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ATTA Adventure/Ecotourism Travel Association Network Grows to 16
(SEATTLE) – Adventure and ecotourism travel associations continue integrating into a more cohesive global adventure travel community, through the second round of the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Association Partnership Program.
Continuing the program’s example of adventure travel trade unity, five associations joined the ATTA program this year, increasing the total network to 15 associations on four continents. The Association Partnership Program’s “Class of 2008” includes:
- Argentina – Asociacion Argentina de Ecoturismo y Turismo Aventura (AAETAV)
- Africa – Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA)
- India – Indian Rafting Federation
- Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association (TTITOA)
- Thailand – Thai Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Association (TEATA)
- Yukon – Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon (WTAY)
Combined, the 16 associations represent thousands of tour operators, accommodations, and other travel companies, all of which share interests in the responsible and sustainable development of adventure travel. Collaborating within the ATTA’s Association Partnership Program, the ATTA and its partners are working to become better networked, enhance cooperative efforts, increase market share, and improve intelligence gathering and sharing on critical matters such as sustainable tourism, best practices, risk management and related matters essential to professionalizing the industry.
“We are consciously growing this critical adventure trade network slowly and methodically,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “This is both to ensure that only appropriate partners are included in this exclusive network – and to ensure that we continue to deliver great value to our associations, our members, and our industry.”
The program’s original 10 travel associations are:
- Bhutan – Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators
- Brazil – Associação Brasileira das Empresas de Turismo de Aventura (ABETA), Brazilian Adventure Travel Trade Association
- Canada –
- Paddling Ontario Alliance
- Aventure Ecotourisme Quebec
- Chile – Corporación de Promoción Turistica (CPT), Tourism Promotion Corporation of Chile
- Ecuador – Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association (ASEC)
- Mexico – Asociación Mexicana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo (AMTAVE), Mexican Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism
- Nepal – Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)
- New Zealand – Tourism Industry Association New Zealand
- Peru – La Asociación Peruana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo (APTAE), Peruvian Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism
Serving as the global ‘hub’ of the adventure travel community, the Adventure Travel Trade Association is an international networking, marketing and resource-focused membership association representing nearly 500 entities. ATTA’s members include tour operators, travel agents and accommodations; destination marketing organizations and tourism boards; and numerous industry suppliers and partners with a vested interest in the responsible development of the adventure travel industry.
“With APTA now tapped into ATTA’s global network, we are better able to serve both our Corporate and Individual members, and the greater adventure travel community.” said Beth Lincoln, Executive Director for APTA Discover Africa Shows. “We can share our unique concerns, challenges, and opportunities with a broader peer group for their input, feedback, and support.”
Recognizing association’s local expertise, membership growth opportunities, and the potential to practically network adventure travel experts across the globe, the ATTA developed the Association Partnership Program. Success of the program was based upon the concept of mutual gain for the associations and their memberships, as well as a better understanding and responsiveness to the expansion and sustainable growth needs of adventure travel destinations globally. Whereas local associations are able to bring valuable local perspectives and knowledge to the global scene, the ATTA, with its growing network, resources and marketing influence, is able to bring global expertise to support to associations and their members’ efforts to responsibly develop adventure travel locally.
For information on association partnership opportunities, contact ATTA Vice President of Business Development Chris Chesak at cchesak@adventuretravel.biz.