ecoclub.com/blogs - news & views from ecoclub.com members

Eco-Agritourism in Crete in the New York Times

"Greek Revival" by Eleni Gage, March 30, 2008 issue of the New York Times T magazine.Ms. Gage visits several organic farmers, ecolodge and agrilodge owners and others working on related eco-agritourism programs in Crete (most of which CCS collaborates with).http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2008/03/30/...ageName=30crete

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Greens Report from Crete

Greetings,FYI, news from our fields in our *Greens* Report.http://www.cookingincrete.com/CCS-Newsletter-Lent-2008.htmlBest regards,Nikki

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National Geographic's Geotourism Challenge

FYI,Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries entered National Geographic and Ashoka’s Changemakers Geotourism Challenge: Join the global search for innovations in tourism that sustain, enhance and preserve local culture and place.http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/5643You'll find that project managers also face the challenge of defining why their programs are distinctive and mandatory in their communities, when there is nothing to compare their work to...as in...standard travel practices that generally take what they can from local communities rather than help to preserve them.All the best,Nikki

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Photos from Crete

Greetings,CCS has posted photos from Crete on flickr. The link is here and also on Planeta's Rural Tourism page.http://www.flickr.com/groups/cretesustainabletravel/Best regards,Nikki

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Winter Newsletter from Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries

Greetings,Our CCS Winter Newsletter is up! It includes news from our fields, upcoming seminars and seasonal recipes.The link: http://www.cookingincrete.com/CCS-Newslett...inter-2008.htmlBest regards,Nikki

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Recession Busting

There is no doubt that 2009 was a tough year for the travel industry. Consumers negotiated every purchase like a kid lobbying for an advance on their allowance. Operators have watched their competitors slash prices with the enthusiasm of pine bettles facing a fresh stand of forest. Companies have cut corporate budgets, culling travel businesses in their wake as luxury markets evaporate. So what will 2010 look like? I've shared a few predictions in my latest newsletter and we've asked you to weigh in.I'm pretty sure 2010 will continue to be tough, especially at airport security as staff take liberties usually reserved for dating couples. I think tourism businesses will find some of their best opportunities in regional driving-distance markets and by offering value packages.To help you weather the next year, I've made a New Year's resolution to offer small businesses any support I can. This will mean sharing even more examples of innovative strategies from other businesses facing the same shark-infested waters. Kalahari Management will also be offering FREE advertising space to three businesses in each of our summer and fall issues. For more details check out the newsletter at http://www.kalahari-online.com/spring2010.pdf.This is one way I can help during what we...

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Memories of Bhutan

I recently had the opportunity to visit Bhutan. This Himalayan country did not open their doors until 1974 and I feel fortunate to have been one of the less than 30,000 people who visit each year. And if you’re still wondering where the heck Bhutan is, I’ve got your answer athttp://www.youtube.com/user/Reinventure#p/a/u/2/tUuZWCeWCBM. Although I ended up with an unexpected souvenir (I broke my ankle hiking), I learned this country is very committed to sustainability. The constitution mandates that a large portion of the country remain forested, tourists must travel with a guide and prices are set to give tourism companies a reasonable living.While I’ve been resting my ankle, I’ve edited my hours of Bhutan video to a length that people might actually watch. For a few highlights check out http://www.youtube.com/user/Reinventure#p/a/u/0/4y_JTjaDQc0Or for a ring-side view of the amazing flight into the country see http://www.youtube.com/user/Reinventure#p/a/u/1/wGeyuZE2GoYIt doesn't compare to a real trip, but then again, it comes with no jet-lag!Thanks to Lotay and Fin of Bridge to Bhutan www.bridgetobhutan.bt for showing us the best of Bhutan and providing lots of unique experiences (not counting the twisted ankle!). If you’re interested in your own trip to Bhutan or the unique approach that the Bhutanese are taking...

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An Unusual Career Path

People find my story of how I went from accountant to tourism destination planner interesting, usually over a drink. The Society of Management Accountants has taken it to another level and tells my story in their latest issue (I even made the cover). To read more, check outhttp://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/CMA/december09/2009121501/Carol

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Have you Seen a LooLu? Enter our Worst Animal Watching

If you’ve ever been witness to a LooLu (Lookers Lucky to live), you know how badly humans can behave around wild animals. Is it because more and more of us live in big cities? Do we watch too much reality shows? Regardless, it is amazing the lengths people will go for that perfect shot. A few weeks ago, a young child was sent to hospital after his parents placed him on the back of an elk for a photograph. When the elk lifted his antlers, probably wondering what had landed on his back, he cracked the ribs of his uninvited passenger.I thought people had learned how to behave in the woods, but I may be wrong. As I mention in my latest newsletter story titled Little Bears and Little Sense at www.kalahari-online.com/summer09.pdf , there is no end to the antics people get up to when watching wildlife badly. Send us your stories of wildlife viewing gone wrong to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we’ll end you a complimentary copy of my book, Reinventure: How Travel Adventure Can Change Your Life if we use it in a future issue of EcoTourism Management.Carol

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Hummingbird wars

I find the environmental news overwhelming at times. It is balm to my soul to retreat to nature and witness one of its greatest spectacles.This footage was taken at my cabin in the Kootenay mountains. Early each May we see this kind of competition by the hummingbirds for food. I think it occurs as the birds have just finished a long migration, the weather is still cool with few bugs or flowers, and they are HUNGRY!Check it out athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwg92ocHCXMCarol

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