MARCH, 2009
Dear readers, Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Yes, even the Great Wall of China got its white cover (although Chinese had to fire some iodide sticks to achieve it). If you are fond of snow and winter and you still don’t have enough why not to visit the wide and wonderful Siberia? Beautiful forests, wild beasts and ... what more ... no crowds! Read more in Destination part. Nature, or rather the threats to flora and fauna, is the topic of the Heritage supplement. Ever wondered how the Georgia-Russia conflict affected the local forests? Do you know what animals are on the brink of extinction? Being green is the trend even in transport. Learn more about the current biofuel projects or solar cars or even about the hybrid ferry taking tourists to Alcatraz. Read the Transport part. Green lawns are the topic of the Active part, specifically the green lawns with small holes and cut grass – yes, the perfect golf destinations of the world. After that you can learn more about the greatest sport event luring thousands of tourists every two years – the Olympic Games. This time the focus is on the costs and benefits of the Games for the tourism industry. Milada Sovadinova Editor
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
F E B R U A R Y, 2 0 0 9 TRANSPORT
H E R I TAG E EndangErEd! natural WondErs undEr attack The Caucasian conflict last summer destroyed not only human lives but also parts of the Borjomi Gorge forests that were set on fire. In DR Congo a group of mountain gorillas got caught in the middle of a bloody conflict. In Vietnamese national park the government wants to relocate local residents to preserve endangered rhinos. Read more about the endangered nature.
Eco TransporT Sustainability is the word of today’s travel. Even for cars, buses and airplanes. Read about the Bionic project bringing biofuels to cities, about Alcatraz hybrid ferry that make use even of recycled vodka bottles, or about the colorful stickers you need when entering Frankfurt am Main in Germany.
HERITAGE: Endangered! Natural Wonders under Attack............................................ 4
Medical / Spa: Eco Transport....................................... 36
RECOVERING FROM THE WOUNDS OF WAR. ....................................................................... 5
BIONIC: SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS IN THE COMMUNITY................................................... 37
FOREST EXPLOITATION PUTS ENDANGERED RHINOS AT RISK.......................................... 7
ALCATRAZ BY HYBRID FERRY............................................................................................. 39
MOUNTAIN GORILLA POPULATION INCREASES DESPITE WAR. ........................................ 9
GOODBYE FUEL WORLD....................................................................................................... 41
BENEATH THE WATER: HERITAGE IN SEARCH OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION........ 11
WORLD’S LONGEST SOLAR RACE IN SA. ............................................................................. 44
TIGERS, RHINOS, POLAR BEARS: MOST THREATENED IN 2009......................................... 13
LOW-EMISSION ZONE IN FRANKFURT AM MAIN............................................................... 48
Professional
De st i nat ion
The (Un)profiTable olympic Games The last jaw-dropping Games once again aroused the discussion about all the money spent on hosting the Olympics. Debating the profitability of the two or three week long sport craze the governments often use tourism as the one area that benefits the most. However, the facts tell a different story...
Vast lands, deep lakes, chilly mornings – all of this is Siberia. Come and read about the oldest and deepest lake in the world, about the long long long TransSiberian Railway or even a beautiful city with temperatures sometimes going under -40°C.
Professional: The (Un)profitable Olympic Games............................................................ 16
Siberia
Destination: Siberia.......................................................... 50
OLYMPICS: INBOUND TOURISTS GO AWAY AND STAY AWAY............................................ 17
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE ... SIBERIA. .................................................................................. 51
ARE THE GAMES BOOSTING ECONOMY? NOT ALWAYS..................................................... 19
TRANS-SIBERIAN: THE WORLD’S LONGEST TRAIN RIDE. ................................................. 54
WHAT TO DO WITH THE BIRD’S NEST?............................................................................... 21
DOG SLEDDING WAGS ITS TAIL IN SIBERIA........................................................................ 57
SOCHI TO SPEND 8 TIMES MORE THAN VANCOUVER....................................................... 22
NOVOSIBIRSK: THE FROSTY METROPOLIS......................................................................... 59 HUGE, OLD, BEAUTIFUL LAKE SURROUNDED BY WILDNESS. .......................................... 61
Active/Adventure
Fairs & Exhibitions T r av e l / To u r i s m
i n
m a r C H
2 0 0 9
b y
r e g i o n s
Travel To Tee off In many regions golf is the perfect pastime only for the elite. In other parts of the world, like Scotland, it is just a common fun. How is it in Asia? Or New Zealand? Have you ever thought about golfing in Kenya? Also, come and read about the No. 1 golf destination of this year.
Active/Adventure: Travel to Tee off................................. 24
Fairs & Exhibitions: Travel/Tourism in MARCH 2009 by regions................................................. 63
SCOTLAND CROWNED «GOLF DESTINATION OF THE YEAR»........................................... 25
Western Europe. ............................................................................................................... 64
YOUNG & FRESH: TOBIANO ROCKS OKANAGAN. .............................................................. 27
CENTRAL Europe................................................................................................................. 66
SPORT FOR ELITES: ASIAN GOLF RESORTS. ........................................................................ 29
North America.................................................................................................................. 67
KENYA: PERFECT CLIMATE AND EXCELLENT VARIETY..................................................... 31 NEW ZEALAND: GOLF, GRANDEUR & GRAPES.................................................................... 33
H E R I TAG E Endangered! Natural Wonders under Attack The Caucasian conflict last summer destroyed not only human lives but also parts of the Borjomi Gorge forests that were set on fire. In DR Congo a group of mountain gorillas got caught in the middle of a bloody conflict. In Vietnamese national park the government wants to relocate local residents to preserve endangered rhinos. Read more about the endangered nature.
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
RECOVERING FROM THE WOUNDS OF WAR D
uring the Caucasian conflict last August, forest fires broke out in the Borjomi Gorge, a popular recreational area in Central Georgia, where also Borjomi Kharagauli National Park is located. With more than 76.000 hectares of forest and endangered species like the red deer, the lynx, the brown bear and the wolf, the park belongs to the last vast wilderness zones of Euroasia and was certified a PAN Park in 2006. The PAN Parks emblem is considered as the Michelin Star among European national parks, a guarantee for highest quality in conservation efforts and sustainable tourism. PAN Parks Foundation interviewed the Borjomi Kharagauli’s chief administrator Levan Tabunuidze about the cause of the fire, the damage it brought and future reforestation plans. PP: What was the cause of the fire? Were there any bombs dropped on the national park? L.T.: No, the fire erupted because of flammable rockets, not bombs. The police investigated the case and talked to eye-witnesses, who had seen Russian helicopters fly over the region, just before the fires started. Another proof for this was that the fire brigade had received various calls from locals, who had noticed fires in different areas of the gorge, all erupting more or less at the same time. PP: How many fires broke out in the Borjomi Gorge? L.T. There were six fires in the entire Borjormi Gorge area. Three of them erupted directly in the national park. One broke out in Likani, which is very
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H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack PP: Luckily, only ten hectares of the national park were destroyed by the fire. What kind of trees grows there? What animals live there? L.T. The strongest fire erupted in the coniferous forest of our park. This is where for example pine trees, spruce and yew grow. It’s also home to animals like the red deer, brown bear or lynx. We do not have any detailed information about how many animals got killed in the fire but we found burnt horns of the red deer. PP: The buffer zone which surrounds the park was the most heavily burnt area in the Borjormi Gorge region. Is this also a "protected land?" L.T.: The buffer zone borders our national park but it’s not protected area anymore. This is where the summer resorts are located. PP: How long did it take to extinguish all fires? Did you use helicopters? Did you get any help from abroad?
close to our administration building. We had noticed it early, so rangers, locals and the fire brigade were able to extinguish it quickly. The second fire was close to Khvabiskhevi village and the third and biggest of all erupted right in the middle of wilderness. It takes about one hour by car and three hours on foot to reach the place. PP: When did the fires break out? Was there any staff in the park at that time? L.T. They broke out between 12.30 and 2 pm. Our staff was on duty. The rangers were in the park and the administration staff in the office. PP: Did anyone get injured or killed in the area? L.T. No, fortunately, nobody was killed, since the main conflict area was 150 km away from us. Ma rch , 2009
i Borjomi Gorge is a picturuesque canyon of the Mtkvari (Kura) River in central Georgia. The Gorge was formed as a result of the Mtkvari River cutting its path through the Lesser Caucasus Mountains where the Trialeti and Meskheti Ranges meet. A significant portion of the Borjomi Gorge is covered by mixed and coniferous forests made up of oak, maple, beech, spruce, fir, and pine. A large portion of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park as well as the towns of Borjomi and Likani itself lie within the Gorge. On August 17th, Russian forces occupying Georgia started massive forest fires in the area, in violation of a cease fire during the 2008 South Ossetia War. Wi k ip e di a.org
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L.T.: It took us more than a month to extinguish the fires. The big problem for us was that we were not allowed to use any helicopters, no aircrafts at all, since the Russians were controlling the sky. Our neighboring countries Turkey and the Ukraine kindly offered us their help but also for them there was no guarantee that they would not be bombed. Only after the cease fire agreement, the Turkish government could help us with airplanes. PP: Are there any reforestation plans? L.T.: There is a plan of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Georgia to reforest the burnt areas. At this stage a governmental committee is studying the affected zones to set up an action plan. PP: Apart from the forest, has anything else been destroyed in the park? L.T: No, fortunately no tourist infrastructure, like trails or visitor centers, was destroyed. The park is ready to welcome tourists. PP: When did you reopen the park for visitors again? L.T.: We have actually never closed the park but of course during the conflict nobody came to visit us. The first tourists arrived again after 1st September. PP: How many tourists have visited the park since then? Where were they from? L.T.: We had about 619 tourists after the cease fire had been signed. They came from Israel, Poland, Germany, France and also domestic tourists from Georgia. Thank you very much for the interview.
Photo: Borjomi National Park Archive http://www.panparks.org
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
FOREST EXPLOITATION PUTS ENDANGERED RHINOS AT RISK The
residents of two villages near Cat Tien National Park in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, Viet Nam, where a group of endangered one-horned rhinos live have yet to be relocated out of the area, despite a government programme that called for their resettlement. In 2003, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) approved a project to move local residents out of the national park’s core. Conservationists said illegal logging and the activities of locals in Phuoc Cat Commune were affecting the food supply of the rhinos. The park is the Javan rhinoceros’ only known habitat in Viet Nam. Local authorities, however, have allowed all 52 families to remain in the area, blaming the delay on reduced budgets. The authorities say that allowing the locals to continue to live in the area would help raise awareness and involve residents in conservation tasks. But the villagers continue to survive by exploiting the forest environment. The forests surrounding the two villages are two of the most severely damaged areas in the national park, according to a report sent to the MARD and authored by Tran Van Mui, director of the Cat Tien National Park. "Illegal logging is well organised and occurs in the park’s core areas," he said. "Local residents have cleared paths through rhino habitats. These actions have pushed them into very inhospitable eco-regions where there is a lack of food and natural salt licks, which are crucial to the rhino’s survival," Mui added.
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H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack If efforts aren’t made to set aside protected areas within Cat Tien where the rhinos can live undisturbed, then the animals may become extinct, according to conservationists. The onehorned rhinoceros, or Rhinoceros sondaicus, is one of the world’s most endangered large mammals. The Vietnamese Red Book has given the pachyderm an E classification, meaning on the brink of extinction, while the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has placed the rhinos on the list of critically endangered mammals. The World Wide Fund for Nature helps Cat Tien Natural Park to monitor animal numbers by way of camera traps and local zoologists keep tabs on the animals as well. But conservationists say the rhinos’ future is bleak http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
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H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
MOUNTAIN GORILLA POPULATION INCREASES DESPITE WAR Fifteen months passed without any rangers being able to monitor the mountain gorillas but in December 2008 Virunga National Park director, Emmanuel de Merode successfully negotiated with the CNDP rebel group to allow park rangers access the Mikeno sector and resume monitoring of the area. Institut Congolais de Conservation du Nature (ICCN), the government institution in charge of
The
number of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased despite the war being waged in and around the area, according to the first count in 16 months. The count showed that the number of gorillas in groups habituated to humans – considered most at
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risk in the local conflict – had increased to 81, compared to a count of 72 in 2007. Park rangers were kicked out of the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park, where six groups of habituated mountain gorillas live, in September 2007 by forces loyal to the ex-rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.
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H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack protected areas management in Virunga National Park has since been fully operational and ICCN rangers have just completed a census of the habituated mountain gorillas. To their surprise, they discovered that the populations of all of the groups have increased. “This is a huge relief and a welcome surprise,” said Matthew Lewis, Program Officer for African Species at World Wildlife Fund (WWF). “Habituated mountain gorillas are at particular risk from humans because they aren’t afraid of them.”
i
T hreat s to the Par k
Although mountain gorillas are now extremely rare and listed as one of the most critically-endangered species, successful conservation work has helped to secure the remaining populations. Their populations actually increased during the years of political upheaval in the region (1994-2004), but renewed military conflict in the park (October 2008) including the seizing of the park headquarters and expelling of park rangers, poaching, and rampant deforestation for illegal charcoal production once again cast doubt on their future. It is believed that both savanna and forest elephants and chimpanzees can still be found in Virunga, along with Okapi, giraffes, buffaloes and many endemic birds. Land invasions and intense poaching have challenged the park authorities to the limit, but most rangers have remained active. Since 1994, about 120 rangers have been killed in the line of duty protecting the park from illegal poaching and land acquisition. Amongst other military activity, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda or FDLR has been using the park as a safe location when they have come under sustained attack, such as Laurent Nkunda’s offensives against them in April-May 2007. The park was occupied by Nkunda’s forces on 26 October 2008, during the Battle of Goma. Wi k ip e di a.org
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While on a five day patrol during which they were looking for and counting mountain gorillas, two ICCN patrols removed more than 500 snares placed by poachers targeting small forest antelopes that can harm and maim gorillas. “The humanitarian crisis in the region continues and our hearts go out to those residents caught in the middle,” Lewis said. “And despite this good news about the gorillas, we must remain vigilant as they are under constant threat.”
