have already won bids to stage major international events. Sports Tourism: "It’s a Tough Game – but Some Win" is at World Travel Market on Monday, November 8, 1500-1630 hours, Platinum Suite 4, ExCeL London. The conference supports World Travel Market’s first-ever Sports Pavilion, which has some of the world’s most iconic stadia exhibiting including Wembley, Lord’s (Cricket), Wimbledon (Tennis), and Twickenham (Rugby). English Premier League teams exhibiting including Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. http://www.wtmlondon.com

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P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

The Philippines: Sport to Boost Local Tourism

less than Hong Kong-based Action Asia declares the Philippines as having all the ingredients to become one of the world’s great adventure travel destinations. The Philippine landscape is a natural haven for adventure activities

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and sports tourism. The 7,107 islands boast and offer every imaginable way for adventure seekers. Yet, the country is still an unknown quantity outside Asia. While the country has already started to realize that sports tourism is one ideal avenue to spur tourism growth in the country, it has not yet done its homework of developing the said sector. As an initial step to raise awareness on the opportunities sport tourism may bring to the country, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and participated in by the country’s sports and travel trade suppliers organized in November 7-30, 2003 the 1st Sports Tourism and Adventure Travel Show. Nevertheless, no concrete plan or follow-up has been done to sustain its development mainly due to lack of financial support. The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), which is the country’s lead agency tasked to develop the tourism industry in the Philippines, has neither the policy nor operational influence over the policies or programs of the sports industry being administered by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), much less the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), an autonomous entity that sanctions the country’s participation in international competitions. The Philippines has played host to a number of international sporting events. Sadly, sports tourism opportunities, and especially the tourism benefits,

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are sometimes lost or not maximized in all these hosted events because the linkages between the sports and tourism sectors are not yet established. Sporting activities, especially events, have historically been organized by sporting organizations for purely sporting purposes. Maximizing the tourism potential of the events has often not been a major consideration for the organizers, representing a potential failure of the market. Further, many sporting organizations rely on volunteers, and may not have well developed business or organizational skills or experience. Both of these factors can lead to lost tourism opportunities. To overcome this, better linkages need to be established between the sporting and tourism groups at all levels – regional and national. Senator Richard Gordon, former tourism secretary, has seen the need to strengthen this sector. In his proposed bill the realignment of the Philippine Sports Commission under the Department of Tourism is proposed. It underscores the importance of sports competition in promoting tourism. Like many niche tourism sectors, the sports tourism sector suffers from a lack of reliable data on which to base strategic decision-making. Even data, which might help measure the size of the sector, is not readily available. The Arrival/Departure Survey Card, a research tool used by the Department of Tourism in ascertaining arrivals and factors associated to tourism for its decision-making, does not still consider sports in its checklist. Thus far, the country has no existing data on the extent or magnitude of the sports tourism and the economic impact

P rof e s sional : Sp or t s Tour i sm : P romot ing D e st inat i on s

it brings. Even the Philippine Sports Commission has no data on the extent of the sports industry, how many it employs and how much it contributes to the economy. Certainly, there are still a lot of issues and impediments which need to be addressed, namely: coordination of the sports tourism industry, education and training, regulatory issues (e.g. visas, customs) on the industry, infrastructure requirements of the industry, research and data collection requirements and evaluation of the economic benefits of sports tourism. The Philippines, by all means, can do so much in terms of developing the said market. Concrete

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mechanisms are yet to be institutionalized to maximize the sports tourism market. While other countries have started and in the process of developing strategies for their respective sports tourism industry, the country is still at a standstill in one niche market where we have all the potentials to compete. After all, the tourism industry is more than just destinations but innovative marketing as well. (extract from: EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN SPORTS TOURISM, January 26, 2010) http://www.tourism.gov.ph

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press release services

ETHICAL

Travel Trade Discovering Fair Trade

Tourism based on fair trade principles has become a fast growing niche. Explore the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s countries responsibly. Learn how to be fair!

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

Ethical Tourism – Getting Fair on Holiday

©Sarah Woodrow

Judy Murchie is well-travelled. Africa, in particular, has got under the 31-year-old’s skin, and recent trips include the well-trodden route overland from Nairobi to Cape Town. “It was great fun,” says Murchie, a studio manager in the UK, “but touristy. I felt I wasn’t really seeing the country.” So a year ago, Murchie signed up to a trekking trip in Ethiopia with a difference: led by a local guide, she hiked between villages, slept in comfortable, purpose-built huts and got to know the locals.

See First-Hand Where the Money Goes “The scenery was breathtaking,” she says. “We stayed in villages and talked to the people there Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

about their lives. One night, they celebrated the birth of a baby, and we danced with them all night. It was an amazing experience.” Better still, Murchie could see first-hand where the money from her trip was going. “Through the income from hosting tourists like me, one village had built a grain bank,” she says. This is ethical – or responsible – tourism at its best: holidays that benefit both local communities and tourists. The trip that Murchie took is run by TESFA (Community-tourism-ethiopia.com), who support and train local communities in Ethiopia, enabling them to host small groups of tourists in their villages and act as guides. Similar low-impact initiatives are springing up all over the world, but whether it’s India, Thailand or Kenya, the concept is the same: local communities manage trips themselves, earn money doing so and spend the profits where they choose. And tourists like Murchie get an authentic holiday. Package holidays involving a far-flung beach and a resort are less beneficial. Hotels built on prime beach-front land can displace communities, wrecking their homes, livelihoods and traditional ways of life – and lead to rising inequality, crime, greed and corruption.

From Ethical to Fair Trade Tourism All too often, locals never see tourists’ money, as most of it goes directly to the multi-national corporations that own the resorts, or to the tour companies who arrange the trips. From 2000 to 2005, the

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money flowing into Africa from tourism more than doubled from $10.5 billion to $21.3 billion, yet poverty levels remain acute. “Many poor countries encourage investment from the big tourism developers by granting them huge tax breaks and selling off state-owned land for cheap. Small businesses have to compete with this, and pay higher prices for food and property,” says Tricia Barnett, director of Tourism Concern (Tourismconcern.org.uk), a UK charity that campaigns against exploitation in tourism. “What’s more, the jobs available to local people in the major resorts are typically menial and poorly paid”. In recognition that tourism will only tackle poverty if these unfair terms of trade are addressed, Tour-

Fair Trade Fair trade is a financial relationship between producers, sellers, and consumers based on the principle of equity within the exchange of goods. Equity is achieved via creating a platform for trade that is transparent and therefore accountable for the just treatment of all producers. This includes providing market avenues that allow marginalized producers the opportunity to sell, ensuring humane working conditions, and all the while protecting environmental and cultural factors that play into the production process. Wikipedia.org

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

ism Concern has for several years been working with other organisations towards the development of an internationally recognised and independently audited ‘fair trade’ label for tourism. Their efforts are underpinned by the enormous growth of fair trade markets in Europe, bolstered by greater public awareness of trade justice issues. There are literally hundreds of ‘eco’ or ‘sustainability’ labels relating to tourism. However, most of these are only recognised locally or regionally, and few, if any, are independently audited and monitored.

