Every have a problem delivering your interpretative message to people who don't speak the same language as your guides? GPS technology can expand the labor pool of your tourism business and make a trip more enjoyable for people who don’t speak the same language as the guide.Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises in partnership with AudioConexus Inc., has launched the world's first GPS audio tours in six languages on its three tour boats. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises delivers two hands-free audio tours available in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin; tourists use small wireless receivers and headsets to experience Kingston and the 1000 Islands, hearing fascinating stories about the region. To learn more visit, http://www.ktic.ca

Cash Minerals is proposing a project with 4 airstrips and spur roads that will have serious long term impacts on the tourism businesses that depend upon the Wind River for their rafting, paddling and other outdoor activities. Fortunately tourism operators have a united voice, The Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon, to express their concerns about the project to the Yukon Environmental Socioeconomic Assessment Board (YESEB). It’s important we tell policy makers that tourism is a legitimate land use and deserves consideration in land use planning. Tourism generates economic benefits for wilderness areas and it needs to be recognized as an important stakeholder. If you’d like to learn more about Cash Mineral proposal visit http://www.yesab.tzo.com/wfm/launch/YESAB , click on browse, search by proposal number 2007-0205. You will see a list of documents. Select: 002-1 Additional Proposal Information Project Proposal (Form 1)If you’d like to support the businesses of the Wilderness Tourism Association...

National Geographic recently rated the Faroe Islands the Number #1 Island Ecotourism destination. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler...11/islands.htmlFor those of you not familiar with the Faroe Islands, the islands are an autonomous region of Denmark located about halfway between Iceland and Denmark. There are 18 islands and less than 50,000 people in the whole country which is probably one of the reasons why they still have a very unique culture. The main industries are fishing (in decline), sheep herding (on an incline from what I could see of the sheep perched on the steep hillsides) and tourism (the reason I was there recently)I was invited to speak at the Faroes first ecotourism conference and I was impressed by the reaction of the Faroese to the award. Rather than sitting back and gathering accolades, the government and tourism professionals are talking about the implications of winning. They recognize the need for new legislation and planning to...

Setting up a website is the first step in attracting tourists. But are tourism businesses thinking about the new generation of internet promotion? Travelers are increasingly weary of conventional advertising and are turning to other travelers for their recommendations or travel ideas. YouTube and Flickr are two places people are finding this information.The Vancouver Aquarium discovered the power of Web 2.0 marketing when they learned that the most popular video on YouTube in the pet and animal category was a clip titled “Otters Holding Hands”. http://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/watch?v=epUk3T2KfnoIn addition to the 8 million views on YouTube the Aquarium put it onto the Air Canada in-flight package so people flying to Vancouver would see it. This creative use of Web 2.0 marketing has also spawned media interest – check out CBC news coverage athttp://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/watch?v=tWu5ggvRDSwAll in all, a great example of how Web 2.0 can fit into a marketing plan.Carol

I was recently at the Canadian TTRA conference and was encouraged to see the large number of research presentations that were linked to sustainability issues. A presentation that I think has real implications for people in the ecotourism industry was done by Michael Ennamorato of TNS Canadian Facts. They surveyed over 1000 online travelers in July 2007 to learn more about how travelers were reacting to issues such as climate change, poverty and child labor. The results were surprising. "When the issue such as global warming is linked to tourism people stop associating it with the bigger issue," Michael said. Basically people do not get the connection between tourism and bigger issues or how their travel choices can combat problems like global warming. As someone who believes in ecotourism I was dumbfounded to hear how few people "get it" when it comes to ethical travel. The bright note came when Michael...

There is a new online planning tool for wildlife enthusiasts and trip planners. Watchable Wildlife has launched a North American directory of wildlife watching locations at http://www.wildlifeviewingareas.com/ For travelers, you can use the interactive map to locate a site on your trip route and drill deeper to find supporting merchants in the area.For tourism businesses, the website provides opportunities to advertise to wildlife watchers or to make customers aware of wildlife watching opportunities in their area. Carol

At the North American Ecotourism Conference in Madison, Wisconsin participants were invited to take a tour of local tourism operators who are going green. Attendance was dismal, but the tour was great. There were some great examples showing how tourism operators can reduce their environmental impact. The International Crane Foundation (www.savingcranes.org) has set up solar energy to provide 50-75% of their hot water needs. It has a ‘Kil a Watt’ program to identify and unplug those insidious drains on energy bills like clock on a microwave or a ‘sleeping’ computer.Another stop on the tour was the Aldo Leopald Foundation’s Legacy Centre. This new building is aiming for the highest rating awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council and it looks like they may succeed. Their solar, geothermal and wood heat produce more energy than the building consumes, creating a “net zero” energy budget. To learn more visit www.aldoleopold.org.

Photography can be a great revenue generator for ecotourism organizations. To learn more about Doug Adams, a tourism operator who has successfully diversified his business using photography check out my fall newsletter at http://www.kalahari-online.com/aut07.pdf. The experience he has gained can benefit many other organizations. Carol

It took over a quarter of a century, but the Siksika community in southern Alberta has opened their world-class tourism attraction, the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. An interpretative centre designed by Rod Goodfellow rises out of the short grass prairie to greet visitors. People can listen to recorded video of Blackfoot elders sharing their stories and read the much discussed Indian Act. This unique exhibit gives non-aboriginals a chance to learn more about the contractual relationship shared between the First Nations people and the Canadian government. It can be an eye-opener!I met one of the Siksika representatives, Doug Bearhat many years ago when he took an ecotourism workshop I was teaching at the Banff Centre. He spoke with great eloquence of the band’s vision for a sustainable tourism attraction that would showcase their culture and history and create economic activity and jobs. It is wonderful to see the vision come to...

I received a tremendous honor recently when I was invited to join the distinguished Panel of Conservation Fellows of Kinabatangan region http://www.sukau.com/public/con_per.asp.The Panel was established by Sukau Rainforest Lodge to recognize contributions of people who have played a significant role in the conservation of the Kinabatangan region of Malaysian Borneo and includes having a room named after them.Telling customers that you are active in conservation activities is a good move for any Lodge and helps to distinguish an ecolodge from its competition. I find many tourism operators to be extremely humble people. Unfortunately this virtue is often overlooked by consumers who are busy comparing prices and looking at glossy travel photos. Show your customers how you help conservation efforts; they will be more inclined to bring you business.