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There is currently a cease fire between CNDP and the Congolese Army who have joined up with Rwandan forces to fight FDLR rebels; however, the rangers still have conflict and violence to contend with. On 8 January a ranger was killed during an attack by Maï Maï militia against an ICCN Patrol Post and another ranger was kidnapped. “The true heroes in this story are the courageous ICCN rangers who worked tirelessly to gain access to the gorillas despite the ongoing violence,” said Dr. Richard Carroll, Director of WWF’s Congo Basin Program. “WWF will continue supporting ICCN and helping reduce the poaching, habitat encroachment and other threats to these magnificent creatures.” ICCN has been able to keep its operations running during the conflict with financial and technical support from International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), a joint initiative of AWF (African Wildlife Foundation), FFI (Flora and Fauna International), and WWF and other conservation partners on the ground. Mountain gorillas are listed as critically endangered on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, about 720 survive in the wild, with more than 200 of them living in the Virunga National Park. Mountain gorillas are the main tourist attraction in the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda and the money earned by the tourism benefits local communities. Photo: Virunga National Park By Lee Poston http://www.worldwildlife.org
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
BENEATH THE WATER: HERITAGE IN SEARCH OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION The
new UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage is the first legal instrument to safeguard underwater archaeological sites on an international scale, providing protection against treasure-hunters, while regulating international cooperation. It was a turning point in the history of attempts to safeguard shipwrecks and other submerged monuments when, on 2 January 2009, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage entered into force. Adopted by Member States in 2001, this is the only convention that is specific to the underwater cultural heritage. Even so, it neither regulates the ownership of heritage nor changes maritime sovereignty zones. Its aim is to combat looting and extend to our underwater heritage the same protection offered to sites on dry land. “From now on, it will be possible to offer legal protection to the memory of humanity that is buried at the bottom of the oceans, lakes and rivers, thus curtailing the growing illicit trade by looters,” said UNESCO’s Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura. Archaeologists have been waiting a long time for international legislation such as this. “The 2001 Convention is heaven’s gift for underwater archaeologists,” says Robert Grenier, a well-known Ca-
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nadian underwater archaeologist. This new instrument should also enable the public to get to know this little-known aspect of our heritage, which is so much more than a few shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea. Untold treasures lie in the depths, sometimes for thousands of years. And, while Atlantis was probably just a myth, entire stone-age landscapes, painted caverns and sacrificial sites are yielding their amazing secrets day after day. Take, for example, the ‘cenotes’ of Yucatan (Mexico), natural sinkholes that hold traces of Mayan sacrifices. The Chichen Itza cenote contained no fewer than 120 sacrificed bodies.
A minefield
The UNESCO convention is, however, entering a minefield when it is applied to safeguard this fragile heritage. While land-based heritage is subject to increasing protection, the looting of our underwater heritage is growing at an alarming rate, and national legislation is very patchy. Treasure hunters and commercial enterprises, attracted by profit, are deserting sites on dry land for deep-sea archaeology. Just one example is their interest in the precious cargoes of the caravels and carracks, these jewels of the Portuguese fleet that plied the spice routes in the 17th century. Commercial exploitation of their wrecks off the coast of Mozambique, for example, is threatening the only remaining historical evidence of their construction, as most of the documents from the era were destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
Faced with protests from archaeologists and the suspicions of the authorities when approached for licenses to explore, private companies looking for wrecks are increasingly proclaiming the scientific interest of their research. But it is almost impossible to practice genuine archaeology when the real motive is profit, and shareholders, not an informed public, are behind the work. As the celebrated Portuguese archaeologist, Francisco Alves, put it, “the archaeologist’s work is often like that of a detective. But what would we think of a detective who sells the victim’s watch to pay for his investigations?” Confronted with destruction and looting, the UNESCO Convention has added a series of rules in its Annex regarding archaeological exploration, which aim to act as an added safeguard and directive for national authorities. By imposing ethical norms of protection, it should eventually eradicate purely commercial operations. The Convention has also been set up to provide a legal safeguard and to monitor the pro-
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tection of sites, which is probably its most delicate task. In international waters, States have, with some exceptions, only a limited jurisdiction, which often restricts the application of national regulations to their own nationals or to vessels flying their flag. Every time a commercial enterprise from a given country sets its sights on some article that another State thinks is valuable, international cooperation becomes crucial for its protection. Hence the value of the Convention, which aims to regulate and improve the conditions of this cooperation.
Other threats, other solutions
Commercial excavations are not the only threat hanging over the relics located at the bottom of the seas, even if they are largely the reason behind the Convention. Foolhardy tourists looking for souvenirs, the construction of ports and oil pipelines, mineral prospecting and trawler fishing are also threats.
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But satisfactory solutions can sometimes be found. Nord Stream AG, the company that built a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, recently had to open a breach in an ancient barrage made out of sunken Swedish ships, preserved in the Bay of Greifswald, in northern Germany. This barrage dates back to the Great Northern War when, in 1715, the Swedish navy scuttled some twenty ships, each around 15 metres long, in order to protect the bay. The construction company paid for the costs of archaeological research and salvage, demonstrating that it is possible to find a balance between the need to safeguard the past and the needs of the present. The UNESCO Convention has the advantage of inviting its States Parties to find solutions that limit damage to the underwater heritage. There remain, of course, the inevitable threats posed by nature, such as erosion, tides, storms, tsunamis, etc. The 2001 Convention invites national governments to take measures to prevent or to reduce the impact of such phenomena, by fencing off threatened sites, building cages, or covering them in sand. UNESCO and the European Union have carried out several studies on the effects of climate change on cultural heritage. And a project has also just been launched with the Sovrintendenza del Mare, in Sicily, to investigate the possibility of preventing the destruction of coastal and underwater sites by earthquakes, under the framework of the Convention. The task is enormous, but the Convention has the whole future before it. By Ulrike Koschtial (UNESCO) http://portal.unesco.org
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
TIGERS, RHINOS, POLAR BEARS: MOST THREATENED IN 2009 gers, gorillas, pandas, elephants, whales and rhinos, as well as the lesser-known black-footed ferret and vaquita. WWF scientists say these, and many other species, are at greater risk than ever before because of poaching, habitat loss and climate change-related threats. “If we don’t get serious about saving these spectacular species, it’s quite likely that many won’t be around in the years to come,” said Tom Dillon, WWF’s senior vice president for Field Programs. “The potential loss of some familiar and beloved wildlife should be a wake-up call that immediate action must be taken if we want to live in a world with wild elephants, polar bears, and tigers. At the dawn of the new year, our global resolution for 2009 should be to save these amazing species before it’s too late.”
WWF’s “9 to Watch in 2009” list:
W
orld Wildlife Fund recently released its annual list of some of the most threatened species around the world, saying that the long-term survival of many iconic animals is increasingly in doubt due to a host of threats. WWF’s list of “9 to Watch in 2009” includes such well-known and beloved species as polar bears, tiMa rch , 2009
1. Javan Rhinoceros Population: Less than 60. Location: Indonesia and Vietnam. This is probably the rarest large mammal species in the world and is critically endangered. Poaching and pressure from a growing human population pose greatest risk to the two protected areas where they live. WWF teams actively monitor these rhinos and protect them from poachers. 2. Vaquita Population: 150. Location: Upper Gulf of California, Mexico.
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The world’s smallest and most endangered cetacean, this tiny porpoise is often killed in gillnets and could soon be extinct. WWF is working with local fishermen, local and international non-profits, and private sector and government officials on an unprecedented effort to save the vaquita. This includes establishing a vaquita refuge, buying out gillnet fisheries and developing vaquita-friendly fishing gear and other economic alternatives for the fishermen and their families. 3. Cross River Gorilla Population: 300. Location: Nigeria and Cameroon. The few remaining forest patches of southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon are home to the recently discovered Cross River gorilla, a subspecies of the western gorilla. But as its forests are opened up by timber companies, hunters move in. Conservation measures are urgently needed for this beleaguered animal, which is probably the world’s rarest great ape. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, a WWF Affiliate, is working with communities in the Cross River National Park to help save the Cross River gorilla. 4. Sumatran Tiger Population: 400-500. Location: Sumatra, Indonesia. Accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching could push the Sumatran tiger to the same fate as its now-extinct Javan and Balinese relatives in other parts of Indonesia. Tigers are poached for their
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack
body parts, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine, while skins are also highly prized. WWF is researching the Sumatran tiger population with camera traps, supports anti-poaching patrols and works to reduce human-tiger conflict as the cats’ habitat shrinks. Through the efforts of WWF and its partners, the Indonesian government in 2008 doubled the size of Tesso Nilo National Park, a critical tiger habitat. Ma rch , 2009
5. North Pacific Right Whale Population: Unknown, but less than 500. Location: Northern Pacific, U.S., Russia and Japan. The North Pacific right whale is one of the world’s rarest cetaceans, almost hunted to extinction until the 1960s. It is rarely sighted and has a poor prognosis for survival due to collisions with ships, entanglement in fishing nets and the prospect of
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offshore oil and gas development in Alaska’s Bristol Bay. WWF is working to improve shipping safety to avoid collisions and trying to prevent oil and gas development in Bristol Bay, the whale’s primary summer feeding ground. 6. Black-Footed Ferret Population: 500 breeding adults. Location: Northern Great Plains, U.S. and Canada. Found only in the Great Plains, it is one of the most endangered mammals in North America because its primary prey, the prairie dog, has been nearly exterminated by ranchers who consider it a nuisance. Few species have edged so close to extinction as the black-footed ferret and recovered, but through captive breeding and reintroduction, there are signs the species is slowly recovering. WWF has been working to save the black-footed ferret and the prairie dog population upon which the ferrets depend. 7. Borneo Pygmy Elephant Population: Perhaps fewer than 1,000. Location: Borneo, Malaysia. These smallest of all elephants must compete with logging and agriculture for space in the lowland forests of Borneo. WWF is working to ensure protection of the “Heart of Borneo” and tracks the elephants through the use of satellite collars to learn more about these little-understood elephants. 8. Giant Panda Population: 1,600. Location: China. An international symbol of conservation since WWF’s founding in 1961, the giant panda faces an uncertain future. Its forest habitat in the mountainous areas of southwest China has become fragmented, creating small and isolated populations. WWF has been active in giant panda conservation for nearly three decades, conducting field studies, working to protect habitats and, most recently, by
H eritage : End ange re d ! Natural Wond e r s und e r Attack providing assistance to the Chinese government in establishing a program to protect the panda and its habitat through the creation of reserves. 9. Polar Bear Population: 20,000-25,000. Location: Arctic. The greatest risk to their survival today is climate change. Designated a threatened species by the U.S., if warming trends in the Arctic continue at the current pace, polar bears will be vulnerable to extinction within the next century. WWF is supporting field research to understand how climate change will affect polar bears and to develop adaptation strategies. WWF also works to protect critical polar bear habitat by working with government and industry to reduce threats from shipping and oil and gas development in the region. By Lee Poston http://www.worldwildlife.org
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Professional The (Un)profitable Olympic Games The last jaw-dropping Games once again aroused the discussion about all the money spent on hosting the Olympics. Debating the profitability of the two or three week long sport craze the governments often use tourism as the one area that benefits the most. However, the facts tell a different story...
P rof e s si ona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
OLYMPICS: INBOUND TOURISTS GO AWAY AND STAY AWAY
In
2008 the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) published a report reinforcing their previous conclusions that hosting the Olympic Games typically stalls tourism growth. Nearly every Olympic city suffers a decline in demand after the hosting the Games. According to ETOA however, the latest data from Greece and Australia suggests that tourism to the host country is harmed even more than to the host city.
Sydney 2000
Not long after Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympics, it famously ran a tourism-targeted advertising campaign with the headline “Where the Bloody Hell Are You?” and Christopher Brown the Managing Director of Australia’s Tourism & Transport Forum, said: “We have set a new Olympic record. There are fewer tourists five years after the Games than before”. Following the 2000 Olympics, visitors to Australia declined for three years in a row, whilst tourism to the prime competitor
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destination, New Zealand continued to grow consistently. This post Olympic blight was common to all the cities that hosted the Games since Seoul. Every Olympics displaces tourists. Olympic visitors do not behave like normal guests. Their presence is determined by their interest in sport. Thus they do not come to sightsee, attend the theatre or recreate themselves on a beach. They come to attend a sporting event.
Athens 2004
Unlike Sydney, Athens was the centre of a major continental tourism hub. It had a substantial hotel stock, albeit used heavily in August 2004 when the Games took place. The first capital city to host the Games since Seoul, Athens invested heavily in new infrastructure for the Games: an airport, roads and public transport system were completed in time for 2004.
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Athens chose – in contrast to Sydney – not to build any new hotel capacity. In the hotels used by the press and thousands of Olympic officials, occupancy naturally rose as did the average room rates. Switching “leisure travellers” with fully priced business and running at 100% capacity meant that Athens recorded a combined rate and occupancy surge of five times the normal figure. Despite this extraordinary priming of demand, the occupancy levels in Greece for August as a whole went down. Not only occupancy faltered, but demand for Athens suffered throughout the year. Without even the boost provided by the early-August surge, regional Greece suffered even more than Athens, with areas like the Ionian Islands experiencing a 25% drop in visitor numbers. The Olympics disrupted the normal pattern of demand. But in Athens case the normal pattern was of robust interest. So whilst it suffered a decline, it has
Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s recovered quite promptly. In this it was aided by the extensive investment in underground systems, roads and airports that was associated with the 2004 games. So Athens “bounced back” well from the Games, better than any of its immediate predecessors. But Greece, as a destination, has failed to keep pace with its leading competitors. The gradient of its growth has been significantly less than Turkey. But most of this comparative failure took place before the Games. The games themselves marked a nadir in demand, from which Greece has recovered to almost match Croatia’s growth.
Overcrowded & Overpriced
If an Olympic city is not a major destination then the Games will attract more than the usual levels of visitors during the Olympic year. Some cities build new hotel capacity to cope with the two to three week crescendo of demand. This capacity fills up in the Olympic year, only to lie empty, catering to an absence of demand.
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Tom Jenkins, ETOA’s Executive Director explains: “The principal problem is the impression that everything will be overcrowded and overpriced and this blights a region.” Also, removing visitors from a country has a detrimental effect on subsequent demand. The most important motivator for visitors is word of mouth: this sales mechanism loses momentum as visitors are deterred. Their absence is a suppression of marketing. This failure far outweighs any gains derived from the television audience, an audience whose size and propensity to travel is exaggerated. Tom Jenkins concluded by pointing out that what has been seen in city after city, over the past Olympics, are unrealistic expectations, which are ultimately met with real shortfalls in demand. There is a need on behalf of the sponsors to justify all the money spent on the Games – and they mistakenly reach for tourism as that justification. “Inbound tourists are not the 'pro quo' for all this 'quid'.” http://www.etoa.org
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Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
ARE THE GAMES BOOSTING ECONOMY? NOT ALWAYS H
osting the Olympic Games seems certain to boost the economy of any place in the world. After all, this is thought to be the main reason why most cities around the globe which apply for the right to host them, want to stage the event in the first place. However, financial success is not always guaranteed. Why? Firstly, many locals are put off by the fact that prices tend to rise. This is usually the case everywhere as for example the price of beer can rise from 3 Euro to as much as 5 Euro for half a litre. The recent football Euro competition in Austria and Switzerland paid testimony to this particular example. The problem is that not only locals believe this, yet some visitors also shy away from the higher prices. Similarly, the previous Olympic venues such as Barcelona and Sydney did not financially benefit from hosting the games as the usual tourists were deterred from coming for the same reasons. According to a research of the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) there is no strong link between hosting sporting events and increased tourism. “The television audiences regularly cited for such events as the Olympics are exaggerated. Attendees at the Games displace normal visitors and scare tourists away for some time. Both Sydney and Barcelona had "excellent" Olympic Games, Ma rch , 2009
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but their tourism industries did not benefit,” says the study. The researchers add that there appears to be little evidence of any benefit to tourism of hosting an Olympic Games, and considerable evidence of damage. It is vital that the problems experienced by the host cities of past Games be acknowledged and addressed in order to avoid them reoccurring. London for instance does not plan to fall to the same fate as Sydney when hosting the 2012 ARE THE GAMES BOOSTING ECONOMY? NOT ALWAYS Pics:
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1173713 347532 3334112
H ow M u ch A re the G ame s ?