Fair Trade Principles A fair trade tourism label would clearly signify that a hotel or tour operator is committed to fair trade principles, including fair pay and working conditions, fair purchasing and sharing of benefits, and respect for human rights and the environment. “Such a label would enable consumers to go on holiday in the knowledge that a fair share of their money was reaching the employees, service providers and local people in their holiday destination”, says Barnett. In fact, Fair Trade Tourism in South Africa (FTTSA) is a not-for-profit organisation that has Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

already developed a fair trade certification scheme for South African tourism products. FTTSA’s work will serve as in important test case for fair trade tourism the world over. In the meantime, even those who wish to indulge in the comfort of an all-inclusive holiday can do their bit, however small. Use local transport; learn a few local words; ask for towels and linen to be changed less; leave tips in cash; ask before you take photographs; and keep air-conditioning to a minimum. Or, simpler still: “Just talk to your waiter or cleaner,” says Barnett. “Find out about their lives – and it may just alter your worldview.” In other words, ethical tourism, at its simplest, is a state of mind. It means being aware of the country you’re in, treading lightly, interacting, communicating and behaving appropriately. How do you find good ethical holidays? The Ethical Travel Guide, published by Tourism Concern, or Responsibletravel.com are good places to start. If you choose your next holiday wisely, and you never know – it might just be the best trip of your life. By Hannah Booth http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk

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E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

Laos’ Fair Fare

Ngeun scenery

aos opened its doors to tourists in the late 1980s, and within years trekkers began searching for the next off-the-beaten-track experience. They started heading into the mountains in northwest Luang Namtha Province with untrained guides, who led them to unsuspecting ethnic villages in remote locations. The results were often disastrous. Visitors stumbled over cultural taboos and villagers were ill-prepared to greet them. The government quickly realised this was the wrong path for the country’s tourism. They approached UNESCO hoping to develop a propoor, community-based tourism (CBT) model that would benefit the villagers. With funding from New Zealand, a group of development practitioners embarked on a mission in Luang Namtha’s Nam Ha National Protected Area

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(NPA) to devise a solution. The “Nam Ha Ecotourism Project” kicked off in 1999, and its success earned the United Nations Development Award for Poverty Alleviation in 2001. The model uses a practical approach that guarantees locals directly benefit. In fact, they run the show, entering into cooperative agreements to act as caretakers of the trails and attractions. Trained provincial guides lead trekkers to ethnic villages, which provide food and lodging, and present their lifestyles and traditions. Local guides delve deeper into the forest and explain its natural products. So where does the tour fee go? For starters, more than 70% lands straight into the villagers’ and guides’ pockets, as trekkers move along the trail. Some 7% goes into village funds, which have been set up for education and health. Taxes and trekking

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permits take up another 6%, and the Provincial Tourism Department receives 5% for organising the tours. And the tour agents? They net some 3-4%, while any profit goes to marketing and maintaining the trails. Today, Luang Namtha offers more than 20 treks with overnight village stays that follow the Nam Ha model, and the province is not alone. With more than 20 NPAs covering some 15% of Laos, and most of the rest carpeted by forest, some 12 of the country’s 18 provinces offer multi-day CBT adventures. They can include longboat rides, elephant treks, mountain biking, and rafting, and more provinces are coming online. The Nam Ha models has also been adapted to meet another side of fair trade travel in Laos…the mainstreaming of sustainable, responsible tourism practices as stated in the Vientiane Declaration at the 2009 World Ecotourism Conference. In other words, Laos is creating a balance in fair trade travel by attracting more than just young trekkers and hardcore adventure travellers. Shouldn’t flash-packers and baby boomers also have a crack at pro-poor, CBT by simply stepping out of a car or van? Take “The Tea Caravan Trail” being developed by the Lao National Tourism Administration and the Asian Development Bank’s Sustainable Tourism Development Project. The Tea Caravan Trail – Lao Route 3 –follows an ancient trade route that winds from Bokeo Province’s Mekong riverside border checkpoint with Chiang Rai, Thailand, to the Route 13 turnoff at Luang Namtha Town to Yunnan, China. And all 10 highlights along the route aim to benefit the locals. At the southern end stands Houei Xai Town’s 100-year-old French colonial garrison, Fort Carnot. The northernmost highlight, Nam Dee Waterfalls in Luang Namtha Town’s outskirts, is a five-minute

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

Boatracing teams

Nam Don resurgence

walk from a Lanten village, where visitors can shop for handicrafts. In between, ethnic villages produce and sell woven goods, rattan basketry, and bamboo paper. The list also includes Bor Kung Nature Park’s springs and trails, 700-year-old Vat Mahaphot temple ruins, and Nam Eng Cave – one of Laos’ longest mapped underground mazes. Today, plenty of the nation’s natural, cultural, and historical attractions and activities can be reached by road. The Northern Heritage Route takes travellers from Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars and further west to Viengxay’s Hidden Cave City, with ethnic villages, waterfalls, hot springs, and CBT treks along the way. Konglor Cave, a 7.5-kilometre tunnel navigated by locally operated boats in central Laos’ Khammouane Province, is easily accessed by car or

CBT trek, and the village offers overnight stays in a simple lodge. Further south, The Savannakhet Historic Trail presents five walking-biking-driving, self-guided and/or guided circuits, which take in some 50 locally maintained sites, and the province’s eco-guide unit offers eight CBT trekking and cycling programs with overnight home stays. Wherever one travels in Laos, fare trade flourishes. It is almost impossible to avoid, and it all reverts back to the Nam Ha Ecotourism Project’s pioneers.

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By Bernie Rosenbloom (bernie.rosenbloom@gmail.com) http://www.ecotourismlaos.com http://www.stdplaos.com/web-based

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E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

Fair Trade and Harvesting Fair Trade Tourism Transfair USA as another way of ensuring that travelers hear about fair trade from those planting the seeds and harvesting the benefits for themselves, their communities and they Fair Trade certified cooperativies.

illions of farmers around the world are facing poverty and starvation because global crop prices have plummeted to all-time lows in recent years. This worldwide crisis is causing problems such as malnutrition and loss of family farms in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and it has even led to increased drug cultivation in some countries like Colombia and Peru. In today’s world economy, where profits often rule and small-scale producers are left out of the bargaining process, farmers, craft producers, and other workers are often left without resources or hope for their future. Fair Trade helps exploited producers escape from this cycle and gives them a way to maintain their traditional lifestyles with dignity. Fair Trade is an alternative. Fair Trade guarantees farmers a fair price for their harvest and means community development, education, health, and environmental stewardship for farmers around the world.

