ECOCLUB, Issue 93
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offers accommodations in a place integrated with nature.
Visitors to Pachijal can experience their choice of tranquillity: yoga,
artistic retreats or adventure, with expeditions of birding, tubing, hiking, or horseback riding led by experienced indigenous
guides. Packages start at $200 for 3 days/2 nights, rates include escorted tours, lodging, meals and transportation.
United States: North American Ecotourism Conference takes place
Nicaragua: Butterflies Festival at Domitila Wildlife Reserve
Domitila wildlife reserve, the first private protected area in Nicaragua, is pleased to announce its upcoming event "Butterflies
Festival at Nicaragua's Dry Tropical Forest" . The festival involves specialist forest hikes and lectures conducted by leading
Nicaraguan entomologists Jean Michael Maes Ph.D. (Entomology Museum Director, Leon, Nicaragua) and Eric Van Den
Berghe Ph.D. (Science and Biology Dean, Ave Maria College, San Marcos Nicaragua.) The programmes (7 days, 6 nights) start
on November 16, 2007 and end on January 13, 2008. There will be a maximum number of 14 guests on each weekly
programme. Domitila lies in the heart of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, one of the richest biological areas in Nicaragua,
and protects the last patch of dry tropical forest at the shores of Lake Nicaragua ( Lake Cocibolca) and one of the last remaining
in Central America.
Asia & Pacific
India: The Blue Yonder wins the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards 2007
The Blue Yonder was one of four winners at the "Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards 2007" in the categories
"Spreading the Wealth" and "Preservation" and received an Honourable mention in the "Tour Operators" category.
Laos: Lao Ecotourism Forum deemed a 'great success'
The Lao Ecotourism Forum, held July 26-29 in the capital of Laos, Vientiane, was evaluated as a great success by the national
tourism authorities, with over 80 seller booths, 70 handicraft and provincial tourism exhibits, 54 buyers, nearly 100 official
delegates and media coverage from around the world. In addition to the Mekong Ecotourism Mart and Mekong Ecotourism
Conference, the Lao Food Festival, 5km Mekong Fun Run and Biggest Baci Pha Kuan in the world display attracted a combined
total of more than 10,000 people.
The Chairman of the Lao National Tourism Administration Minister Somphong
Monkhonvilay expressed confidence that "the event has helped to raise the profile of ecotourism products and services in Lao
PDR and the GMS region." The forum may be repeated in 2008.
Copies of the presentations made at the Mekong Ecotourism
Conference can be downloaded at the forum website.
Europe
Greece: Chios Agrotourism Festival
"Eco-action", an ecotourism NGO, participated in the 3rd Agrotourism Festival of Chios at Chios Island, which was held with
great success on the first week of August 2007 in the municipal gardens of the island's capital. Attendance once again exceeded
expectations, with visitors passing the 20,000 mark, over 10% higher than in 2006. There were 59 exhibitors in total, including
the prefectures of Chios, Kastoria and Evia, many municipalities and NGOs. At the "Eco-action" stand many visitors, investors
and officials sought and obtained information regarding alternative forms of tourism and ecotourism, while the President &
CEO of "Eco-action" Mr. Konstantinos Makras also conducted a speech on the topic of "Ecotourism development".
UK: Fair Trade Mourns
Anita Roddick, a pioneer of eco products and fair trade, died at the young age of 64. From the humble & mischievous
beginnings of 'The Body Shop' right next to an undertaker - who complained - to the sale of its 2,000+ stores to still-testing-on-
animals L'Oreal, Dame Anita Perella Roddick, both outspoken and active in favour of environmental and social justice, and
consequently against the Iraq war - never failed to spark controversy and annoy the powerful. To the rest of us, she proved that
nothing is impossible if brains are combined with imagination and noble ideas. In recent years, she was also an enthusiastic