(vložka) ( i n mi l l i on USD ) How Much Are the Games? (in million USD) Budget Planned Real 938 940
Barcelona (1992) Atlanta 1.000 (1996) Sydney 960 (2000) Athens 1.600 (2004) Beijing 14.300 (2008) Source: IOC --------------------
Result balanced
1.700
profit 877 million
4.100
profit 230 million
10.800
loss 4.000 million
42.000
N/A
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Arabian Travel Market 2009 5–8 May 2009 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Register Today and Unlock Your Middle East Business Potential In the Know Find out who’s exhibiting plus more about their products and services with our email newsletters.
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Plan Ahead Find exhibitors who meet your needs and start scheduling appointments.
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Networking Plan ahead by registering early and ensure you know what networking opportunities are available on and off the show floor. Travel Savings Register early and receive savings on flights and hotel bookings.
Register now at: www.arabiantravelmarket.com/register09 Arabian Travel Market Customer Service Helpline: +44 (0)208 271 2158 Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of the Government of Dubai.
Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
The leading travel exhibition for the Middle East and pan Arab region
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Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s Games. The London authorities are aiming to boost the economy by an ambitious £2 billion ($ 2,9 billion). They insist that this will be achieved not by overpricing, yet by reasonable pricing and shrewd business. It has been stressed that it is extremely important to attract masses of normal people rather than a smaller amount of visitors willing to pay extraordinary prices for common services. The aim is to make the special Olympic buzz a firm positive rather than a negative. http://www.tourism-review.com http://www.etoa.org
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(vložka)
Olym p ic I m pact on To u ri s m
Olympic Impact on Tourism Benefits: Increase in room number Creation of infrastructures and services Increase in prices Spending multiplication effect Job creation Image Increased recognition Improved professional qualifications Source: Turismotorino.org ---------------
Costs: Impact on urban landscape More buildings Inconvenience for citizens – road works and renovation works Negative image from inadequate management Insufficient long-term productivity Management of sports structures Inconvenience for tourist flow Contamination
Hosting the Olympic Games seems certain to boost the economy of any place in the world. After all, this is thought to be the main reason why most cities around the globe which apply for the
Ma rch , 2009
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Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
WHAT TO DO WITH THE BIRD'S NEST? The
Bird's Nest, which was a showpiece of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and now is showing signs of decline in peeling paint will be converted into an entertainment and shopping centre in three to five years. The plans were recently announced by the National Stadium’s managing agency Citic Group. At the same time, it will seek to hold more sports and cultural performances. “The Bird's Nest will continue to have tourism as its major business, while gradually tapping its commercial facilities and turning them into a centre for entertainment and shopping,” said Citic Group.
Expensive Maintenance
The news was released shortly after the city's top soccer club, Guo'an, backed out from a deal
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Bei j i n g Olym p ic Ve n u e s
The Bird’s Nest was one of 12 venues built in Beijing for the Olympics. There were 31 venues (eight temporary and 11 renovated) in the city. Five more were outside Beijing. Most of the temporary venues will be razed. Some of the permanent ones have found uses, notably venues for swimming and tennis. The Water Cube, site of Michael Phelps’ record eight gold medals, will be converted to a waterpark and swimming center with much of the seating removed. The tennis stadium will host the China Open, a lucrative WTA-ATP event, later this year. Denverpost.com
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to lease the stadium. Now the 91.000-seat facility needs different way how to cover the high maintenance fees. According to the company, the operation of the 250,000-square-metre National Stadium will annually cost 60 million yuan ($ 8.82 million) making it particularly hard to make profit. The daily stream of about 10,000 mostly Chinese tourists who pay 50 yuan (about $7) to walk on the stadium floor cannot cover the costs at all. Critics point out that the officials appear to have no solid after use plans, just like prior Games. Experts doubt that the Stadium will ever recoup the $450 million the government spent to build it, particularly as China's economy worsens. According to the new project, the National Stadium should include a ring-shaped theme restaurant while a 50,000 sq m carnival theme park will be built in the public area of the Olympic Green, northeast of the Stadium. The officials say that the park will be able to hold 30,000 visitors at daily maximum capacity. The restaurant as well as the whole shopping center is expected to bring people back to the memorable moments of the Games and bring the much desired profits.
Tourism Industry in Trouble
Chinese tourism industry as such has last year witnessed a first drop since 2003. The numbers of visitors have decreased by 2 percent to 130 million in 2008 compared to 2007. Chinese tourism has been obviously hit by the global financial crisis. The most important source market for the People’s
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Republic is the United States, Europe and Japan, which all have problems with the economic meltdown. Local experts suppose that the country will receive a full hit from the crisis in the first half of 2009. It is not only the global economic crisis that has caused the drop. There has been the Sichuan earthquake, snow storms in southern China and also the Tibet riots. What more, the much acclaimed Olympic Games did not attract 500,000 overseas visitors as had been expected. Beijing received 389,000 foreign tourists in August, including those from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The reason for the low numbers was partly the tougher visa policy, high prices, as well as the extraordinary security measures. http://www.tourism-review.com
Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
SOCHI TO SPEND 8 TIMES MORE THAN VANCOUVER assessment during smaller sporting events prior to the Winter Olympics. Following the decision to hold the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at the Russian Black Sea resort city, large parts of it have turned into a giant construction site. Although visitors can’t yet see new stadiums and ski runs, the city itself is changing rapidly. Anyone who knew Sochi before 2007 would struggle to recognize the city now.
Expensive Construction
The
funding for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, is not according to the country’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin jeopardized by the current world economic crisis. “The financial difficulties we are seeing in the world today have had an impact on our country, but every-
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thing relating to the Olympic project is safeguarded by the budget, and its financing is guaranteed,” Putin said. “None of the Russian or foreign investors have abandoned their initial plans,” he added. The construction of the Olympic venues is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, enabling
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Over $12 billion will be spent to get the Black Sea resort geared up for the Winter Games – that's about eight times what Canada’s Vancouver will outlay for its upcoming 2010 Olympics. Vladimir Putin assured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that its members will be able to monitor developments using the latest information technology. “We’ve developed special software for tracking each object’s progress. It will also integrate all work done on the project. Thus, we and the International Olympic Committee, will get a non-stop, daily – and even hourly – control over everything happening as part of the project, and of the individual projects as well,” Putin said. The IOC plans to work closely with the organizers. Its members say every day is now a deadline. For decades Sochi has been a favorite holiday destination for millions of tourists. The city’s Mayor, Vladimir Afanasenkov, says that the Olympics won’t change it even with its building activity. “People are afraid that the construction works will disturb their
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Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
Prof e s siona l : T he (Un ) prof itabl e Oly mpi c G ame s
holiday. The design and construction works are located in a small sector of the city. The beach is 145 km long, but the construction, which is in the Imerety valley, is only 2 km long.” The plan is for most of the Olympic venues to be built in the Imereti valley and higher in the mountains – in Krasnaya Polyana, far away from Sochi’s densely populated city centre, as well as from the popular Black Sea beaches.
Tourism & Plans
Sochi is a city with more then 400,000 inhabitants representing over 100 nationalities. Over 84% of the citizens supported their city’s bid for the 2014 Olympics. Over four million tourists visit Sochi anMa rch , 2009
nually and with over 250 spa facilities in the area, health and leisure tourism are the city’s leading sources of economy. The officials plan to diversify the city’s economy from just summer tourism to include winter sports and business tourism. The area’s visitor base is expected to increase from the current four million to six million, making efficient year-round use of the infrastructure. The winter tourism season in Sochi currently attracts considerably fewer tourists than in the summer season (a 90% reduction). The city announced that it will offer more than 22.000 new hotel rooms of 3-star to 5-star by 2014. The wider Krasnaya Polyana region should see 3.000 new hotel rooms. Also, the transport infrastructure is
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to undergo considerable improvements. The airport should double its current capacity to 2,500 passengers per hour by 2014. Sochi’s Krasnaya Polyana region’s road network should be also upgraded and 59 km of highways to all the venues are planned. It is estimated that the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee can generate 485 million USD in domestic marketing revenues for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, including 300 million USD from local sponsors and 125 million USD from ticket sales. Photo: Flickr, Sochi2014.com http://www.russiatoday.com http://sochi2014.com
Active/Adventure Travel to Tee off In many regions golf is the perfect pastime only for the elite. In other parts of the world, like Scotland, it is just a common fun. How is it in Asia? Or New Zealand? Have you ever thought about golfing in Kenya? Also, come and read about the No. 1 golf destination of this year.
Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
SCOTLAND CROWNED «GOLF DESTINATION OF THE YEAR»
S
cotland confirmed its No. 1 status by taking the top prize of ‘Destination of the Year’ in the annual industry awards held by Britain’s best-selling magazine Today’s Golfer beating the Algarve (Portugal) into second place and Ireland into third. The significant accolade was announced as Scotland launched Homecoming Scotland 2009 – a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's National Poet, which is being marked with a programme of over 300 events on the themes of Burns, golf, whisky, ancestry and great Scottish minds. Ma rch , 2009
"I am delighted to learn that Scotland has been awarded the Best Golf Destination of the Year award in such a prestigious magazine as Today’s Golfer," said Malcolm Roughead, OBE, Director of Visitor Engagement at VisitScotland. "Scotland is the Home of Golf and it provides golfers with the ultimate golfing experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. With the return of The Open Championship to Turnberry this year in July it is extremely important for us to capitalize on the opportunity this presents to promote Scotland as the No. 1 golfing destination."
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G ol f Tou ri s m
Scotland is widely promoted as the ‘Home of Golf ’, and along with whisky and the long list of Scottish inventions and discoveries, golf is widely seen as being a key national cultural icon throughout the world. It is frequently used to market the country to potential visitors, for example for the Homecoming year in 2009, and golf tourism accounted for approximately 2% of overall Scottish tourism spending in 2004. Wi k ip e di a.org
Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
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L on g H i s tory
Golf in Scotland was first recorded in the 15th century, and the modern game of golf was first developed and established in the country. The game plays a key role in the national sporting consciousness. The R&A, based at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is the world governing body for the game (except in the United States and Mexico), and to many golfers the Old Course, an ancient links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage. The world’s first Open Championship was held at Prestwick in 1860, and Scots golfers have the most victories at the Open at 42 wins, one ahead of the United States. Although golf is often seen as an elitist sport elsewhere in the world, in the land of its birth it enjoys widespread appeal throughout the spectrum of society, in line with the country’s egalitarian tradition. For example, the Old Course at St Andrew’s and Musselburgh Links (which claims to be the oldest golf course in the world in continuous use) are public courses. Council-owned courses, with low fees and easy access, are common throughout the country wherever demography and geography allow. Wi k ip e di a.org
With over 550 golf courses across the country, Scotland has courses to suit all types of players from championship layouts to links courses, beautiful parklands and memorable hidden gems. Accommodation ranges from cosy family-run B&Bs to luxury 5* hotel resorts and VisitScotland offers a number of accommodation deals and golf packages to ensure all budgets are catered for.
Ma rch , 2009
To learn more about Scotland and its special place in history as the Home of Golf, VisitScotland’s golf ambassador Sam Torrance has created a special website http://samsscotland.visitscotland.com detailing his top tips for creating the best golfing break including his favourite holes, great value deals and who he thinks will pick up silverware in 2009. http://golf.visitscotland.com
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Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
YOUNG & FRESH: TOBIANO ROCKS OKANAGAN If
there is any question that time does fly when you’re having fun, take a run up to Tobiano near Kamloops, Canada, and ask Miles Mortensen what he thinks. “It really is an honor to be a part of it,” Mortensen grinned when asked about his role as the Director of Golf at Tobiano. “I don’t feel like it’s work as much as it is an opportunity to be part of a neat experience for myself and for my family.” What began for Mortensen in early 2007 as a position with no office, no telephones, no clubhouse and indeed, no golf course, has evolved quickly into an important role at an award-winning facility. In fact, Tobiano was named the Best New Golf Course in Canada last summer by SCOREGolf Magazine. “Things have been very good so far and we’re very happy with the market response,” Mortensen smiled. “The players who have come from Alberta and British Columbia have indicated they are quite thrilled with our product. There was plenty of anticipation initially and we are hearing from people now that they are very excited about coming back. It’s a good indication to us that we are providing the quality of experience the golfer is looking for.” The golf course opened softly in mid-2007, providing almost a rehearsal opportunity for the operation before the entire Tobiano development rose to prominence in 2008. The golf course, designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom along Kamloops Lake, is an outstanding piece of work. It’s a
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Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f healthy walk, perhaps spoiled only occasionally if a stiff breeze happens to take control of your golf ball. “There is really a balance to the design of the golf course,” Mortensen said. “Playability is important, but there is also quite a unique look to the layout. People feel the value is there and they tell us they are confident we are providing a good experience for their recreational dollar.” Tobiano is a master-planned resort community located on part of Six Mile Ranch, just 20 minutes from Kamloops. Residents enjoy a 100-slip marina, an equestrian centre and 17,000 acres of backcountry with fly-fishing lakes, hiking and riding trails. Tobiano’s resort town homes and singlefamily residences have been strategically positioned to ensure exceptional vistas are preserved for golfers, horse enthusiasts and residents alike.