Sharing the Story of Fair Trade Given this reality and the fact that the tourism industry has seen a growth in both “voluntourism” and also in philanthropy based travel, in 2003, inspired Reality Tours to launch our first Fair Harvest tour to share the story of fair trade with travelers, to offer a service learning opportunity, to support local community based tourism initiatives as a promoter of socially responsible travel, to meet with and exchange with fair trade certified cooperatives Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

So Why Does Fair Trade Matter?

and their farmers, and lastly to inspire our alumni to return committed to supporting the fair trade movement in their communities around the world and to support our Global Exchange campaigns and Fair Trade craft stores! In fact, Reality Tours felt compelled to expand the awareness of our tourism offerings that in 2010 we decided to launch a collaborative partnership with

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Why would travelers be interested in the Fair Trade Story? Global Exchange Reality Tours highlight the importance of fair trade on primary commodity crops like textiles, cocoa, coffee, olives, and tea and contextualize the debate between “fair trade” and “free trade” crops in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Ecuador, Palestine, India, Nepal, Rwanda and many other countries. We provide the opportunity for our participants to learn firsthand how fair trade producers receive a fair price – a living wage; that forced labor and exploitative child labor (and modern day slavery) are not allowed; that buyers and producers trade under direct long-term relationship; producers have access to financial and technical assistance; sustainable production techniques are encouraged and mandated; working conditions are healthy and safe; equal employment opportunities are provided for all; and all aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability. Reality Tours is honored to highlight how the Fair Trade system benefits over 800,000+ farmers organized into cooperatives and unions in over 48 countries. While the complexities and the beauties

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

of each country are unique, what fair trade means for communities is often very similar. When one sees how the proceeds of Fair Trade is supporting basic education and health care, funding the infrastructure of the community, and amplifying the dignity of communities who get to stay on their land, Reality Tours knows that our participants return from their journey inspired because of alternative, educational tourism. We illuminate how Fair Trade has helped farmers provide for their families’ basic needs, invest in community development and also provide the opportunity for these farmers to share how there are still selling most of their crop outside of the Fair Trade system because not enough companies are buying at Fair Trade prices. We intend for our Reality Tours alumni to help increase the demand for Fair Trade among companies, retailers, and consumers in their communities.

A Cup of Fair Coffee? Let’s take a commodity or two, as an example. In terms of coffee, the United States consumes oneNov emb er, 2 0 1 0

fifth of all the world’s coffee, making it the largest consumer in the world. But few Americans realize that agriculture workers in the coffee industry often toil in what can be described as “sweatshops in the fields.” Many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt. Fair Trade is a viable solution to this crisis in Nicaragua, assuring consumers that the coffee we drink was purchased under fair conditions. To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria; paying a minimum price per pound, providing much needed credit to farmers, and providing technical assistance such as help transitioning to organic farming. Fair Trade for coffee farmers in Matalgapa means community development, health, education, and environmental stewardship. Our Fair Harvest programs to Nicaragua provide the historical context for this social and economic vulnerability and absolutely impact people’s purchasing decisions. What if that one-fifth of global coffee drinkers put their purchases where their values were? That would have global repercussions!

cocoa plantations in the north of the country. A June 15, 2001 document released by the Geneva, Switzerland-based International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that trafficking in children is widespread in West Africa. (For ILO definitions of these labor violations, see ILO Convention 182 on Child Labor ILO Convention 29 on Forced Labor.) The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) followed up these reports with an extensive study of cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, directly involving over 4,500 producers. The results were released in August 2002. An estimated 284,000 children were working on cocoa farms in hazardous tasks such as using machetes and applying pesticides and insecticides without the necessary protective equipment. Many of these children worked on family farms, the children of cocoa farmers who are so trapped in poverty they have to make the hard choice to keep their children out of school to work. The IITA also reported that about 12,500 children working on

Sweet, Sweet Chocolate

FGlobal Exchange is an International Human Rights Organization based out of San Francisco. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that works to build people to people ties through international exchange on our Reality Tours, through Speaking Events and Literature, and through our Human Rights, Economic Justice and Corporate Accountability Campaigns. Our Reality Tours program offers alternatives to conventional tourism by organizing socially responsible, educational and alternative travel programs that truly build relationships while benefiting our hosts. Reality Tours offers over 100 inspirational open and customized group tour departures a year to over 35 countries around the world.

Next, let’s look at our beloved chocolate. The six largest cocoa producing countries are the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, and Cameroon. Cocoa has especially significant effects on the economy and the population in these countries. For example, in Ghana, cocoa accounts for 40% of total export revenues, and two million farmers are employed in cocoa production. The Ivory Coast is the world’s largest cocoa producer, providing 43% of the world’s cocoa. In 2000, a report by the US State Department concluded that in recent years approximately 15,000 children aged 9 to 12 have been sold into forced labor on cotton, coffee and

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Global Exchange

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e cocoa farms had no relatives in the area, a warning sign for trafficking. These statics have only grown over the years. These child laborers face arduous work, as cacao pods must be cut from high branches with long-handled machetes, split open, and their beans scooped out. Children who are involved in the worst labor abuses come from countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo — nations that are even more destitute than the impoverished Ivory Coast.

Vicious Circle of Poverty Parents in these countries sell their children to traffickers believing that they will find honest work once they arrive in Ivory Coast and then send their earnings home. But as soon as they are separated from their families, the young boys are made to work for little or nothing. The children work long and hard – they head into the fields at 6:00 in the morning and often do not finish until 6:30 at night. These children typically lack the opportunity for education, leaving them with no way out of their cycle of poverty. The IITA noted that 66% of child cocoa workers in the Ivory Coast did not attend school. About 64% of children on cocoa farms are under age 14, meaning that the loss of an education comes at an early age for the majority of children on cocoa farms. Producer income remains low because major chocolate and cocoa processing companies have refused to take any steps to ensure stable and sufficient prices for cocoa producers. World cocoa prices fluctuate widely and have been well below production costs in the last decade. Though cocoa prices have shown moderate increases in the past few years, cocoa producers remain steeped in debt

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accumulated when prices were below production costs. Producers typically also get only half the world price, as they must use exploitative middlemen to sell their crop. The effects of insufficient cocoa income have been exacerbated by deregulation of agriculture in West Africa, which abolished commodity boards across the region, leaving small farmers at the mercy of the market. This economic crisis forced farmers to cut their labor costs. The outcome was a downward spiral for labor in the region, and a surge in reports of labor abuses ranging from farmers pulling children out of school to work on family farms to outright child trafficking and slavery. These small farmers and their children remained trapped in a cycle of poverty, without hope for sufficient income or access to basic education or health care.

Yes, We Can Change It! For years, US chocolate manufacturers have said they are not responsible for the conditions on cocoa plantations since they don’t own them. But the $13 billion chocolate industry is heavily consolidated, with just two firms — Hershey’s and M&M/ Mars – controlling two-thirds of the US chocolate candy market. Surely, these global corporations have the power and the ability to reform problems in the supply chain. What they lack is the will. At Global Exchange, we know there is a solution – supporting Fair Trade cocoa and chocolate. Fair Trade chocolate and cocoa products are marked with the “Fair Trade Certified” and Fair Trade Federation labels. Fair Trade cocoa comes from Belize, Bolivia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Nicaragua,

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and Peru. Thus Reality Tours set up our Cocoa Fair Harvest program in the Dominican Republic. Last year, Global Exchange encouraged chocolate lovers from around the world to join with our local partners from Grupo CONACADO to explore benefits of Fair Trade cocoa and sustainable harvest, renewable technology in the Dominican Republic. There is an opportunity for those of us in the tourism industry to make a positive change in the world. Tourism can be a force for good. We can confront industry norms of “capital flight” and leakage. We can ensure tourism receipts stay to benefit the local economies of our hosts. We can highlight the stories, the struggles and aspirations of the communities we visit. We can be a force of fairness. By Malia Everette (Director Reality Tours, Global Exchange) http://www.globalexchange.org

