• By 2020, the UN World Travel Organization predicts that annual international tourist volume will reach 1.6 billion (UNWTO,2008).

• The Travel & Tourism industry is responsible for over 230 million jobs and over 10% of the gross domestic product worldwide, the globe’s largest. (WTTC, 2007).

• 80% of money for all-inclusive package tours goes to airlines, hotels, and other international companies. (UNEP, 2005).

• Of each $100 spent on a vacation tour by a tourist from a developed country, only around $5 stays in a developing country's economy (UNEP, 2008).

THE FACTS

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International Ecotourism Society Defines Ecotourism As

“Responsible travel to “Responsible travel to natural areas that natural areas that

conserves the conserves the environment and environment and

improves the well-being improves the well-being of local people.”of local people.”

CHANGING TRAVEL THROUGH CHANGING TRAVEL THROUGH FEARLESS INNOVATIONFEARLESS INNOVATION

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• Sustainable Tourism

• Community Projects

• Voluntourism

• Outreach/Marketing

Redefining Sustainability...

Community Projects

x + y = zx + y = z Reducing Consumption lowers Operational Costs = Positive Economics (and a Win for the Environment)

What’s Missing?The Social Aspect &

Cultural Heritage Preservation

Women’s Weaving Project

Assisted in the process by Rainforest Alliance

Agreement in place to assess all suppliers in Costa Rica against respected criteria for sustainability - Ecuador is Next!

Greening the Supply-Chain

Sustainable Tourism

Voluntourism

Voluntourism- Fastest growing segment of adventure travel- Extremely media-friendly- Commercially viable product line- Allows sustainability best practices to be seen in a profitable scenario - Engages travelers directly into the projects that many other travelers visit

The International Ecotourism SocietyPartnership and Conference

Largest Ecotourism Organization in the WorldFounded in 1990 Responsible for the Term ‘Ecotourism’950 Member companies and Professionals100,000 Member Travelers

Gives Planeterra and Gap Adventures a Platform to Credibly Discuss Voluntourism- Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference in Portland

September, 2010

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Marketing & Outreach

• Marketing and Promotion ➡ Storytelling in Promotional Materials

➡ Print ➡ Online

➡ PR - most media friendly subject• Internal - Staff Retention➡ Staff looking for these values in a company• External/Internal Crossover ➡ Social Media Bonanza

Marketing & Outreach

Planeterra - A Global VoiceVoluntourism - Sustainable Community Development through Travel

Altruism