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In addition to the resort’s unimpeded views, Tobiano will also consist of luxury hotels and a pedestrian-friendly retail village featuring cafés, restaurants and shops. “I’ve really been inspired by our leadership,” Mortensen said. “Michael Grenier has put much more into the development at Tobiano than I have to get the project to where it is today. The unique thing about the project is that Michael treats the employees like family and he wants us to play a key role here. It really does inspire the whole team and I’ve enjoyed watching how people are responding to the opportunity. It’s so rewarding to be a part of it.” By Glen Erickson http://www.bcgolfguide.com
Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
SPORT FOR ELITES: ASIAN GOLF RESORTS
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Virt ua l g ol f craze s wee p s S ou th Korea
Rather than waiting to play rounds at one of the growing number of golf courses in the country, South Koreans are taking to the sport’s virtual version. According to Business Week, 300,000 South Koreans regularly play at special cafes dedicated to the pastime. Kim Wonil, chief operating officer of Golfzon, told the publication that there are as many as 12,000 simulators populating some 3,000 ‘screen golf cafes’. Business Week’s Moon Ihlwan attempted to explain the trend: “It’s easy to understand why the demand is so great: Korea is a very expensive place to play golf the old-fashioned way. It costs about $300 per person to play a round, tee times are hard to secure, and joining a country club could burn a $500,000 hole in your wallet.” Typical food and refreshments served in a screen golf cafe are fried chicken and beer. G olfon lin e.c o.u k
A
mix of extravagant affluence and absolute poverty, Asia may be the most diverse continent culturally but its booming golf industry lacks the sort of quality and range that exists in stronger regions like Europe and North America. Generally speaking the game is still an elitist pursuit here, confined to poor destinations that cater to wealthy travelers or prosperous regions whose Ma rch , 2009
affluent golfers pay excessive fees for their pastime. There is little municipal or affordable golf anywhere in Asia, the established clubs tend to be expensive institutions with little regard for the aspiring golfer and modern development is largely confined to luxury resorts and lavish country clubs.
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In terms of participation, golf’s growth has been most pronounced in South Korea, where the success of tournament professionals abroad has led to a massive rise in the interest in the game. Unlike Japan, however, the domestic marketplace cannot support its two and half million golfers and many of the South East Asian resorts in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, built initially to cater for the traveling Japanese, are now focusing on the thriving Korean market. Despite most of its mountainous mainland being unsuitable for golf and the small southern island of Jeju almost at saturation point, the Korean government is determined to more than double the country’s two hundred courses by 2015. A rapid increase in wealth, together with inexpensive labor costs, has also led to huge growth in China with golf now part of some superb resort destinations, but unfortunately still inaccessible for the masses.
Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f Asian golfers are generally very brand conscious and it is no surprise that clubs able to buy championship pedigree or afford to pay the exorbitant appearance fees of big name professionals have the highest profiles. Most local golfers are more interested in a course built by Nicklaus or played by Tiger than one lauded in a professional book. For the discerning visitor therefore, seeking out the region’s celebrity layouts is generally a misguided practice. Some tour stops like the Bukit Course at Singapore Island Country Club, Fanling in Hong Kong, Nine Bridges, the World Cup Course at Mission Hills and Beijing’s Pine Valley are worth visiting, but most are largely forgettable. The likes of Spring City and Tiger Beach in China, Nicklaus’ Legends Course in Malaysia, Pinx and Blackstone on Jeju Island, Nirwana Bali, Ria Bintan and Bill Coore’s Klub Rimba Irian in Indonesia among the few unlikely Asian gems. The traditional western concept of a day’s golf is largely foreign in many parts of Asia, players can take up to three caddies, rounds can last half a day and the experience is as much about the culinary delights of the clubhouse as the quality of the golf holes. Although the market doesn’t appreciate good design and the steamy sauna-like climate is unsuited to the growing of decent golf grasses, there are some great sites here and the sumptuous resort facilities, friendly locals and few genuine standouts featured in the following pages are all worth celebrating. http://ausgolf.com.au
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Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
KENYA: PERFECT CLIMATE AND EXCELLENT VARIETY T
ypical rounds of golf in Kenya may, in fact, seem quite atypical. But then again, sometimes the more exotic the destination, the more rewarding the golf experience. Imagine teeing it up on a lengthy course, surrounded by warm air and a plethora of nature. The course, designed for the walking golfer only, as is the country’s norm, sits on the slopes of an extinct volcano. After an exhausting round, you retire to one of Kenya’s numerous peaceful beaches to stare into the heart of the blue ocean, preparing for the next trip around one of the country’s 38 diverse golf courses, 11 of which are challenging enough to host championship events, and one that rests right on the equator.
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“One of the most appealing features of golfing in Kenya is the variety,” says Tab Cohen owner of Tobs Kenya Golf Safaris. “From the beach clubs set among palms and casuarinas with stunning views of the sapphire Indian Ocean, to those dominated by the perennial snow-caps of Mount Kenya, there is a medley of courses each vying for priority as the most attractive location and interest.” One of Kenya’s most attractive attributes, and one of the characteristics that first convinced colonists to begin building courses, is the climate – perfect for year round golf. The temperature rarely cools, and in some parts, daylight spans up to 12 hours. While April and November are the rainy season for Kenya, the majority of the precipitation comes before 10 am, and after 5 pm, still providing golfers with ample opportunities to get a round in. Although vacationers and golfers are sure to find plenty of nice weather, they will not find golf carts, anywhere. A trend that is losing favor in the United States, all of Kenya’s clubs offer the services of experienced caddies, many of which are ready to lend a helping hand as golfers make their way around the difficult courses. The golf industry in Kenya began when European colonists built the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, a 7,021-yard, par 72 course. And now, nearly a century later, the club remains one of the country’s most popular, and hosts several prestigious events each year.
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As opposed to the relatively flat but lengthy front nine, the backside at Royal Nairobi challenges all golfers with its rolling hills and uneven lies. With the Ngong Hills looming in the background, and various species of trees and flowers peppered across the course, it is one of Kenya’s most aesthetically pleasing golf clubs. Golf course construction in Kenya has not slowed much since Royal Nairobi opened in 1906, and many of Kenya’s original courses are being lengthened to 18 holes. The Great Rift Valley Golf Club, one of the country’s newest, is distinctively shorter than other area courses, but equally challenging all the way until the last putt falls on the massive, sloping 18th green. Many of Kenya’s courses sit at above-average altitudes, the most notable of which is the Sigona Golf Club, resting at 6,600 feet. The view from the elevated tees is one of hilly fairways and lush grass,
Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f kept green by the plentiful amount of rainfall in the Rift Valley. Built at the edge of the Karura forest, the Muthaiga Golf Club is a regular stop of the European PGA tour as it hosts the Kenya Open Championship. Narrow fairways and water hazards make for treacherous tee shots, but it is the well-protected greens that are a golfer’s worst enemy as they are often coined the fastest in East Africa. From the forest to the water, Leisure Golf Club is the only golf course located on Kenya’s south coast, but it is well worth the trip. American-style sand traps and marshy hazards populate the fairways, all setting the stage for the par-five, dogleg finishing hole complete with a water hazard, home to crocodiles, that will test a golfers accuracy and wits. The golf fanatic can spend weeks traveling around the country, visiting each of the courses, and experiencing something a little bit different each round. Those searching to perfect their iron play can look no further than the Mount Kenya Safari Club. Opened in 1959, the nine-hole, par-three course is as challenging as it is beautiful, combining a variety of wildlife and plants with water hazards and sloping greens. And with several of the courses situated very near Nairobi, the capital, even the busiest of business travelers can find time to experience golf in Kenya. “The opportunity to play your favorite game, to see wildlife, sometimes on the course, and to relax on the beautiful white sandy beaches all during the same holiday is unique,” said Cohen. By Shawn Nicholls Photo: Kenya-golf-safaris.com http://www.worldgolf.com Ma rch , 2009
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Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
NEW ZEALAND: GOLF, GRANDEUR & GRAPES The North Island
After arriving in Auckland, you’ll connect for a short, scenic flight to the Bay of Islands. Here, toward the northern tip of the North Island in the Northland you’ll find Kauri Cliffs, Golf Magazine’s 63rd best course in the world and hedge fund financier Julian Robertson’s first New Zealand development. Opened in 2000 and routed among 800 acres of strange fern forest, marshland and cliff tops, this is a fitting introduction to the Kiwi game. There are several forced carries and 200 hundred foot death drops to keep things interesting but Florida architect David Harman has crafted a completely playable ensemble with wide landing areas and generous greens. Tee times every half hour allow you to have the course to yourself which will serve you well on 14 tee where you’ll need a moment to take in the scene of the Cavailli Islands and Matauri Bay. Back at the lodge, eleven cottages are on offer each containing two one-bedroom suites. The bedroom is large, the fireplace is hot and the 180° views over the golf course to the Pacific promise a sunrise you’ll wake up to wait for. Where Northland has its beaches and Auckland its great waterfront restaurants, Lake Taupo is the centerpiece of your next stop and quite possibly the most adventurous with active volcanoes and some of the world’s most highly prized fly fishing. You’ll find distinctly Kiwi accommodation at numerous local lodge and ranch properties, all of which leave you within striking distance of two of the country’s Ma rch , 2009
most highly regarded layouts: Wairakei International and Mr. Robertson’s second masterpiece – Cape Kidnappers. Wairakei is the finest non-coastal course in the country. Opened in 1970 as New Zealand’s first golf resort, then given a major makeover in the late 90s, it’s a parkland layout requiring target-golf skills to negotiate strategic bunkering and tree-lined fairways. The par-5 14th hole previously held title as the country’s longest at 602 yards but you’ll remember it for the 150 foot pine tree in the middle of the fairway forcing your second shot left or right. Next you’re bound for Cape Kidnappers, a Tom Doak creation unleashed on the world in 2004 immediately putting New Zealand on the must conquer list for every fearless player willing to test his true mettle. Ladies are welcome of course but nearby Napier and Art Deco City are far more forgiving than a track featuring the likes of “Pirate’s Plank” – the 653 yd, par-5 fifteenth with cliff left, ravine right. It’s all very simple on the Plank; short grass or Davy Jones’ Locker. Most of the back nine plays atop these bizarre finger ridges with chasms in-between and 500 foot cliffs to the Pacific representing the most audacious piece of property ever turned into a golf course. The front nine plays through farmland for the most part but there is nary a cream puff among them. It’s a challenge to be sure but with the recent opening of onsite luxury lodging at The Farm (24 suites and a four bedroom Owner’s Cottage), Cape Kidnappers now offers comfort in equal measure.
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Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f Away from the battlefield there are ample opportunities to lick your wounds. The Hawke’s Bay Wine Country is one of the country’s three major winemaking regions, and New Zealand’s premier destination for food, wine and lifestyle. Relax on golden sand beaches, swim with dolphins, visit the National Aquarium or tour the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. Nearby Napier is home to 55,000 Kiwis and one of the world’s largest concentrations of Art Deco architecture. Leveled by an earthquake in 1931, the city’s re-founding fathers built what looks to be a Jazz Age movie set but it is quite real and uniquely charming with excellent shopping and restaurants. Fifteen minutes south of Napier is prestigious Mangapapa Lodge. This
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1885, colonial-style homestead with a wraparound veranda and 12 individually decorated suites was treated to a complete renovation in 2005. With more than 20 acres of lush, green, manicured gardens brimming with roses, established trees and orchards, it is one of the country’s very finest small hotels. Back in Lake Taupo, its time to go rainbow trout fishing after you check in to Huka Lodge. Hidden on the banks of the Waikato River just 300 meters upstream from the mighty Huka Falls, Huka Lodge was founded 70 years ago as a simple fishing lodge then in 1984 was converted into the country’s first and most luxurious boutique hotel. Today the property lures those seeking the most extraordinary of
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retreats. Huka has just 20 guest rooms and suites; each set privately in native bush, each overlooking the swift flowing Waikato. The Owner’s Cottage has recently been refurbished and offers four superbly appointed guest suites, living room, dining, kitchen and a den plus provision for staff. It is ideal for groups who prefer the private luxuries of an exclusive use property. Fly fishing is available on 23 nearby streams and rivers where the Lodge’s fishing guides will introduce some of the finest Rainbow and Brown trout spots in existence. Wilderness areas are offered by helicopter and off-road vehicles. On Lake Taupo, boat fishing will explore the many isolated coves and inlets fringing the edges of the great lake.
Acti v e / A dv e n t u re : Trav el to Te e of f
The South Island
New Zealand’s South Island offers the nation’s best mountain courses. On the east coast, less than an hour’s drive inland from Christchurch, is Terrace Downs. Located in one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth – at the base of Mt Hutt overlooking the Rakaia Gorge – the resort offers an incomparable luxury leisure experience on 550 acres of secluded New Zealand High Country. The 7,046 yard, par 72, championship course features four tee positions for players of all abilities. Played against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, you will need to keep an eye out for 11 lakes and 70 bunkers. The entire round is a picture book experience but the panoramas are poignantly interrupted by the diminutive 16th, a 3-par of only 143 yards from the tips, but whose tee box hangs on the edge of the gorge with the Rakaia River over 200 feet below. Beyond splendid golf, Terrance Downs also offers guided salmon and trout fishing. Guests
i How many reasons do you need to take the golf trip of two lifetimes? Here are six: 1. Our winter is their summer. (Palm Springs is fine but New Zealand is phenomenal.) 2. Their golf is played among some of the most dramatic and diverse landscapes on earth. (Keeping your head down is not an option.) 3. New Zealand is unique for its collection of boutique luxurious lodge-style hotels. (Think Four Seasons gets back to nature.) 4. Their Pinot Noir is becoming as recognized as their Sauvignon Blanc. (Prepare your palate.) 5. Fly fishing here is absolutely second to none. (The ladies will catch Art Deco City.) 6. Their dollar exchanges favorably with our dollar. (Start packing!)
Ma rch , 2009
can receive fishing tuition and equipment to enjoy a wide selection of spring creeks, mountain streams, lakes and snow fed rivers along with raft based trips and helicopter to access the more remote waters. The majestic Southern Alps of New Zealand also hold some of the world’s finest big game animals available for free range hunting safaris plus hunts on exclusive private land. Superb accommodation is offered in one, two and three bedroom Villa Suites plus three and four bedroom Fairway Chalets. All feature spacious open plan lounges, dining areas with gas fires, fully equipped kitchens and balconies providing majestic views over the golf course of the Southern Alps. Three hundred miles south west of Christchurch, about half way to a land many consider to be the eight wonder of the world, is Millbrook Resort. Situated on 500 acres of what was once a wheat farm, then a recovery center for soldiers injured in World War One, then a bootleggers hideout, the spot now offers one of New Zealand’s top alpine
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golf courses and a highly regarded spa. Sir Bob Charles (1963 British Open champion at Royal Lytham & St. Annes) designed the perfect layout for a location blessed with the spectacular Remarkables mountain range – wide fairways, minimal trouble and numerous elevated tees from which to take in the scenery. Ample risk-reward opportunities invite numerous swings for shot-of-the-day. The Spa at Millbrook is a total health and wellness experience, with leading edge treatments designed for head to toe restoration. You’ll encounter the latest therapies for skin detoxification, hydrotherapy, advanced skin care, personal grooming, massage and facial therapies. Beyond the resort, the Queenstown’s area is world-class hub for adventure tourism with a menu of thrills from skydiving, whitewater rafting, hanggliding, and jet boating the spectacular Dart River. For lovers of fine wines nearby Otago is home to 75 wineries serving 177 vineyards. Pinot Noir from this region is widely recognized to be among the best in the world. You can visit over 200 ‘cellar door’ operations under your own steam or with a wine tour. West of the resort, and deserving a full day of your attention, is stunning Milford Sound. Located in 3 million acres of the Fiordland National Park and reaching nearly 10 miles inland from the Tasman Sea, sheer rock faces rise more than 1,300 feet about the water on either side. In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations. By all appearances, Tu Te had quite a swing. http://www.perrygolf.com
TRANSPORT Eco Transport Sustainability is the word of today’s travel. Even for cars, buses and airplanes. Read about the Bionic project bringing biofuels to cities, about Alcatraz hybrid ferry that make use even of recycled vodka bottles, or about the colorful stickers you need when entering Frankfurt am Main in Germany.