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

South Africa: Fair Trade in Tourism T

ourism is the world’s largest industry, employing some 240 million people worldwide and contributing nearly ten percent to the global domestic product (GDP). Africa’s share of the global tourism market currently stands at less than five percent (UN-WTO, 2008), leading many in the continent to call for a more aggressive approach to tourism development as a means of spurring revenue, employment and investment. South Africa is no exception: international arrivals to the country reached 9.07 million in 2007, up by 8.3% on the previous year. This compares to less than 3 million international arrivals in 1992. Continued growth in the range of ten percent per annum is projected for the next decade. With the growth in tourism, there are benefits to be gained and costs that have to be borne. Benefits include more employment, foreign exchange earnings, and the like; while the costs include such things as environmental degradation, social exploitation, etc. Faced with such gains and losses associated with tourism development, issues of responsibility must be incorporated into the tourism industry. Responsible tourism has thus emerged in recent years as a strategy that gives due weight to economic, social as well as environmental impacts and seeks to maximise the benefits for local destination stakeholders. And across the globe there has been a growing interest in making tourism as responsible as it can be. In South Africa, efforts towards responsible tourism started to appear in government policy with the

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advent of the 1996 White Paper on the “Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa”. This White Paper explicitly recognised and promoted the concept of responsible tourism. Then, there was a multi-stakeholder process in 2001-2002 aimed at producing national policy Guidelines for Responsible Tourism. The South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) coordinated this effort, and the UK Department for International

History of Fair Trade The Fair Trade movement started in Europe in the 1960s to help producers in developing countries receive a better deal for international trade in commodities and other goods. Since then Fair Trade has grown in influence and power. The movement has created trading partnerships and ethical trading initiatives. It has improved working conditions, remuneration and market access for producers in the global South. In 1988 the first Fair Trade label was introduced in the Netherlands, and since then consumer demand for labeled products has grown dramatically in Europe, North America and the Pacific Rim. Worldwide consumers spent over £1.6 billion on Fair Trade certified products in 2007. This represents a 47% increase on the previous year and means that over 1.5 million producers and workers in 58 developing countries now benefit from Fair Trade sales. Fairtrade.org.uk

E T H IC A L : Trav el Trad e D i s cov e r ing Fair Trad e

Development (DFID) provided the funding. Most recently, in 2003, a Responsible Tourism Handbook was released, published by IUCN-South Africa on behalf of DEAT, which is a manifestation of the rising interest in responsible tourism in South Africa. Fair Trade in Tourism is about ensuring that the people whose land, natural resources, labour, knowledge and culture are used for tourism activities, actually benefit from tourism. In 1999 Tourism Concern, a London based advocacy organisation, initiated an International Network on Fair Trade in Tourism which focused mainly on research, advocacy, and information sharing. At the Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

same time, a Swiss NGO, Arbeitskreis Tourismus & Entwicklung (AKTE), a tourism and development working group, began to investigate the principles and modalities that would underpin Fair Trade in tourism. On 13 June 2002, the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certification programme was officially launched in South Africa, marking the first time in the history of the fair trade movement that a trademark or label for the tourism sector had been created. http://www.fairtourismsa.org.za

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S PA

Airport Pampering for Weary Traveler

How to enjoy the delay of your airplane? Try airport spas offering a range of spa and wellness services including chair massages, oxygen therapy or manicure.

SPA : Air p or t Pamp e r ing for We ar y Trav el e r

Quick Spa Treatments during Layovers

irport spas are becoming more popular these days. While airport spas might not offer all the amenities of a day spa, they can be relaxing. Think about it. What are you suppose to do during those long layovers or flight delays? Why not relax and get a spa treatment? Airport spas usually offer quick spa treatments so that you can get on with your flight without being delayed. In addition to Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

offering some of the normal spa treatments, airport spas offer some modified spa treatments. Here is a list of the spa treatments you will find at airport spas. • Chair massage – Everybody has seen a chair massage and we are not talking about the vibrating chairs that you put your quarters into. A chair massage at an airport spa consists of

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The first airport spa was created on November 17, 2000 at Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal C located in Newark, New Jersey, USA. Wi k i p e d i a . o rg

you leaning forward in a chair and placing your face in a special cut out. The massage therapist then gives you a back massage. During a chair massage you are fully clothed. Chair massages are very popular because this will relax people that are stressed out about flying. • Oxygen therapy – Perhaps a trendy spa treatment, airport spas do offer oxygen therapy. This is simply when you sit down and inhale oxygen for a set period of time. The oxygen can be scented both for odor and medical reasons. • Manicures/Pedicures – Some of the airport spas do offer manicures and pedicures for those that are on longer delays. • Foot reflexology – Heck you already have to take your shoes off to get through security why not get a foot rub at the same time. Those are the most popular spa treatments at airport spas. Of course the chair massage is the most popular of those. There are two main ways that airport spas are accessed – member clubs and public areas. In member clubs only certain people are able to access the airport spa. These people could be frequent flyers or first class seat holders. In public areas everybody in the airport can use the airport spa features. http://www.bestdayspareviews.com

SPA : Air p or t Pamp e r ing for We ar y Trav el e r

Airport Spa: Relax for a Few Minutes

et’s face it – we all dread going to the airport these days. With longer lines at security, overbooked flights and extensive delays, it is not surprising that what starts out as a dream trip can quickly turn sour before you even board your plane. Thankfully, weary travelers can now find some soothing relief from all of this frustration and stress.

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Airport spas are opening in terminals all over the world, offering a peaceful oasis amidst the wild frenzy of people on the go. This unique concept began with XpresSpa, the world leader in airport spas. The very first XpresSpa transformed the space of a closed smokers’ lounge in John F. Kennedy airport in New York into an atmo-

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sphere of peace and tranquility – effectively replacing an unhealthy habit with a healthy one. Now with 28 locations over 2 different continents and many more to come, XpresSpa provides its wide range of relaxing services to travelers all over the globe. Although XpresSpas are located within the hurried environment of the airport, the atmosphere does not suffer a busied, hectic tone. Golden wood paneling covers the walls and bamboo plants line the open spaces. Relaxing music lingers in the air and invites guests in to the serene environment. From there, the traveler can enjoy one of the renowned XpresSpa Massage Lounger Chairs or peruse the many services for one that suits his or her fancy. Services include massage, nail care and skin care, with available amenities like waxing. All locations are staffed with trained massage therapists able to give heavenly massages that will release stress and tension built up from the busiest of lives. Neck and back massage is a popular choice and can range from 10 minutes to 30 minutes in length, depending on the traveler’s schedule. Full body massages, with a focus on chronic patterns of tension, pamper those with more time – especially those with a long layover between flights – and are performed in a private room. Guests often take advantage of XpresSpa’s facial treatments after a long business trip leaves them little time to manage a healthy skin regimen. Professional skin care treatments are available at every XpresSpa and range from 20 to 60 minutes in length. Deep cleansing, aromatherapy facials use herbal essential oils and leave skin smooth and radiant for arrival. XpresSpa’s seaweed facials use a honey and milk mask infused with a seaweed serum rich with vitamins, minerals and proteins, to revitalize skin. As add-ons to the facials, XpresSpa has a number of collagen and organic herbal masks to boost skin metabolism, while rejuvenating and firming the entire face.

