Contact: Inez Freund
(845) 469-3133
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Adventure
Council to Unite Growing Adventure Travel Community
Milford,
CT, April 18, 2005 – The Adventure Council
(AC), an organization representing the global adventure
travel community which was launched in January
at the Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE) in Washington, DC, has established
a rate structure for companies and individuals who wish
to become members of the Adventure
Council.
As adventure travel continues to grow, so does the responsibility to maintain
the Earth’s cultural and natural heritage for future generations – the
philosophy upon which the Adventure Council was conceived and founded. The Adventure
Council, with a membership base that represents the world’s leading adventure
companies, focuses on marketing, networking, advocacy and research related to
adventure travel. Members are approved and sign a “Pledge of Responsible
Tourism” to uphold and promote the principles of environmental and social
responsibility in carrying out their business and are included in the “Leading
Adventure Companies of the World” directory, which will be widely
distributed to consumers, adventure travel agents, and media.
The levels of membership for organizations and individuals are as follows:
Charter Membership ($1,000
USD) available only during 2005 and is open to those who will sign the
Adventure Council “Pledge of Responsible Tourism.” Charter
members will have their name and logo prominently displayed on the Adventure
Council website and all Adventure Council printed materials. They will also be
given a full-page listing in the directory, listing in National Geographic ADVENTURE
magazine (1 million+ readership) and inclusion with all Adventure Council press
releases. Their name and logo will be prominently displayed at the Adventure
Council’s exhibit space at all ATE shows and will be recognized at the
Adventure Council annual meeting held in conjunction with the Adventure in Travel
Expo in Washington, DC. Other Charter Member benefits include participation in “members
only” networking events, priority speaking opportunities to showcase
member companies to travel consumers, agents and media, and free expert-led
educational
seminars and workshops in 2005 as part of the ATE shows. All members will
receive a free one-year subscription to National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine,
and an
invitation to the annual meeting. Adventure Travel Membership ($250
USD) is open to tour operators, lodges, hotels, resorts, national
tourism boards, and state tourism offices that
sign the Adventure
Council pledge. Includes listing in the Adventure Council directory,
invitation to “members only” networking events, priority speaking opportunities
at ATE shows, a one-year subscription to National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine, and an invitation to the Adventure Council annual meeting.
Members will also have the opportunity to place their brochures at the
Adventure Council booth at the ATE shows and may arrange one-on-one appointments
with
interested Adventure Council Certified Adventure Travel Specialists at
all ATE shows.
Agent Members ($150
USD) is open to agencies and independent travel agents who sign
the pledge. Travel agents will benefit from exclusive “trade only” privileges,
including opportunities to participate in a special Adventure Council -sponsored “Certified
Adventure Travel Specialist” designation through The Travel Institute,
members only networking sessions with inbound and outbound travel operators,
including “one on one” meeting opportunities for Adventure
Council travel agents and suppliers. Each Adventure Council agent member
who completes
the Certified Adventure Travel Specialist designation will be listed
in National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine.
Member agencies and agents also will be listed in the directory of
leading adventure companies of the world, participate in “members only” networking
events, and educational seminars and workshops at ATE shows, receive
a one-year subscription to National Geographic ADVENTURE, and an invitation
to the annual
meeting
Other member categories for Adventure Companies include ($150), Non-Governmental
Organizations and Non Profits ($100) and Adventure Travelers ($75).
The Adventure Council will work in partnership with the highly successful
ATE shows (located in Chicago, New York City, Washington, DC, Dallas,
Southern
California and San Francisco), to offer educational seminars and workshops
that will take
place throughout the year at ATE for those involved in the business
of adventure travel.
For agents seeking to specialize in adventure travel, the Adventure
Council will offer a U.S. Adventure Travel Agent Certification Program.
In addition,
the Adventure
Council will conduct adventure travel surveys and provide a meeting
place for companies to network, discuss relevant issues, and advocate
for the
sustainable
future of the industry.
The Adventure Council web site will feature a database of all members
and direct links to their websites, in addition to postings on important
news, trends,
and resources on adventure travel, special member promotions, and use
of the Adventure
Council logo on all member materials.
For more details on the Adventure Council, please visit their website
at www.adventurecouncil.com.
|