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BIONIC: SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS IN THE COMMUNITY i
T rav e l er s f i n di n g earth - f rie n dly mea n s .
Whether it’s sharing rides to and from the airport or printing only essential pages of their itineraries, travelers are casting a critical eye on earth-friendlier habits, a new survey by a leading ground transportation company shows. The GO Group LLC, polled 400 travelers to find that more than 80 percent intend to take shared rides to and from the airport, reducing both fuel consumption and emissions. Another 80 percent of respondents said they plan to print only essential pages of travel confirmation details, saving paper and ink. More than 70 percent cited use of the bathroom in the airport in order to reduce the need for fuel to power the flush on the plane. And 57 percent of respondents plan to refill security-mandated 3-ounce containers with their own toiletries in a bid to recycle. Survey respondents also offered their own earth-friendly travel tips, such as bringing fewer pieces of luggage and using the minimum amount of hotel towels. In one instance, a traveler suggested paying a carbon-offset fee after every trip. G o a ir p or tshutt l e. c om
We
love transport. The last century saw a boom in our transport options and raised our expectations of travel to unforeseen heights. Anyone of us could be on the other side of the world by tomorrow. This insatiable hunger to broaden our horizons does have the odd downside however. Not least of these is the contribution that our expeditions make to human induced climate change, or to be more exact the impact that our choice of fuel has.
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In the UK, Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG – a basket of gases which exacerbate human induced climate change, of which CO2 is the most prevalent and well known but by no means the most potent) have been on a generally reducing trajectory in recent years from all sectors apart from one, yes you guessed it transport. Transport is a difficult area to tackle because it is highly emotive. Despite being relatively recent
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inventions cars, vans, trucks and planes have become as deeply embedded in our lives as their forbearers, trains and boats. It is difficult for the majority of us to think of life without them and difficult for some to even consider a life where we might use them less. If we are to make serious inroads into GHG emissions we are going to have to think more about the journeys we do make and how necessary they are.
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However there are other things that we could do too. As we have already alluded to, it isn’t the fact that we are travelling huge distances that is the central problem, it is how we travel. Cars, vans, planes and boats are all hugely dependant upon fossil fuels. Electricity plays a much bigger role in the rail sector but ultimately the majority of the world’s electricity grids are still reliant on fossil fuels too. If we are going to avoid draconian cuts in travel we need to move away from fossil fuels. Ma rch , 2009
Biofuels are one way in which our road transport in particular may be able to diverge from GHG emissions. In late 2007 nine partners from five European countries came together to promote the production and use of sustainably produced biofuels through BIONIC – BIOfuel Networks In the Community. BIONIC is a three year project examining the potential of and barriers to the increased production and use of road biofuels in the partner areas, with the emphasis on sustainability. The project is partly financed by the EC’s Intelligent Energy – Europe programme. Active in Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Sweden and England, BIONIC recognises that if biofuels are going to play a role in reducing GHG emissions they need to be properly managed. For biofuels to make their full contribution they must avoid undue conflict with food crops, they must avoid indirect effects and they must be shown to reduce GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels. The good news is that all of these can be achieved today. The most important thing is not to view biofuels as the answer. In the near term it is hard to see how sustainably produced biofuels alone can replace all of our fossil fuels. They must be viewed as a part of the solution. For some the fact that they can’t do the job on their own is a reason not to develop them. We believe that we need to use all of the tools at our disposal to tackle climate change and encourage energy diversification, so we must fully exploit sustainable biofuels so that they can do their share. And that is the key message for our transport future. There are many technologies, fuels and demand management tools which can help us to get to a low carbon transport system. There is no one silver bullet. We must ensure that they are each used in the most appropriate way to achieve Europe’s challenging carbon reduction targets.
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We believe that BIONIC is a small but important step in the right direction. If you would like to know more about the work of BIONIC please visit the website www.bionic-project.eu where you will find a description of the work and contact details. Businesses with an interest in sustainable biofuel are welcome to join the local network groups in each partner area.
By Andrew Leadbetter BIONIC Coordinator: Merseytravel (UK) BIONIC Partners: Lancashire County Council (UK), Transport and Travel Research Ltd (UK), Region Varmland (Sweden), Ploiesti Municipality (Romania), Ploiesti University of Petroleum and Gas (Romania), Regional Energy Agency of Pazardjik (Bulgaria), Foundation Innovation Centre of Integral Logistics Cantabria (Spain) and FEDARENE (Belgium) http://www.bionic-project.eu/
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ALCATRAZ BY HYBRID FERRY Tier 2 marine engines that are outfitted with selective catalytic reduction units. In December 2008 Alcatraz Cruises launched its next eco-friendly phase, unveiling the Hornblower Hybrid, a 64-foot long catamaran that uses a combination of solar power, wind power as well as other alternative technologies. Two ten-foot tall wind turbines harness the wind while a photovoltaic solar array on the top deck leverages sun rays. Battery banks store this converted wind and solar input in order to power the onboard navigation, lighting systems and other marine technology.
An Extreme Makeover
The Hornblower Hybrid also uses Tier 2 marine diesel engines. With such features as Vetrazzodesigned countertops made from recycled vodka bottles, LED lighting and carpeting composed of
i
San Francisco covers just over forty-seven square miles. Every year about sixteen million visitors find their way to this small patch of the West coast, attracted to the ambiance, restaurants and scenic beauty of this city by the Bay. At least one million of them also board the ferry that carries them to Alcatraz Island. This is the iconic tourist destination whose history as a notorious federal prison and then an outpost for American Indians has eclipsed its earlier use as a lighthouse and military fortress. Ma rch , 2009
Cruisin’ the Bay Boat trips to the Island only take a matter of minutes. But daily round trips to and fro take an environmental toll on the San Francisco Bay waters. Alcatraz Cruises, the National Park Service ferry provider for Alcatraz Island, is ramping up to be the ‘greenest concessionaire’ in the National Park Service system. They have reengineered two of their diesel-powered ferryboats with more fuel-efficient
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H or n b l ower H y b ri d :
• Carpet – Carpeting contains post consumer recycled materials and is recyclable. • Counter tops – Vetrazzo counter tops throughout the vessel are made from pieces of recycled vodka bottles. • Lights – LED fixtures light the main deck and pilothouse of the vessel. These fixtures require a fraction of the energy of standard bulbs and provide an equal or greater amount of illumination. • Interior signage – A significant portion of the interior signage is printed on Plyboo, a composite material made from sustainable sources and contains no harmful chemicals. Al c at r az cr uis es .c om
T ra n sp ort: E co Tran sp or t recycled material; the ferryboat itself can easily be considered an extreme makeover, having been a commercial diving boat previous to this reincarnation. Tegan Firth, Alcatraz Cruises’ Corporate Public Relation Manager says looking for money-saving strategies was not the driver for building the new ferry: “We are very interested in testing alternative eco-friendly technologies,” she explains. The cruise company has plans on the drawing board to introduce another hybrid ferry into their San Francisco Bay operations as well as into their group of ferries that now carry New York tourists to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For more information: Alcatraz Cruises http://www.alcatrazcruises.com By Patricia Kutza
The leading travel exhibition for the Middle East and pan Arab region
Photo: Alcatraz Cruises (John A. Martini)
Patricia Kutza is a U.S. travel, business and technology journalist based in the San Francisco Bay region. She crafts features for such outlets as Bay Area Kids Magazine, Excell, Acura, Journeys, Executive Traveler, and San Joaquin Magazines. She invites readers to visit her new blog at http://www.examiner.com/x-2336-VallejoCommunity-Examiner. In the Know Content Driven Find out who’s exhibiting plus more Be the first to know what seminars, about their products and services with press conferences and launches are our email newsletters. scheduled at the event.
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Arabian Travel Market 2009 Plan Ahead Find exhibitors who meet your needs 5–8 May 2009 appointments. and start scheduling
Dubai International
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Networking Plan ahead by registering early and ensure you know what networking opportunities are available on and off the show floor. Travel Savings Register early and receive savings on flights and hotel bookings.
Register now at: www.arabiantravelmarket.com/register09 Arabian Travel Market Customer Service Helpline: +44 (0)208 271 2158 Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of the Government of Dubai.
One Event, Unlimited Destinations
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www.arabiantravelmarket.com
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GOODBYE FUEL WORLD
tensely aerodynamic and flown on a fuel derived from algae. The stuff of science fiction? Perhaps not. Two problems have prodded the aviation industry into a search for new fuels: increasing global demand for oil from all industry sectors, accompanied by a steep rise in oil prices; and the requirement and expectation that the aviation industry plays its part in reducing its environmental impact. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), today's global fleet is 65 per cent more fuel-efficient than it was in 1970. And the clean technology of modern aircraft engines has almost eliminated emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. This, however, clearly isn't going to be enough, and the IATA wants a carbon-free aircraft flying by 2050.
Dropping in
Air
travel is responsible for 700 million tonnes– around three per cent–of global carbon emissions every year. But if the growth of aviation continues, this could rise to three billion tonnes by 2050. Now, despite being perceived as resistant to environmental change, aircraft manufacturers and airlines have come together in an unprecedented act of co-operation in the search to survive in a world after kerosene.
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Fast forward to the year 2040. Your flight from London to Singapore has many trappings familiar from the days of fossil-fuelled aviation, such as long queues at check-in and interminable delays at the gate. But other elements are quite different. Having reached the end of their working lives, the antiquated generation of Airbus 380 Superjumbos and Boeing 787 Dreamliners are being replaced by twin-fuselage aircraft, in-
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There are good reasons why kerosene has fuelled aviation's extraordinary expansion: it has a high energy content, an extremely low freezing point at altitude and proven reliability. Furthermore, the world's major airlines have invested heavily in leasing new aircraft with a working life of at least 30 years, so aviation has effectively locked itself into the kerosene-propelled design for the foreseeable future. This means that the alternative to kerosene will have to be a 'drop-in' fuel, one that meets the precise technical and operational specifications with which jet engines have been designed to work, and could simply replace kerosene in the supply, storage and transportation chain of existing jet aircraft. The industry's primary focus is on second-generation biofuels from sources such as algae or jatropha. In February 2008, a Virgin Atlantic 747 flew from London to Amsterdam using fuel derived from Bra-
T ra n sp ort: E co Tran sp or t zilian babassu nuts and coconuts. The same month, Airbus flew one of its new A380s with one engine powered by an alternative fuel known as gas to liquid (GTL). The test involved the conversion of synthesized natural gas to liquid using what's known as the Fischer-Tropsch process. GTL has similar greenhouse gas emissions to kerosene, but fewer particulates, which may have some mitigating effects on contrails and on air quality at airports on the ground. Rolls-Royce and British Airways, meanwhile, are evaluating alternative-fuels tenders from more than 30 companies for a series of tests to be conducted next year. Some airlines are understood to envisage GTL as an alternative fuel, although Airbus discounts this. Instead, it argues that the success of its test flight established the principle of using alternative fuels in a system designed for kerosene-propelled jet engines. Rather than GTL, Airbus expects this to be biomass to liquid (BTL) fuel. 'We've demonstrated that GTL works, so when we find a second-generation biofuel feedstock that can be produced in industrialised quantities, then we can use the Fischer-Tropsch process,' says Justin Dubon, a spokesman for Airbus. 'The fuel that comes out is indistinguishable from jet fuel, other than that it comes from sustainable and clean sources. Finding the right fuel that scales up is the big challenge.' Airbus aims to have identified this source by 2015, and it reckons that by 2025, a quarter of all jet fuel could be from non-processed oil sources. It estimates that by 2030, up to 30 per cent of all aviation fuel could be sourced from second-generation biofuels. The need for the fuel to scale up is vital. If firstgeneration biofuels were used, then one calculation has concluded that, in order to supply the needs of all Europe's airlines, the whole of Europe would Ma rch , 2009
have to be planted with the crop. Other, more energy-intensive potential solutions offer more hope. A senior expert at a major airline says that if algae were used as a BTL fuel, 'you would only need to cover Belgium to meet the same needs'. It appears unlikely that one single fuel source will replace kerosene, but that a range of fuelstocks will be converted to liquids of compatible standards– less a silver bullet, according to Richard Altman, executive director of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, and more a 'silver buckshot' solution. 'Some fuels could only be grown in certain parts of the world,' says Altman, who envisages a scenario where an aircraft would land in New Delhi, refuel on jatropha-based BTL, then fly to New York where it might refuel on algae-based BTL. 'The need would be to have all such fuels compatible and sufficiently generic to accommodate different sources in different locations.'
Designs on the Future
The move for more environmentally friendly flights has also turned to air traffic control. According to the IATA, the redesign of air routes and improvements in air traffic management could reduce fuel burn by between eight and 18 per cent. Other proposals appear to inhabit the deeper recesses of the 'Dan Dare' imagination. Among the more eye-catching concepts suggested is a twinfuselage aircraft designed by scientists at Russia's Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute and submitted to the EU-funded New Aircraft Concepts Research (NACRE) group. While the scientists outline what they describe as promising results, they admit that the design 'may lack passenger appeal'. Such startling prototype designs abound, and generally aim to improve airplane efficiency through a major change in the airframe configuration. According to Ilan Kroo, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at California's Stanford University, these
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include planes with a blended-wing body (BWB) design, where the thick centrebody accommodates passengers and cargo without the extra weight of a fuselage. Versions of the BWB have been designed to accommodate 250-800 passengers. NACRE is also looking at ways to overcome ever-stricter demands to reduce noise pollution, and such steps could also help cut emissions. Current research is focusing on open-rotor engines, which involve an exposed turbine rather than the conventional huge fan and would, for safety reasons, probably require the engine to be located in the middle of the aircraft. Rolls-Royce reckons that open-rotor engines will be available in the second half of the next decade, and tests by Boeing and others have found that they reduce fuel burn by anything from ten to 30 per cent. The Silent Aircraft Initiative, a
T ra n sp ort: E co Tran sp or t aircraft in this range and size. This is equivalent to a Toyota Prius hybrid car carrying two passengers. The design would also produce noise of around 63dBA outside the airport perimeter– about 25dB quieter than current aircraft. Other areas being explored by the team include putting the engines above the aircraft, so that the body of the plane itself shields the ground from noise; embedding them in long ducts, muffled with acoustic liners; and relocating the engines inside the airframe.