SPA : Air p or t Pamp e r ing for We ar y Trav el e r

A busy lifestyle leaves many frequent travelers with damaged nails, making the XpresSpa signature Mani-Xpress and Pedi-Xpress a very popular treatment. The Mani-Xpress and Pedi-Xpress are designed for men and women in a hurry; each is a complete nail care service including filing, buffing, cuticle maintenance and polish, all done quickly and with care. The Mani-Pure and Pedi-Pure both include an additional exfoliating and softening scrub in and a luxurious massage. The most luxurious services are the Deluxe Mani-Pure and Deluxe Pedi-Pure with purifying and hydrating masks included in each treatment. In addition to the multitude of services available, XpresSpa also offers a number of exclusive products designed for travel, massage and gifts including everything from neck pillows to ease flight discomfort to decorative candles for your home. And Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

spas are not just for women either! Since more than half of their clientele are men, XpresSpa has designed a number of services that cater specifically to the needs of men including the Gentleman’s Facial, which helps soothe razor-burned skin and provides deep-cleansing and toning. The future is bright for airport spas all over the world, bringing relaxation to tens of thousands of travelers each year. XpresSpa continues to lead the way with more spas opening in more countries, each providing treatments at the same level of service, whether the traveler is in Amsterdam, Netherlands or Atlanta, Georgia, USA. So, if you find yourself feeling worn out while waiting for your flight, look around… there is probably an XpresSpa just waiting to melt away that stress! http://www.xpresspa.com

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SPA : Air p or t Pamp e r ing for We ar y Trav el e r

Airport Pampering: The British Way F

rom oxygen sessions and nail bars to hotstone massages and teeth whitening, there are a host of services to help your customers relax at the airport.

Spa Heathrow is the ultimate chill-out zone, with a huge variety of spas, health studios and beauty sanctuaries. The Be Relax spa in Terminal 5 offers everything from 10-minute manicures and oxygen treatments to seated and table massages, pedicures and longer “me-time” experiences. For a room with a “moo”, check your Upper Class and Gold Card clients into Virgin Atlantic’s Cowshed spa at Heathrow or Gatwick. The latter looks out over an internal rock garden, while the Heathrow spa is hidden behind a waterfall. Travellers can relax in the hydro spa pool and sauna or enjoy a massage, manicure or pedicure. There is also a St Tropez tanning booth to kick start the bronzing process. British Airways’ premium passengers can enjoy Elemis Travel Spas in its lounges at Heathrow’s Terminals 3 and 5. Complimentary 15-minute treatments include facials to combat dehydration during flying, massages, foot massages and hand re-energisers. At Terminal 4, Etihad’s premium customers can enjoy revitalising 15-minute facials, plus realignment and hot-stone massages to ease away muscular tensions. The wellness centre in the SkyTeam lounge, also in Terminal 4, provides Jet Airways and Alitalia pasNov emb er, 2 0 1 0

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sengers with showers and full-body massage chairs. A vegetal living wall by botanist Patrick Blanc adds to the calming experience. Manchester’s new Terminal 1 has a Be Relax spa and an Escape Lounge with a treatment room, where beauticians provide facials, manicures and massages. Entry costs £15 for adults and £7.50 for children aged between two and 11.

Oxygen Bar Help reduce jet-lag with a 10-minute session of pure oxygen from a disposable headset in the SkyTeam lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 4, or at the Be Relax spa at Manchester.

Massage Automated massage chairs at Birmingham and Edinburgh provide three minutes of kneading, rolling and tapping in shiatsu style. They cost £1 at Edinburgh. Travellers at Edinburgh are spoilt for choice when it comes to massages, as OHM Therapies offers Indian head massages, aromatherapy massages and reiki healing.

Nails and Beauty Pre-flight hand, nail and beauty treatments are available at the Cocoon Beauty Sanctuary at Heathrow Terminal 1. A 20-minute beauty treatment will set guests back £15, but is redeemable against product purchases, as is the Dr LeWinn’s hand treatment. The Beauty Centre, also in Terminal 1, offers complimentary consultations and facials in its treatment room. Massages and beauty treatments and facials are available at the Clarins Studio in the south terminal at Gatwick. The Manicure Lounge at Leeds Bradford offers a range of express manicures as well as nail extensions, repairs and rejuvenation treatments.

SPA : Air p or t Pamp e r ing for We ar y Trav el e r the Radisson Edwardian Heathrow, with its Pegasus spa, starts at £38.50. The operator can also book Gatwick hotels with spas. The Otium Health & Leisure Club at the Thistle East Midlands hotel has a swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms and gym. A range of beauty treatments and massages are available.

Champagne Shower

Teeth Whitening A 20-minute teeth-whitening service is available from qualified dentists at Birmingham. Smile Company has five chairs in Terminal 1 and the pre-bookable service costs £99. Richard Gill, Birmingham airport’s head of market development, says: “This procedure offers huge savings over normal dental clinic prices and we are delighted to be one of the first airports to have a major trading outlet.”

Pampering The deluxe spa at the Sofitel London Heathrow, which has direct access to Terminal 5, offers jetlag specials such as the “Skin Brightener Facial” and “Regenerating & Firming Eye Treatment” to relieve tired and puffy eyes. Superbreak offers an overnight stay at the Sofitel London Heathrow from £64.50 per person on a room-only basis. A night at

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Shower yourself – not literally – with a champagne package from Lounge Pass. Commissionable packages, which include a glass or bottle of bubbly, start at £22. Airport lounge entry costs from £13.50.

Overseas Airports Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok: Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Spa for premium clients offers a sauna, steam rooms and a variety of traditional body, neck and foot massages. Helsinki-Vantaa: Sweat out a stopover in the four saunas at Finnair’s Via Spa, located in the airport’s Via Lounge. Choose from an Alps spruce, stone, steam or a traditional Finnish sauna with views of the runway. Naturopathic treatments have been designed with transit passengers in mind. There is also a cold-water paddling pool and a mineral water pool to alleviate travel fatigue and the effects of jetlag. Access is free to Finnair Plus Platinum cardholders and €45 for the general public. Paris-Charles de Gaulle: Air France’s La Premiere lounge in Terminal 2E offers premium passengers

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a complimentary 30-minute pre-flight facial, body treatment or massage. Amsterdam Schiphol: A second XpresSpa salon opened earlier this year offering massages, manicures and facials tailored to the length of time that passengers are at the airport. Munich: Those on longer stopovers can spend some time relaxing in Kempinski Hotel’s Fit & Fly spa, which has a swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. A day pass costs €29, and two hours’ use is €18, including bathrobe and towel. JFK International, New York: The Elemis Travel Spa in the British Airways lounge offers premium passengers a complimentary 15-minute facial or massage. By Kathryn Liston http://www.ttglive.com

SPA : Air p or t Pamp e r ing for We ar y Trav el e r

Review: A Massage at Denver International Airport

discovered massage chairs at airports about 10 years ago, and I’ve been a frequent customer ever since. Small, no-frills airport spas offer quick neck rubs for busy (sore, haggard, tired, fill-in-theblank) travelers on the go. Some offer nail services, too, and all are notoriously overpriced. But sometimes it’s worth it to plunk down $25 to go to your happy place for 15 minutes in the midst of a busy travel day.

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I’ve gotten to know A Massage at Denver International Airport pretty well over the years. Its new storefront – smack dab between the Cantina Mexican restaurant and Kazoo & Company toy store – is conveniently located on the mezzanine level in the middle of the B Terminal between gates B37 and B39. Another location is near gate A49. A Massage Facility: I like that the massage chairs (about 10 of them) are located in the back of the spa storefront; in some airports you’re on display front and center to passers-by (perhaps so that the image of someone getting rubbed will lure them in). At the A Massage in the B Terminal at DIA, there are also two tables for full-body massage behind closed doors, and a reclining chair for foot massages, as well. Foot massages on the recliner are the same prices as neck/shoulder/back massages in the chair. A Massage Treatment: I opted for the 15 minute neck and shoulder rub for $25 (prices range from $20 for 10 minutes in the chair to $140 for 90 minutes full body massage). What I like about these short chair massages (where you remain fully dressed) is that the therapist doesn’t waste any time. For my most recent treatment at A Massage, my female therapist immediately started in with the firm pressure, working on tight neck and shoulder muscles. She used her whole body to lean on especially troublesome knots, and pressed her elbows up and down my lower back (down to my glutes), too.

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While I was seated near a vent, so I heard whooshing air during my chair massage, I did appreciate the soothing background music — again, just a nice little respite from the crowds of people found at the airport on any given day. Quality can be sporadic at A Massage; you never know which therapist you’re going to get, as customers get whomever whichever therapist is “on deck.” I suppose if you’re a true regular, you could request a certain therapist you like; I’m not in there that much to warrant remembering who worked on me the time prior! I think the only time I didn’t like a massage here was when I had a therapist who made funny whistling sounds through her nose nearly every time she breathed in – which was a lot. Note, however, that all are licensed massage therapists in the state of Colorado; they know what they’re doing. Bottom line: Services here are not cheap, and the facility isn’t fancy at all, but if your back or feet are sore from traveling, I’d hightail it into DIA’s A Massage. If you stop in during a layover, it’s right back to carrying luggage and sitting in a cramped airplane seat after an airport terminal massage. However, those few minutes of bliss during a long travel day are often worth the dollars spent.

By Kara Williams http://www.thespagals.com

D estinati o n Romania: Unique & Undiscovered

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The Real Transylvania Beats the Fiction E

qui-distant between the European capitals of Hungary and Romania, the one-third of northwest Romania called Transylvania is more familiar as fiction than it is as fact. Until I visited the region myself, Bram Stoker’s 1897 horror novel starring Count Dracula kept running interference in my mind. In real life I discovered that Stoker’s unattractive model for Dracula, Prince Vlad the Impaler, ruled briefly in another part of medieval Romania, and that picturesque Bran Castle guarding the southern rim of Transylvania bears no record of Vlad even stopping for a meal there, never mind claiming it as his Gothic stronghold.

Hungarian Culture Hangs On

A fine example of Transylvania’s Saxon architecture, Biertan’s 15th century fortified church is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

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Crossing the Romanian border from Hungary in a van with 14 fellow ElderTrekkers (Eldertreks.com) we had early warning that our guide, Lajos Németh, was passionate for Transylvania’s authentic village experiences envisioned by him and even by Britain’s Prince Charles as a way for dwindling rural communities to earn money from grassroots tourism. From now on, Lajos enthused, we would be eating and drinking more in people’s homes, barns and cellars than in restaurants! Our first hosts were 600 villagers of the former gold mining village of Rimetea, as the Romanians call it or Torockó as Hungarian Transylvanians call it. Many towns and villages in Transylvania have two names because the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until World War I. Then the western allies gave it to Romania as a reward for siding with them instead of Germany or Aus-

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Where Did All the Saxons Go?

Fresh-baked chimney cake from a traditional spitcooked recipe is temptingly displayed by our ElderTreks guide, Lajos Neméth. Photo credit: Alison Gardner

tria. Undeterred, generations of Hungarian Transylvanians still cling to their differences with pride, including settlement names and language. With cobbled streets still featuring as many horse carts as motor vehicles, we made daily excursions by van and on foot. We walked to ruined medieval fortresses, and learned the intricacies of making delicate, delicious chimney cakes at the home bakery of an elderly couple who supply the whole village. We visited an exquisite hand-carved Romanian Orthodox Monastery with three resident monks, one who had left a successful Internet technology career for a contemplative life. From another village, Enlaka, we walked to the summer pastures of the village’s entire sheep herd and sampled unpasturized cheeses being made in a simple shed. We watched the last blacksmith in a large region working at his country forge, and we met a soot-covered, charcoal-making family preparing hardwood pyramids to smoulder into a good income of briquets weeks later. Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

Eight hundred years ago, Saxon German settlement in parts of Transylvania brought a cultural richness as well as a highly-skilled, well-educated ethnic minority to the region. Their legacy of architectural and cultural treasures stand today as protected United Nations World Heritage Sites, including imposing fortified churches such as Biertan and medieval fortress towns like Sighişoara. Theirs was a turbulent time of barbarian invaders from the east followed by Ottoman Turk assaults. Impressively, the Saxons took on all challenges to their towns and villages while living graciously and creatively. Then in 1990, 750,000 Saxon Romanians made an astonishing voluntary exodus back to Germany leaving behind homes, businesses, and just 30,000 fellow Saxons to sustain 800 years of Transylvania heritage. Naturally, Romanians, Moldovans and Roma (gypsies) from the south and east arrived to occupy vacated homes and farms, and more

Explore Romania: Only with a Tour Guide A decade ago, Transylvania began showing up on the destination list of adventurous European travelers, but British and North American visitors are still a rarity. While the capital, Bucharest, and to some extent key medieval cities and UN World Heritage Sites are English-friendly, the fledgling village and rural tourism is virtually invisible without a knowledgeable guide and translator to make insider connections. A guide is equally important to navigate the poor-quality, unmarked roads that lead to the most memorable cultural encounters and nature hiking experiences. For active, culturally-curious travelers over 50, ElderTreks is the leader in authentic, grassroots Transylvania exploration, (Eldertreks.com/ tour/ETTD000004), offering up to 16 participants annual Spring and Fall tours of the region.

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In a rural Transylvania village, mother and daughter greet us as we climb to a ruined medieval fortress. Photo credit: Alison Gardner

recently Prince Charles of Great Britain became a leading international champion of Saxon villages. He is renovating and traditionally re-furnishing 18th century homes in economically-impoverished villages, renting them to visitors to encourage rural tourism. Before exiting Transylvania for Romania’s capital, Bucharest, I toured the real Bran Castle. Bracing for fairytale disappointment, I was in fact delighted with the petite, authentically-furnished fortress. Guarding a steep mountain pass as it has since 1385, the only horror I detected was a gauntlet of merchants selling Count Dracula souvenirs between the parking lot and the castle entrance. By Alison Gardner Editor/journalist, Alison Gardner, is a global expert on nature-based vacations and cultural/educational travel. Her Travel with a Challenge web magazine, is a recognized source of new and established operators, accommodations and richly-illustrated feature articles covering all types of senior-friendly alternative travel. http://www.travelwithachallenge.com

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Orthodoxy, Myths and Rural Life

The

“No 1” place that the travelers want to see in Romania, when they arrive for the first time, is the province of Bucovina in the north-east of the country. Bucovina is famous for its painted churches – painted, that is, on the outside rather than just on the inside which would be more usual for Orthodox churches. This feature is unique in the Byzantine world and these churches have kept their vivid colors on the outside walls despite the vicissi-