The Light Fantastic
UK-government-sponsored joint venture between the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is taking aircraft design further into the realm of noiseless flight. The Cambridge-MIT team is exploring ways for the entire plane to create lift, not just the wings. The prototype SAX-40 aircraft, which would carry 215 passengers, has engines located where you would expect the tailfin to be, and would burn fuel at a rate of 53 passenger kilometres per litre of fuel, compared with about 42 for the best current Ma rch , 2009
The concept of the airship as a means of mass transport, which apparently went down in flames with the Hindenburg in 1937, is also enjoying a revival–although in a significantly revised form–and research and development work on launching a new era of lighter-than-air transportation is surprisingly active. In the USA, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (part of the US Department of Defense) is actively developing prototype airship drones for surveillance and freight transport; in the UK, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), a Bedfordshirebased company, says it can deliver its first Skycat hybrid air vehicle within 36 hours of a confirmed order. The hybrid air vehicle differs from the traditional airship not only in appearance but also in structure, with a hovercraft-style base enabling it to take off and land vertically or from short airstrips. The craft also has greater maneuverability than a conventional airship, as it banks to corner. Flying at around 100 knots (185 kilometres per hour) and at an altitude of 3,000-4,000 feet (900-1,200 metres), its fuel consumption–typically of kerosene, although biofuels or GTL could also be used–works out at around half that of a typical 737.
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But those looking to fly commercially in such a craft shouldn't hold their breath. 'There are a lot of dreamers in this industry, and while passenger flight is something we have in mind, they won't be the first orders,' says Ken Nippress, chief scientist for HAV. Instead, the company anticipates creating a niche market for freight transportation; for example, carrying cars made in China to the central USA in two or three days, replicating sea freight cargoes.
Carbon Targets
For now, however, it's all about kerosene. The airlines, despite their protestations that aviation's contribution to climate change is modest, know that they have to clean up their act, for reasons of selfpreservation as well as the environment. British Airways aims to halve its carbon emissions by 2050 and reduce the ratio of carbon per passenger-kilometre travelled from 111 grams today to 83 grams by 2025, partly with the aid of emissionstrading schemes. 'We clearly understand that flying is a polluting activity and we need to minimise it,' says Jonathon Counsell, head of environment for BA. 'Carbon involves a cost and airlines should pay for the damage we inflict on the environment. Our right to exist as a business depends on our ability to reduce our impact on the environment.' Inaction, according to Altman, isn't an option. 'Everybody's going to have to worry about fuel supplies,' he says. 'If aviation simply relies on fossil fuels, then there will be limitations to growth. There's a perception that aviation could be the industry that uses the last drop of fuel. But does it want to have that against its name?' By Mark Rowe http://www.futureoftourism.com
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WORLD’S LONGEST SOLAR RACE IN SA On
Tuesday 7 October a fleet of odd-looking vehicles rolled into Pretoria after an epic two-week, 4.175km round-trip across South Africa’s heartland and back along its coastline. This was the end of the inaugural South African Solar Challenge, the longest and toughest solar-powered race in the world, and the first sanctioned by the Federation International de l'Automobile (International Automobile Federation, or FIA). Setting off from Pretoria in Gauteng province on 28 September, the race covered the 530km to Kimberley in the Northern Cape by that evening. The next day they headed to Beaufort West, and the next to the coastal city of Cape Town, where the cars were on display in Canal Walk shopping centre on 1 October. The route back to Pretoria took the long way, east along South Africa’s coastline via Plettenberg Bay, East London, Port Shepstone, Durban and Ermelo. The South African Solar Challenge is similar to those run in the US and Australia for years, but with the distinction that it is sanctioned by FIA, the body that administers all motor sport including Formula 1 racing. The Australian and US races predate FIA’s interest in alternative-fuel racing, so they have their systems well established. Because the South African Solar Challenge is a brand new event, FIA was on board from the beginning. It’s probably only a matter of time until the other big solar races fall into line with FIA requirements, or the association alters its requirements to accommodate the established races.
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Energy Efficiency
While the race is probably the most exciting, and certainly the most visually interesting, part of the event, it is in fact a small aspect of it. What it’s really all about is designing and building the cars. These are not production vehicles – every one is designed
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and built by the team that races it, and most teams are attached to universities or alternative energy technology companies. Efficiency is more important than speed, as solar cars are effectively electric cars, constrained by battery technology. Batteries have 50 times less
T ra n sp ort: E co Tran sp or t wiched between two escort cars to protect them from careless fellow road users, and protect other road users from them. In a previous solar race elsewhere, one of the cars had brake failure, but – fortunately – only crumpled its nose against its escort vehicle. What would be more disastrous is for an 18-wheeler to drive over one. They’re hard to see – being close to the ground, streamlined and almost invisible as the top surface is covered in dark, reflective solar panels. The top of some cars wouldn’t even reach the wheel nuts of a big truck.
Challenge, Adventure and Technology
energy density than petrol. A litre of petrol weighs a bit less than a kilogram, and that will take the average car about 10km. One kilogram of fully charged battery, however, will take a car of about the same weight no more than a couple of hundred metres. In order to race an electric car 4 000km, you need to regularly recharge the batteries, hence the solar panels. So the race is not judged on speed, but on distance covered. Each car is accompanied by a trailer and, if they run out of power, they can opt to get back on the trailer and get credit for the mileage they’ve done, Ma rch , 2009
or they can stop and wait for the batteries to recharge. The more experienced drivers plan their energy consumption in such a way that they never run out of power, by driving slower, planning their stops and understanding the energy losses in the total system. If the weather is particularly bad or the road conditions unsafe, the organisers can call for all vehicles to be trailered. All the vehicles, regardless of class, have to have effective brakes and regulation lights. But they aren’t actually roadworthy, so each car is sand-
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The race has three categories: Challenge, Adventure and the rather anomalous but exciting Technology Class, or Green Fleet. This last is open to either production vehicles using alternative fuels, or one-off designs. But the first South African Solar Challenge had only one entry in this class – a hybrid motorcycle from Malaysia. Winstone Jordaan, the event organiser, said that he hoped that in the next event, scheduled for 2010, commercial vehicle manufacturers would use the race to showcase their alternative-fuel models. By then there should be many more alternatively powered cars on the road, so this class could become seriously competitive. The Challenge Class is the most demanding, as the cars need to be a bit more “normal”. They must have a sit-up seat, not a reclining one, and generally be something that most people could actually imagine driving. Of the two leading vehicles in the race, that belonging to Team Sunna and designed, built and driven by Divwatt was the only one to qualify for this class. The Japanese entry, designed by engineering students from Tokai University, is by far the fastest
T ra n sp ort: E co Tran sp or t and most efficient car in the fleet. Competing in the Adventure Class, it was the overall winner and an inspiration to the other competitors. At 11 years old the vehicle is a solar-race veteran, and the Japanese team exudes an air of professionalism that shows they have been doing this for some time. While most of the other drivers are students, alternative technology buffs or engineers, the Japanese team has a string of five professional race drivers–all capable of doing repairs on the vehicle–as well as a small battalion of engineers.
The Spirit of the Race
While it is an actual race, the spirit of the event is not particularly competitive. There were only six teams and, by the time they had reached Cape Town, only two cars had managed to run under their own steam – or sunshine. Most were plagued by technical or logistical problems. The two Indian teams were struggling to get their cars through customs into the country in time. In the spirit of the event they were hoping to drive a leg or two, even if they had no chance of winning. Two of the three South African teams had technical problems they were hoping to sort out so that they could, at least, do some of the race. Hermann Oelsner, the owner of Silver Fox, relates how Georg Brasseur, the FIA technical representative, stayed up until early in the morning trying to help him sort out his technical hitch after his car blew up its controller at the start. A few sparks, a fizz and then a sinking feeling as, after an exhausting resuscitation attempt, the phrase dreaded by every car owner was said: “We need this one small part …” This particular part had to come from Germany. It hadn’t arrived by Wednesday 1 October and Oelsner decided to take his car back home to DarMa rch , 2009
ling, where he runs South Africa’s first privately owned wind farm, which supplies electricity to the City of Cape Town. Even though the vehicle had done no actual mileage, he said, he had learned a lot on the race and will come fully prepared in 2010 – probably with a huge box of spare parts in the support vehicle. Being the first time the event was run, all involved have used it as a learning experience – the organisers and the competitors.
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“It’s a huge learning curve,” Jordaan said. “We’ve had no sponsorship so we haven’t managed to do much in the way of publicity or marketing, but we’re hoping to rectify that in 2010.” The organisers had hoped for more international competitors, he said, but the top teams stayed away because there was little in the way of exposure or kudos. They’d had a few nibbles but, Jordaan thinks, perhaps the course put them off.
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Tough Going
It’s not only the longest solar-powered race in the world, it’s the toughest. It’s mostly downhill from Pretoria to Cape Town, but the Hex River Mountains outside Cape Town pose a challenging barrier, with some nasty climbs. Getting out of Cape Town via the coast means negotiating Sir Lowry’s Pass and Houwhoek Pass, both high, steep and twisted. There are a few bumps and grinds further along the coast, such as the notorious Kei Cuttings in the Eastern Cape. And it’s all uphill from the coast back up to Gauteng. So not having much to gain and everything to lose if the terrain proved too taxing, the really competitive teams stayed home. The event was held as a stage race, with all the teams leaving together and spending each night in the same place. The organisers therefore had to make a call to put the vehicles on the trailers if it looked like they were not going to make the daily target. Ideally the teams should have all set off and kept going, spending the night wherever they ended up at sunset. But the logistics of this were too complicated with the resources the inaugural race had at hand. An advantage of this was that all the cars were in one place, so locals could come and have a good
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look. There was a surprisingly good turnout at Canal Walk in Cape Town, with fascinated onlookers asking the team members all kinds of questions – a good advertisement for alternative energy. Once the race is more established, and there are more resources, it will be run as a straightforward race, with each team heading off on their own with the leaders quite possibly finishing days ahead of their competitors. By the afternoon of Friday 4 October the race was almost in East London, a coastal city in the Eastern Cape. With glorious sunshine to push them on, the Japanese team was ahead of the organisers, who were flirting with speed limits to catch up to them. “Oh well,” Jordaan said, “it won’t be a total disaster if they get there before me, but it would be a bit embarrassing.” It was later discovered that the Japanese team followed some incorrect road signs and went via Grahamstown instead of Port Alfred. This was a far more complex climb, with worse road conditions, but they completed it like champions. Sunday 5 October saw the shortest stage – 128km from Port Shepstone to the Gateway shopping mall north of Durban. Not a single sunbeam broke through the clouds and there was heavy
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rain for most of the distance, but the Tokai University team drove the whole way on battery power, averaging a speed of about 45km an hour–much less than they can do with sunshine. It was good to have one car, at least, drive up to Gateway and through the parking lot with its trailer following empty. The Indians got their vehicles through customs on Sunday and, after a long night of scrutiny, the Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology car was passed for racing. The other Indian team Delhi College of Engineering was held back because the wiring was not up to standard, and might pose a danger in the case of an accident. So on Monday four cars headed off towards Ermelo and then, on Tuesday 7 October, continued to Pretoria. That was where the Japanese car – to nobody’s surprise – passed the finish line first and, more importantly, registered by far the longest mileage.
By Jennifer Stern Photo: Zeallous.co.za http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com
T ra n sp ort: E co Tran sp or t
LOW-EMISSION ZONE IN FRANKFURT AM MAIN S
ince last October all drivers who want to enter Frankfurt am Main, Germany, have to buy a special low-emission sticker for their cars. The city’s Low-Emission Zone comprises the area of the so called “Highwayring” – bordered by the highways of A5 in the west, A3 in the South and A661 in the north. The majority of the city’s urban area
thus now belongs to the zone, where the stickers are obligatory. This rule applies to the locals as well as the drivers from all over Germany or abroad and forces the drivers of un-eco vehicles (petrol-driven cars without catalyser and diesel-driven vehicles without filter) to leave their cars on the parking lots in the
outskirts and use the public transport to get to the city centre. If not the clean air, then the threatening fine should for sure be a good motivation for the drivers – the penalty for driving in the zone without the green, yellow or red sticker is €40 plus one “black” point into the directory of traffic offenders. The local authority checks the stickers during the regular traffic controls and does not want to hire any extra staff. In two years, clean air programme will reach its second phase when the vehicles with red stickers will not be allowed to enter the zone any more and the same will go for the yellow sticker owners in the third phase in 2012. From this year Ma rch , 2009
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Stuttgart to develop network for light electric vehicles
With oil prices climbing and the threats associated with global warming becoming more apparent, German cities are implementing ways to reduce their carbon emissions. Now the city of Stuttgart will rent ecologically-friendly electric bikes and scooters. After agreeing to a letter of intent with the British firm Ultra Motor, the city of Stuttgart intends to make light electric vehicles (LEVs) available to users around the city, who will then be able to recharge them at power stations hooked into the city’s electricity grid. Stuttgart hopes to have around 1,200 such vehicles ready for rent and covered charging stations located every 150-200 meters around the city this spring. The LEVs can travel up to 60 km before needing a charge–which takes about 15 minutes–and have been especially engineered to travel up steep hills. If all goes as planned, the city hopes to have 12,000 LEVs on the streets in the years to come. The vehicles are already on the streets in parts of India and the US. U lt r a m otor.c om
on only vehicles with green stickers will be allowed in the city. Although the strategy is often criticized by ADAC (General German Automobile Association) as disproportional and unnecessary, the city representatives believe it to be the only way to keep the city air breathable and stop the pollution. About 16.000 vehicles registered in Frankfurt do not meet the pollution criteria and thus don’t have a sticker. People commuting to the city for work or school will also be affected by the law. Estimations suppose that there may be about 10.000 owners of unfitting vehicles among them. The certificate of exemption is only given to the smallest workshops and businesses, that cannot afMa rch , 2009
ford to upgrade or innovate their vehicle fleet. There are still a few exceptions from the sticker rule, e.g. the firemen, police and ambulance, the vehicles of the physically disabled or the vintage cars. The Low-Emission Zones can already be found in 13 German cities – Munich, Augsburg, Oberhausen, Duisburg, Herne, Gelsenkirchen, Essen, Bottrop, Bochum, Mülheim/Ruhr, Recklinghausen und Wuppertal. A sticker bought in one of these cities is valid in any of them. The reason for these drastic measures is the EU Directive which states that the limit value of 50 Micrograms of fine dust in one cubic meter of air can only be exceeded on 35 days each year. The city council supposes the car access restriction to cause up to 11% reduction of the fine dust contents in the air. Frankfurt is the city with the worst air pollution in the German state Hessen. The fine dust limits have already been exceeded on 17 days in 2008 and the numbers from the previous years are not very comforting either – 33 days in 2007, 55 days in 2006 and 48 in 2005. http://www.tourism-review.com
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De st i nat ion Vast lands, deep lakes, chilly mornings – all of this is Siberia. Come and read about the oldest and deepest lake in the world, about the long long long TransSiberian Railway or even a beautiful city with temperatures sometimes going under -40°C.
a i r e b i S
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE ... SIBERIA Siberia comes from the Tatar term Sibir, meaning 'sleeping land.'