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tudes of 500 years of rough weather. Themes such as “The Jesse Tree”, “the Prayer of All the Saints”, “The Hymn of Mary” and “The Siege of Constantinople” are to be seen on a beautiful palette of reds, blues, greens and yellows. The monasteries of Voronet, Sucevita and Moldovita which all feature these churches are within easy reach of each other by road and are interesting, not only for those who want to study history or

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art, but also for those who are fascinated simply by local culture and something “completely different”. However, perhaps the traveler would like to see Transylvania first. Transylvania is, of course, famous through Bram Stocker’s novel “Dracula” but yes, it really exists! There is a lot more to this province besides ghoulish castles and a bloodthirsty count. Here we find a pure environment combining the majesty of medieval fortified churches with well kept villages displaying beautifully preserved traditional architecture along their colourful main streets. Maramures, the very northern part of Transylvania, is rapidly becoming a favourite destination as it depicts a way of life which disappeared from the West long ago. Here can be found sleepy villages where womenfolk still wash their blankets in the tiny streams, where grain is milled by water power and where, on Sundays, people still wear colourful traditional costumes for their “Sunday best”. Many of the churches are traditional wooden structures and, indeed, new churches are still built using the same materials and methods. Here too, on most of the farms, the humble horse and cart still reigns supreme. Unfortunately things are moving quickly and the way it is used to be is changing – more quickly than most people want. This is perhaps inevitable as local people strive to achieve those things which the Western world takes for granted – housing with all mod cons, cars, mobile phones and so on. But this is also why the tourists that are arriving want to savour Romania before the old way of life disappears. Of course, that’s why Romania is not a destination for mass tourism. Luckily, you hardly see parks packed with coaches or queues for buying tickets. It is mainly a destination for private and personalized tours, where curious tourists are exploring the

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villages and the countryside and where they can speak with the locals and enjoy leisurely meals. Romania doesn’t attract tourists for cheep beach holidays (even though Black Sea resorts certainly exist!), but for walking, trekking, cultural and wild life holidays. Romanian tourism is slowly in a process of rebirth, still dealing with a poor infrastructure but with great hopes in eco-tourism and self-sustaining rural communities. Responsible and sustainable tourism here is not a trend but a way of life. Strip farming and peasants living with the seasons are part of normal life in this corner of Europe and these self sufficient people are more than happy to share their products with their guests in small family run B&Bs. Advertised as “Life as it used to be”, “Rural Romania Revealed” or the “Forgotten Corner of Europe”, Romania is struggling to change the bad image that western television has bestowed upon it, often very unfairly. This is the biggest challenge Romania has to surmount.

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Alan Heywood, the director of Ffestiniog Travel, UK, is speaking about Romania: “Personally, I think Romania is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Very few people in the UK know anything about it which is why it is so difficult to sell. I think the whole problem is summed up by the fact that everybody who has been on our tours say that Romania is wonderful and they usually add “much better than we expected”.” “This was my wife Pam’s reaction too and it was Pam’s enthusiasm that persuaded Sue M. to join our tour last year. The problem is that this “drip feeding” of enthusiasm works too slowly. Pam must have told about 50 people including her relatives how much she had enjoyed the holiday but only Sue M. actually did anything about it.” “If so few in the UK know anything about Romania, that means that there is a huge untapped market if only the message could be got across.” By Ramona Cazacu http://www.myromania.com.ro

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Romanian Tourism Hit by the Crisis

The

financial crisis triggers a decline in the Romanian travel and tourism industry. After strong economic growth of 7% in 2008, 2009 brought a decline of 7% in GDP; this further triggered a 6% decrease in average net incomes and the doubling of the unemployment rate, thus reaching 8%. Because more Romanians were concerned with their standard of living, they began to plan cheaper and shorter holidays. They chose the closest locations as their destinations, which they could reach using their own vehicles, and opted for shorter stays; most frequently many settled for weekend escapes. All these factors led to a decline in demand for travel and tourism. As a consequence, many markets felt the impact, leading to a chain reaction, and most players registered losses, but not all. Romanian society continued to polarise at an accelerated pace due to the crisis. In 2009, people who could afford to pay for a vacation similar to that of the previous year managed to get a better quality of service for either domestic destinations or destinations abroad. In brief, 2009 brought new elements to the Romanian travel and tourism industry, such as discounts, early booking, customised services and client price negotiation.

Low Budget Accommodation Flourishing Almost 90% of the assets in Romanian banks come from abroad; also, 80% of total GDP is brought in by only 4% of the companies. As a consequence, decreasing GDP can be said to be a result of the global recession. This is also the case with regard to the Romanian travel and tourism industry. As a result of the financial difficulties of global players, many developments were halted, and this had a significant impact on business tourism. The occupancy rate Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

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Travel Retail – Highly Price-sensitive

Tourism Flows in Romania 2009 Domestic Business Tourism–’000 trips 839.7 Domestic Leisure Tourism–’000 trips 4042.2 Business Arrivals–’000 people 2928.6 Leisure Arrivals–’000 people 5334.3 Business Departures–’000 people 3133.3 Leisure Departures–’000 people 10241.3 ©2010 Euromonitor I nternational

of luxury hotels in Bucharest registered a dramatic decline. In the context of the recession, hotels reported drastic reductions in turnover. As for Romanians, 78% of them decided not to go on vacation in 2009. The ones who did so mostly headed for domestic destinations, as this seemed to be the best low budget solution. As a result, low budget accommodation such as campsites and some guesthouses (mostly in rural areas), hostels and motels flourished in the recession.

Low Cost Airlines Popular Due to the recession, tourists also opted for cheaper modes of transport. Airline companies registered decreasing demand for both classes – business and economic. Overall, the load factor dropped dramatically, and some scheduled and charter flights were cancelled. Some companies

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considered using smaller airports to reduce costs, but this triggered changes in the aircraft fleet to maintain profitability. Thinking of ways to improve profits in these difficult times, the blue flag operator Tarom decided to join the SkyTeam group, with Air France-KLM. Lufthansa, another important service provider, after taking over Austrian Airline’s market share, became a member of the rival group Star Alliance. Travellers now more often choose cheap flights, as low cost carriers offer very attractive prices and large discounts. However, there is also a lot of competition in this segment. Low cost carriers registered a significant increase in the number of passengers, but did not always profit from this. Delays were more frequent, and there were major changes; for instance the first low cost carrier, founded in 2001 in Romania, went bankrupt.