Unique Nature
S
iberia, a vast region comprising the Asian portion of Russia as well as northern Kazakhstan. Siberia is a treasure trove of natural resources, with huge deposits of oil, gas, and minerals and vast stands of timber. Historically, the region was notorious as a bleak place of exile for Russian criminals, and, when the area was part of the Union of Soviet
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Socialist Republics (USSR), for those considered opponents of the Communist regime. Siberia is bounded on the west by the Ural Mountains; on the north by the Arctic Ocean; on the east by the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Strait; and on the south by China, Mongolia, and the hills of north central Kazakhstan. The name
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The region of Siberia spans 13,488,500 sq km (5,207,900 sq mi) and is even larger than Canada, which is the second largest country in the world after Russia. The region is divided into three major geographic areas. In the west, between the Ural Mountains and the Yenisey River, is the West Siberian Plain, which contains large amounts of swampland. Between the Yenisey and Lena rivers lies the Central Siberian Plateau, with elevations ranging between 300 and 1200m (1000 and 4000 ft). And to the east is a complex system of mountain ranges and uplands extending from the Lena River to the Pacific coast. Siberia has several major mountain ranges. The mountain chain composed of the Yablonovyy and Stanovoy ranges extends from just north of the Mongolian border northeast to the Sea of Okhotsk. Also on the Mongolian border, south of the Central Siberian Plateau, are the Sayan Mountains. The highest mountains in Siberia are generally in the Altay range, south of the West Siberian Plain. Spanning portions of Russia’s borders with Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China, the Altay Mountains generally measure between 3000 and 4000m (10,000 and 13,000 ft) in height, reaching their highest elevation at Mount Belukha (4,506 m/ 14,783 ft). At Siberia’s northeastern extreme, a chain of volcanic peaks—some of which are still active— extends along the entire length of the Kamchatka Peninsula. One volcano, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, is the tallest peak in Siberia at 4,750m (15,584 ft).
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a and rare freshwater seals inhabit Lake Baikal. Vast oil and gas deposits constitute Siberia’s most valuable natural resources. The region also has huge reserves of mineral resources, most notably coal, gold, copper, and iron ore. Siberian mines have placed Russia, and before it the USSR, among the world's leading producers of gold.
Siberian Tourism
Siberia is traversed from north to south by three great rivers, whose tributaries intersect like branches of huge spreading trees. From west to east, these rivers are the Ob’, the Yenisey, and the Lena, all of which flow north and drain into the Arctic Ocean. The three rivers are frozen from six to nine months of each year. Of Siberia's major rivers, only the Amur flows east, following a sharply winding course to the Pacific Ocean. Southeast of the Central Siberian Plateau, near the Mongolian border, is Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake. Lake Baikal holds one-fifth of the earth's fresh surface water and contains a great diMa rch , 2009
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versity of plant and animal species, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Except in the south, Siberia experiences long, cold winters that last for seven to eight months in most parts of the region and even longer in the far northeast. Summers in Siberia are short and generally moderate. The average temperature tends to rise as one moves south. Siberia is rich in animal life. Among its more common mammals are foxes, otters, wolves, hare, moose, reindeer, polar and brown bears, sable, seals, and walruses. Leopards, tigers, and antelope inhabit the Amur River region. Sturgeon, salmon,
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Tourism in Siberia is a perspective and rapidly developing branch. Year by year more and more people choose this region to spend their vacations. The diversity of firms, that render tourist service lead to the improvement of the quality of this service. The Siberian tourism recently gains bigger popularity not only with the Russians, but also with the citizens of countries like England, Germany, Finland, and Czech Republic and so on. The active and extreme kinds of sport are the most attractive ones. The Siberian Rivers are a perfect place for hiking of different levels on all kind of rolling boats, ranging from kayaks and catamarans to rafts. Windsurfers and kitesurfers train and compete on Siberian lakes. Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, has been chosen by divers from all the countries for unique beauty and peculiarity. Mountain chains and ranges are of particular interest for tourists in any season. Those who are fond of rock climbing, mountaineering and speleological
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Fact s a b ou t Si b eria
2/3 of Russia’s Territory 7 different time zones Less than one inhabitant per square kilometer The word’s richest territory in natural resources
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
Population
Overall, the region is sparsely inhabited, with the population concentrated mainly along the TransSiberian Railroad in southern Siberia, and in the southwest, where the climate is relatively mild. Most major cities lie along or near the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Siberia’s harsh climate, poor roads, and limited food supplies kept the Russian population in the region small until 1861, when the Russian imperial government freed the country’s serfs (peasants legally bound to the land they worked) and significant migration began. When construction of the TransSiberian Railroad began in the early 1890s, hundreds of thousands of Russian settlers arrived in the region, and farming began to develop in Siberia on a commercial scale. Before this time, Russians living in the region had been mainly soldiers, government officials, runaway serfs, peasants, and religious dissidents.
Recent History
tourism come there. In winter mountain sides become the place of pilgrimage for snowboarders and downhill skiers. Moreover, cycling tourism becomes more and more widely spread. The competitions are being held; the participants usually come from other regions of the country.
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Developing of the region makes it possible to raise the level of tourist comfort and security. Wide coverage of cellular communications, comfortable hotels, number of restaurants and snack-bars, museums, exhibitions, theatres and art galleries make a visit to Siberia unforgettable for everybody and more people get convinced of it coming there again and again.
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Today Siberia plays an important role in the Russian economy, although it still faces some of the problems that impeded its development in earlier times. The region’s remoteness and harsh climate obstruct the exploitation of natural resources and make it a difficult environment for human existence. Perhaps the most serious problem facing Siberia today is its severe pollution, which is largely a result of the aggressive, careless ways in which the Soviet government pursued industrialization. Photo: Flickr, TR archive http://encarta.msn.com http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00723/tour.htm
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
TRANS-SIBERIAN: THE WORLD’S LONGEST TRAIN RIDE Siberian find that interaction with other passengers, both Russians and tourists, is what makes the trip an unforgettable experience. Today, with far fewer travel restrictions, it is possible to use the rail journey as the core of a more varied tour. Travelers can enjoy stopovers in many of the Russian cities and towns along the route, from the historic Volga port of Yaroslavl to Irkutsk and the scenic Lake Baikal region.
Routes and Western Extensions
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or those who travel for the pleasure of the journey, those who believe that getting there is as much fun as being there, Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway has long been an almost mythic experience. It is the longest continuous rail line on earth, each run clattering along in an epic journey of almost six thousand miles (or about ten thousand ki-
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lometers) over one third of the globe. For most of its history, the Trans-Siberian journey has been an experience of almost continuous movement, seven days or more of unabated train travel through the vast expanse of Russia. A great part of the pleasure of such a trip is simply sitting back and watching the land go by. However, most travelers on the Trans-
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Travel along the Trans-Siberian Railway is usually undertaken from west to east, though it is quite possible to go in the opposite direction. Moreover, a number of choices of route are available, as are extensions of the journey on either end. The usual route taken by travellers is the TransSiberian line, which runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, passing through Yaroslavl on the Volga, Yekaterinburg in the Urals, Irkutsk near Lake Baikal's southern extremity, and then Khabarovsk. From Vladivostok it is possible to continue by ferry to Niigata on the west coast of Japan. A second primary route is the Trans-Manchurian line, which coincides with the Trans-Siberian as far as Tarskaya, a few hundred miles east of Baikal. From Tarskaya the Trans-Manchurian heads southeast into China and makes its way down to Beijing. The third primary route is the Trans-Mongolian line, which coincides with the Trans-Siberian as far as the Buddhist enclave of Ulan Ude on Baikal's
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a links between European Russia and its Far Eastern provinces soon became an obvious problem. In 1891, Czar Alexander III drew up plans for the Trans-Siberian Railway and initiated its construction. Upon his death three years later, the work was continued by his son Nicholas. Despite the enormity of the project, a continuous route was completed in 1905, having been rushed to completion by the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War the year before. The present route of the line, including both the difficult stretch around Baikal and a northerly replacement for the dangerously situated Manchurian line, was opened in 1916.
Cities and Towns along the Way
The Trans-Siberian trains stop several times a day, for periods ranging from just a few moments to almost half an hour. Even the longest stops, however, allow for little more than a quick expedition from the station to make some necessary purchases. It is possible, however, to arrange a stopover in many of the major destinations along the route, and what follows is a brief listing of some of the most popular sites.
eastern shore. From Ulan-Ude the Trans- Mongolian heads south to Ulaan-Baatar before making its way southeast to Beijing. In 1984, a fourth route running further to the north was finally completed, after more than five decades of sporadic work. Known as the Baikal Amur Mainline, this recent extension departs from the TransSiberian line several hundred miles west of Lake Baikal and passes the lake at its northernmost extremity. It reaches the Pacific to the northeast of Ma rch , 2009
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Khabarovsk, at Imperatorskaya Gavan. While this route provides access to Baikal's stunning northern coast, it also passes through some pretty forbidding terrain.
History of the Railway
Russia's longstanding desire for a Pacific port was realized with the foundation of Vladivostok in 1860. By 1880, Vladivostok had grown into a major port city, and the lack of adequate transportation
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Yaroslavl One of Russia's oldest cities, Yaroslavl was founded by Yaroslav the Wise of Kievan Rus' in 1010. Over the next several centuries the city prospered as a trading port on the Volga and a center of textile manufacture, becoming by the 17th century the second largest city in Russia behind Moscow. Its wealthy merchant community became notable patrons of the arts, building hundreds of churches. Fortunately, the great majority of these remain intact today, making the city one of the most beautiful destinations along the railway. Yekaterinburg The Trans-Siberian's first major stop in Asian Russia is the major industrial city and transport hub
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a Krasnoyarsk One of the older towns in Siberia, Krasnoyarsk was founded in 1628 as a trading post along the Yenisei River. It grew rapidly when gold was discovered in the region, and eventually became a major river port and industrial center. Outside the city is the Stolby Reserve, an attractive preserve notable for the odd, columnar cliffs that rise from the river's edge inside its area. After one passes over the Yenesei, another of the Trans-Siberian's most significant border crossings takes place – one leaves the steppe and plunges into the taiga, the great forest that extends over most of Russia. The vast Siberian taiga is the largest remaining forest in the world.
of Yekaterinburg. The town was founded in 1721 by Catherine the Great as a fort and metallurgical factory, its position having been chosen for its strategic proximity to the great mining operations of the Urals and Siberia. Although there are few tourist sites here other than the 18th-century cathedral, the city is nonetheless of great historical interest. It was here, in a house that once stood on Liebknecht ulitsa, that Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed on the morning of July 17, 1918. Although the house no longer exists, its site is marked by a plain wooden cross. The Imperial family, like most tourists, was brought to Yekaterinburg on the Trans- Siberian. Yekaterinburg is also notable for being the hometown of Boris Yeltsin.
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Vladivostok Vladivostok was founded in 1860 as a military outpost, but its outstanding natural harbor soon brought it prosperity as a trading port. The city's nomination as the headquarters of the Russian Pacific fleet in the 1870s brought further growth, and by the twentieth century it had become a major center of international trade. During the Soviet era, Vladivostok's military role eclipsed its trading function, and the city was closed both to foreigners and to Soviet citizens lacking special entry permission. The city was opened once again to visitors in 1992. It is currently experiencing a rapid recovery of its historic role as a major Pacific commercial port and has also maintained its naval importance as the headquarters of the Russian Pacific Fleet. Today Vladivostok is a lively, attractive city, with a wealth of attractions and, as always, a strikingly impressive harbor. Photo: Flickr, TR archive http://www.geographia.com
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De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
DOG SLEDDING WAGS ITS TAIL IN SIBERIA
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A
small group of enthusiasts is trying to revive the tradition of dog sledding in the ever-green fo rests of Siberia, where sometimes husky sledding is the best way to get around. The Khanty-Mansi autonomous region in Western Siberia provides ideal conditions for biathlon – cross-country skiing and shooting – and is the centre of the sport in Russia. However, the freezing temperatures and plentiful supply of snow in the Siberian taiga make the area popular not only with skiers, but with other adventure-seekers and extreme tourists too. Minaskhat Aupov owns a kennel of Huskies. His team has already participated in national championships. “As a child I always loved Jack London books and in 2006 we had a guest from France. The guy came on a dog sled. He was on a trip from Baikal to Moscow and I was so impressed with his trip it inspired me to buy husky dogs and join the sport,” he said. While Siberian husky dogs can withstand temperatures of -60°C, the furless rider struggles in -20°C, requiring layer upon layer of clothing, which can restrict movement. The owner of the dogs says the friendly creatures argue over who gets to run the sled. However, each one gets to race as Aupov’s place is always full of tourists, both regulars and newcomers. Journalist with the London Times, Tony Halpin, came to the Khanty-Mansi region because he wanted to see what possibilities there were for people to do extreme tourism. “It seemed to me like an exciting project to see how husky dogs are bread and how they live out here and how they work,” he said. Aside from training, the dogs require a lot of care and food. Aupov can just about provide for the dogs. Although the region’s administration appreciates his enthusiasm to bring the tradition back to the region, it doesn’t provide any support. “We’re
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
the only ones in the region so far. To develop and popularize the sport we need financial support. We asked for help from local authorities but had no response so far,” he said. Another sport that became a tradition in KhantyMasysk is biathlon. Unlike dog sledding, it is widely supported by the government as this is where most of Russia’s Olympic champions began their careers. A biathlon centre was founded here in the 1980’s and made Khanty-Masysk Russia’s Biathlon capital. Levesev Sergei, a biathlon trainer says: “Every year there are either Olympic champions or world biathlon champions who started their ca-
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reers in our school. Children come here at the age of nine and leave for the big sport after about 10 years of training.” Perhaps winter sportsmen and women who train in extreme Siberian temperatures have an advantage over their fair-weather competitors. If dog sledding ever becomes an Olympic sport, there’s a chance the Khanty-Masny region will play an important role in the Russian national team coming out top dog. http://www.russiatoday.com
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De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
NOVOSIBIRSK: THE FROSTY METROPOLIS
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ussia's third-biggest city, after Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and also the largest metropolis in the whole Siberia region, Novosibirsk is the cultural, scientific and transportation hub and a great stop during your trans-Siberian trip. Novosibirsk is the place to come if you are looking for vibrant nightlife, a huge choice of restaurants and a seemingly endless selection of Irish pubs. Ma rch , 2009
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It was founded in 1893 as the future site of the Trans-Siberian Railway bridge crossing the great Siberian River Ob. To the south is the Ukok Plateau part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site entitled Golden Mountains of Altai. The importance of the city further increased early in the 20th century with the completion of the Turkestan-Siberia Railway, connecting Novosibirsk to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.