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Dynamism is currently best reflected in the evolution of travel agencies, which are faced on the one hand with declining demand from tourists, and on the other hand with a great offer of tourist services. Most travel agencies registered falling turnover, but some stated that their figures were increasing. Looking closer into this discrepancy, it can be seen that this is based on the target groups. Generally, the most stable companies are those with a balanced offer of services. The companies which are facing more difficulties are those which mostly count on business tourism and on airline ticket commission. These are the large, significant market players. Small companies are also experiencing difficulties, being highly dependent on hotel prices. Overall, travel retail shows great price-sensitivity to upstream price variations. This is because the conditions for success have changed in crisis times; whereas before it was important for a company to have many connections, now the most important thing is having the lowest commission. In brief, the solution for 2009 seems to be adapting, and having client customisation skills, whilst maintaining profitability. (Extract from Euromonitor International’s report “Travel and Tourism in Romania”) http://www.euromonitor.com

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Vacation with Vampires in Transylvania

everybody can imagine Transylvania is all about stunning scenery and terrific places. Everyone knows and fears Dracula; still everyone wants to travel to Transylvania. Start packing without any worries. Add turtlenecks, garlic and scarves to the top of the packing list, muster some courage, and summon your sense of adventure. The ultimate adventure awaits in a distant land where a 15thcentury ruler terrified all who dared to challenge his ways. Transylvanian lovers, culture and history fans, adventure seekers can explore Transylvania solo or seek courage in numbers on one of the increasingly popular Dracula tours. The commercial tours find their own ways to inflict a bigger bite of vampire pop culture for victims—er, visitors. Outfitters may throw vampire balls, host Halloween costume contests, show classic Dracula films on board the bus or hand out small cross necklaces and survivor certificates to their brave travelers.

Irish writer Bram Stoker drew inspiration from Vlad the Impaler for his novel “Dracula,” published in 1897. The book’s antagonist, a vicious Romanian count with a thirst for young blood, rises from his coffin bed and masochistically preys upon British newlyweds Jonathan Harker and Mira Murray. Decades later, the iconic vampire gave actors, including Bela Lugosi, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Gary Oldman film roles they could really sink their teeth into.

A Vampire’s Lineage

Departing from Bucharest from June till September Vampire in Transylvania, the Awarded Dracula Tour offers a 7 days trip back in time, following Jonathan Harker’s footsteps but revealing the genuine historical facts and places. Includes the unique medieval citadel of Sighisoara – Vlad the Impaler’s birth place, the Saxon city of Brasov, Bistrita Citadel, the royal Peles Castle, the mysterious Bran Castle as well as Dracula’s Castle in Borgo Pass. In addition, the special activities prepared, all along the itinerary, bring out the essence of the genuine Transylvanian Folklore.

Retracing Dracula’s Tracks If they dare, travelers on the Dracula trail can follow the vampire prince from birth to burial. Vlad Dracula entered this world in the Transylvania town of Sighisoara, noted for one of the region’s few walled fortresses. The house of Dracula’s birth, marked with a modest plaque on the door, now mul-

Dracula Tours in Transylvania

The vampires caricatured for silent films, bestselling novels, cereal boxes and even “Sesame Street” all descended from Vlad III Draculea, a Romanian prince who reigned in the 15th century. The prince earned the nickname “Vlad the Impaler” for the merciless ruler’s gruesome method of doing away with enemies. His given surname, Anglicized as “Dracula,” is derived from the word meaning either “dragon” or “demon” in his native tongue. Nov emb er, 2 0 1 0

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titasks as a restaurant serving Romanian cuisine and a small museum of medieval weapons used during Vlad’s rule. Although Castle Bran is strongly associated with Vlad Dracula, the foreboding edifice actually has the weakest historical ties to the Impaler. Perched at the apex of a narrow, climbing road near the city of Brasov, the massive stone building clearly inspired the cinematographers and animators who worked on just about every “Dracula” film project.

The Real Dracula What remains of Vlad Dracula’s real abode can be found about 50 miles northwest of Bucharest near the town of Tirgoviste. The fortress ruins are almost inaccessible, requiring a climb of 1,500 steps up a mountain that overlooks a river basin. The castle served Dracula as a refuge from

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advancing enemies as well as a place to watch their demise. Among the palace ruins, visitors can make out the overlook tower from which Vlad viewed impalements that took place in the courtyard. Vlad the Impaler’s own finale happened by assassination, after which his remains are said to have been entombed in the Snagov monastery just north of Bucharest. The 16th-century monastery, accessible only by boat, is situated on an island in the middle of a lake. Romanians still revere the ruler who defended their nation against the Turks, and continue to honor Dracula with a portrait and vases of fresh flowers near his resting place. http://www.visit-transylvania.eu http://www.visit-transylvania.co.uk http://www.dracula-tour.com

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Fairs & Exhibitions T r av e l / T o u r i s m

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Fai r s & E x hi b ition s : N OV E M B E R , 2 0 1 0

Western Europe

World Travel Awards - Grand Final Gala Ceremony Location

United Kingdom / London

Start / End

07 November 2010 / 07 November 2010

Provider

World Travel Awards

Contact

awards@worldtravelawards.com

World Travel Market (WTM) Location

United Kingdom / London

Start / End

08 November 2010 / 11 November 2010

Provider

Reed Travel Exhibitions

Contact

wtmteam@reedexpo.co.uk

VIVA TOURISTIKA & Caravaning

ATLAS Annual Conference 2010 – Mass Tourism vs. Niche Tourism

Location

Germany / Frankfurt am Main

Start / End

12 November 2010 / 14 November 2010

Provider

Expotec GmbH

Contact

info@expotecgmbh.de

TEMOS: Healthcare Abroad and Health Tourism Location

Germany / Cologne

Location

Cyprus / Limassol

Start / End

14 November 2010 / 16 November 2010

Start / End

03 November 2010 / 05 November 2010

Provider

TEMOS

Provider

ATLAS

Contact

info@temos-conference.com

Contact

info@atlas-euro.org

The Luxury Travel Fair

Seatrade Med Cruise Convention

Location

United Kingdom / London

France / Cannes

Start / End

04 November 2010 / 07 November 2010

30 November 2010 / 02 December 2010

Provider

Clarion Events Ltd

Seatrade Communications Ltd.

Contact

luxurytravelfair@clarionevents.com

Contact

acetin@seatrade-global.com

SkiExpo Location

Finland / Helsinki

Start / End

05 November 2010 / 07 November 2010

Provider

The Finnish Fair Corporation

Contact

info@finnexpo.fi

Ferien-Messe Salzburg Location

Austria / Salzburg

Start / End

18 November 2011 / 20 November 2011

Provider

Exhibitions Messe Salzburg

Contact

feriensalzburg@messe.at

More events related to Travel/Tourism can be found here If you are an event provider you may consider to place your event in the above category, please click here If your event already is in the list you may consider using the enhanced listing. For replacement just click here

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Fai r s & E x hi b ition s : N OV E M B E R , 2 0 1 0

Asia & Pacific

India Travel Mart - Jaipur Location

India / Jaipur, Rajasthan

Start / End

27 November 2010 / 29 November 2010

Provider

I Creative Minds

Contact

indiatravelmart@airtelmail.in

Cruise Shipping Asia Singapore Location

Singapore / Marina Bay Sands

Start / End

16 November 2011 / 18 November 2011

Provider

UBM International Media

Contact

michiel.kruse@ubm.com

Taipei International Travel Fair Location

Taiwan / Taipei

Start / End

05 November 2010 / 08 November 2010

Provider

Taiwan Visitors Association

Contact

contact@www.taipeiitf.org.tw

Korea MICE Expo Location

South Korea / Seoul

Start / End

24 November 2010 / 25 November 2010

Provider

Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Organization

Contact

india@knto.or.kr

India International Travel Mart – Pune Location

India / Pune, Maharashtra

Start / End

27 November 2010 / 29 November 2010

Provider

GTFC

Contact

info@iitmindia.com

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iŃ ons Adventure

Business

SPA

General

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