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Tou ri s m
Over the last years with the local authorities’ cooperation tourism industry in Siberian region has seen a considerable development and increase in investment attractiveness. More than 1000 travel companies represent tourism market in Siberia. The leader is Novosibirsk region with 260 companies operating in tourism business. Practically all of them offer outgoing tourism services; 20% are dealing with incoming tourism and approximately 80% focus on the domestic tourism market. The travel services in Siberia, especially outgoing tourism, are rapidly developing. The tourist flow from Novosibirsk is increasing by 30% annually. The growth of personal income in Siberian region and improvement of the quality of life are changing the attitudes of clients towards such types of tourism as spa-, business-, health-tourism, cruising and weekend breaks. However many parts of the tourist market, e.g. the hotel business, are not fully developed and present a huge potential for investors’ activity. Toursib.sibfair.ru
From 1893 until 1925, Novosibirsk was called Novonikolayevsk after Tsar Nicholas II. Industries include machine manufacturing and metallurgy. It is the home of one of Novosibirsk State University (situated in nearby Akademgorodok), a number of institutes and a scientific research center. To cope with the regular influx of visitors and the tourism infrastructure, Novosibirsk has a large number of travel agencies. These not only offer tourist information, but are used by visitors that need to book their accommodation, since many hotels in Novosibirsk will not accept tourists unless they have booked via a tour or travel agency.
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
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Use the fast Novosibirsk Metro network to travel around the city and reach the main tourist attractions. Families staying in the city will find that the Novosibirsk Zoo and its 11,000 animals and extensive collection of big cats is a particular highlight, and amongst the biggest zoos in the whole of Russia. On average, around 700,000 people visit the zoo every year. Another of the country's biggest offerings is the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, which resembles a magnificent palace in its appearance and is famed for its outstanding acoustics and regular shows. Among other popular landmarks belong the Cathedral of Ascension and the Alexandre Nevsky Cathedral. At the centre of the city, the prominent statue of Lenin and his famous flapping coat presides over Lenin Square (Ploshchad Lenina), standing close to a number of modern sculptures and directly opposite the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
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Di d you k n ow ?
• In winter the temperature drops as low as to -40°C or even lower in Novosibirsk. However, such frosts do not occur every year and they rarely last longer than two or three days. • Cars are driven on the right side of the road but the majority of cars have the steering wheels on the right. It is so, indeed, and it can be explained by a relative proximity of Japan and its car auctions, where the citizens of Novosibirsk buy used cars for good price. • Novosibirsk was the first Russian city to introduce compulsory primary education. It happened in 1912, when the city was still called Novonikolaevsk. • There is a city area in Novosibirsk designed in the shape of Olympic Games’ symbol. There was a plan to build an area in the form of five Olympic rings – not surprisingly, this idea came to the minds of authorities just before the Olympic Games of 1980s in Moscow. However, only one and a half ring were built while others remained only a dream. You can actually see these rings from the space. Novosibirskguide.com
The harsh Siberian winters see the Ob River freeze and the creation of an ice town, while the summer attractions include plenty of sunbathing opportunities along stretches of the riverbank and on some popular sandy beaches. Several museums stand out in Novosibirsk and provide a wealth of information on various topics, such as Siberian history and Russian art. The Lo-
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cal Studies Museum is filled with religious treasures and contains over 200,000 artifacts, while the State Art Museum is full of paintings and sculptures, both from Russia and Siberia, and around Europe. Currently it houses around 9,000 works of art. Southern Siberia covers a huge area and whilst there are many quality tourist attractions close to Novosibirsk, most will require an overnight stay. The city of Tomsk appeals to tourists with its famous 'wooden lace' architecture. Another large city that many Russian visitors choose to explore is Barnaul, where the Altai Fine Art Museum is always highly praised.
Photo: Flickr http://www.novosibirsk.world-guides.com http://www.travelforlife.ru
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
HUGE, OLD, BEAUTIFUL LAKE SURROUNDED BY WILDNESS lives here, in the amazingly clear water of Baikal. The main towns in the area are Severobaikalsk, Babushkin, Selenginsk, Baikalsk, Sludyanka. The territory of these five urban centres are excluded from the World Heritage property. Lake Baikal is much visited by local, national and international tourists. There are several camping and tourists bases on the Lake shore. The more inhabited southern and eastern parts are better developed in terms of facilities and infrastructure. The mountain ranges of the Eastern Sayans and Barguzin attract climbers. Irkutsk and Ulan Ude provide services and facilities for tourists and visitors. Baikal holds twenty percent of the earth's fresh water and harbors more endemic species of plants and animals than any other lake in the world. Fed by 336 rivers and streams including the Angara,
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ake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the world recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1996). Situated in the southern steppes of Siberia, the lake is surrounded by mountain chains that form sheer walls thousands of feet high.
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Indigenous people call Lake Baikal the "Sacred Sea" in admiration of its majestic beauty and size. Blessed with ample biodiversity, the lake itself provides habitat for more than 1,500 plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. In fact, the world's only freshwater seal
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La k e Bai ka l
Baikal is located almost in the centre of Asia. Its length is 636 km, the greatest width between the Onguren peak and the Ust-Barguzin peak is 79,5 km; the length of the coastal line is nearly 2000 km. At 1,637 meters (5,370 ft), Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, and the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume. There are 22 islands in the lake, the area of the biggest of them – Ol`khon – is more than 700 sq. km. Baikaltravel.ru
De s ti nati on : Sib e r i a
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I n tere s ti n g Fact s
• Lake Baikal is a unique phenomenon of our planet. Its fauna contains almost all the main types of fresh water animals of the world. The number of the Baikal species of endemic organisms is even bigger than in such distant and exotic lands as New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar and others. • Lake Baikal is also the biggest reservoir and factory of the highest quality clean fresh water. The lake contains about 1/5 of the world fresh water stock and more than 4/5 of Russia’s stock. Every year about 60 cub. km of unique quality water is reproduced in Lake Baikal, and its meaning is growing continuously. The quality of the water is conditioned by the unique Baikal animal and plant world vital activity. • The natural peculiarities of Lake Baikal are unique. Here, in the centre of Siberia, there are more sunny days a year than at the famous Black Sea resorts. • The Baikal is one of the oldest lakes in the world. It is about 25 mln years old and there are no signs of its getting older. Lake Baikal has many features of an ocean: abyssal depths, a huge mass of water, inner waves, tides, strong storms, high waves, great values of magnetic anomalies etc. Baikal-center.ru
daily temperatures range from -25 C in January to 18 C in July. However, Lake Baikal itself creates a microclimate within a 25km radius of its shores, distinct from the terrestrial part of the basin. Winter temperatures are less severe at -21 C, and summer temperatures are cooler (15 C). The surface of the Lake freezes during winter, with ice present until mid-June. The wind regime is comparable to those
Barguzin, Selenga, Turka and Snezhnaya, the lake holds fifty species of fish including bullhead, sturgeon and omul. The lake's surrounding wild mountains and rivers make the Lake Baikal region an ideal area for engaging in an array of outdoor pursuits including hiking, climbing, whitewater sports, skiing and nature photography. It has continental climate with profound fluctuations of both annual and daily temperatures. Mean Ma rch , 2009
Regional Partner
found in coastal areas: in winter, winds blow from the relatively cold land to the lake, and in summer, from the lake to the relatively warm land. The lake, called "the Pearl of Siberia", drew investors from the tourist industry as energy revenues sparked an economic boom. Viktor Grigorov's Grand Baikal in Irkutsk is one of the investors, who planned to build three hotels creating 570 jobs. In 2007, the Russian government declared the Baikal region a special economic zone. The popular resort of Listvyanka is home to the seven-story Hotel Mayak. Rosatom plans to build a laboratory in Baikal, in conjunction with an international uranium plant and to invest $2.5bn in the region and create 2,000 jobs in the city of Angarsk. Photo: Flickr, TR archive
http://www.gobaikal.com
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Fairs & Exhibitions T ravel / T ourism
in
M A R C H
2 0 0 9
by
regions
Fair s & E x hi b ition s : March , 2008
Western Europe
Mahana - Lyon Location
Lyon / France
Start / End
06 March 2009 / 08 March 2009
Provider
Exposium
Contact
infos@exposium.fr
International Hotel Investment Forum Location
Berlin / Germany
Start / End
09 March 2009 / 11 March 2009
Provider
Questex Media Group and Bench Events
Contact
tpearson@questex.com
Scottish Tourism Industry Dinner
AquaThermal 2009 Location
Lisbon / Portugal
Start / End
01 March 2009 / 01 March 2009
Provider
VivaEventos - Grupo JobFair
Contact
info@acquathermal.com
The European Meetings and Events Conference 2009 Location
Torino / Italy
Start / End
01 March 2009 / 03 March 2009
Provider
Meeting Professionals International
Contact
feedback@mpiweb.org
Scottish Tourism Week
Location
Edinburgh / UK
Start / End
09 March 2009 / 09 March 2009
Provider
Scottish Tourism Forum
Contact
events@stforum.co.uk
ITB Berlin 2009 Location
Berlin / Germany
Start / End
11 March 2009 / 15 March 2009
Provider
Messe Berlin GmbH
Contact
itb@messe-berlin.de
Idees Week-End Toulon Location
Toulon / France
Start / End
14 March 2009 / 15 March 2009
Provider
BO2
Contact
infos@ideesweekend.fr
Le Monde a Paris
Location
Edinburgh / Scotland
Location
Paris / France
Start / End
02 March 2009 / 09 March 2009
Start / End
19 March 2009 / 22 March 2009
Provider
Scottish Tourism Forum
Provider
Exposium
event@stforum.co.uk
Contact
gerald.duport@lemondeaparis.fr
Contact
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
— 66 —
Fair s & E x hi b ition s : March , 2008 TUR Travel Fair 2009
The Cruise 2009
Location
Gothenburg / Sweden
Location
London / UK
Start / End
19 March 2009 / 22 March 2009
Start / End
21 March 2009 / 22 March 2009
Provider
Svenska Massen
Provider
Escape Events
Contact
tur@svenskamassan.se
Contact
info@escapeevents.co.uk
The Independent Adventure Travel and Sport Show
The Travel Marketing Awards
Location
London / UK
Location
London / UK
Start / End
20 March 2009 / 22 March 2009
Start / End
24 March 2009 / 24 March 2009
Provider
ATS Events Ltd
Provider
The Travel Marketing Awards
Contact
slava.blagoeva@eme-uk.com
Contact
info@thetravelmarketingawards.com
International Spa Show Britain & Ireland Marketplace - BIM 09 The leading travel exhibition for the Middle East and pan Arab region
Location
London / UK
Location
London / Ireland
Start / End
20 March 2009 / 22 March 2009
Start / End
25 March 2009 / 25 March 2009
Provider
Expomedia Events Ltd.
Provider
European Tour Operators Association
Contact
iordanka.blagoeva@expomediagroup.com
Contact
info@etoa.org
Register Today and Unlock Your Middle East Business Potential In the Know Find out who’s exhibiting plus more about their products and services with our email newsletters.
Content Driven Be the first to know what seminars, press conferences and launches are scheduled at the event.
Arabian Travel Market 2009 Plan Ahead Find exhibitors who meet your needs 5–8 May 2009 appointments. and start scheduling
Dubai International
Save Time Avoid the queues onsite, registering online means you get your badge via email. Conventionalmost andinstantly Exhibition Centre
Networking Plan ahead by registering early and ensure you know what networking opportunities are available on and off the show floor. Travel Savings Register early and receive savings on flights and hotel bookings.
Register now at: www.arabiantravelmarket.com/register09 Arabian Travel Market Customer Service Helpline: +44 (0)208 271 2158 Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of the Government of Dubai.
One Event, Unlimited Destinations www.arabiantravelmarket.com
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
— 67 —
Fair s & E x hi b ition s : March , 2008
CENTR AL Europe
ITM - Intourmarket Location
Moscow / Russia
Start / End
21 March 2009 / 24 March 2009
Provider
Euroexpo & Expotour
Contact
itm@euroexpo-vienna.com
UITT 2009 Location
Kiev / Ukraine
Start / End
25 March 2009 / 27 March 2009
Provider
ITE Group Plc
Contact
travel@ite-exhibitions.com
Hotelexpo Location
Moscow / Russia
Start / End
01 March 2009 / 01 March 2009
Provider
ITE
Contact
mel.vaux@ite-exhibitions.com
Moscow International MICE Forum Location
Moscow / Russia
Start / End
17 March 2009 / 17 March 2009
Provider
aiGroup, Russia
Contact
www.miceforum.ru/
MITT 2009 Location
Moscow / Russia
Start / End
18 March 2009 / 21 March 2009
Provider
ITE Group Plc
Contact
travel@ite-exhibitions.com
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
— 68 —
Fair s & E x hi b ition s : March , 2008
North America
Kansas City Travel, Adventure & Culinary Experience Location
Kansas City, MO / United States of America
Start / End
06 March 2009 / 08 March 2009
Provider
Kansas City Travel Show
Contact
shows@rocketstarshows.com
Day Spa Expo & Business Forum Location
Las Vegas, NE / United States of America
Start / End
15 March 2009 / 17 March 2009
Provider
Day Spa Association
Contact
LOskin@MktgSols.com
Maine Caravan Gift Show
TRIPS West Location
Vancouver / Canada
Start / End
01 March 2009 / 03 March 2009
Provider
D. M. G. World Media
Contact
smt@ca.dmgmediamondial.com
CRM and Loyalty Strategies for Travel Location
Atlanta / Canada
Start / End
04 March 2009 / 05 March 2009
Provider
EyeforTravel
Contact
patb@eyefortravel.com
Location
Portland, ME / United States of America
Start / End
22 March 2009 / 24 March 2009
Provider
Bass Shows
Contact
mb@souvenirsetc.com
Successful Meetings University - International Location
New York, NY / United States of America
Start / End
22 March 2009 / 24 March 2009
Provider
Successful Meetings/MeetingNews
Contact
smu@nielsen.com
TravelCom 2009 Location
Atlanta, GA / United States of America
Start / End
31 March 2009 / 02 April 2009
Provider
Travel Industry Association of America
Contact
travelcom@tia.org
Culinary Tourism BC Conference Location
Vancouver, BC / Canada
Start / End
05 March 2009 / 05 March 2009
Provider
Culinary Tourism BC
Contact
info@bcculinarytourism.com
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
— 69 —
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