Solimar International Newsletter • Passport to Sustainability

Friends of Solimar

Happy New Year! As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2011 and look forward to the challenges of 2012, we couldn't be more excited about the direction of sustainable tourism. Tourism spending is on the rise, both at home and abroad, and the numbers will only increase as tourism continues to be one of the world's fastest growing industries.

Most importantly, continued growth in tourism also means the continued growth of tourism as a contributor to economic growth and job creation. We've seen time and time again that tourism is a useful tool in development that can strengthen and empower local communities.

In this month's newsletter, you can learn about some of our accomplishments at Solimar over the past quarter. Read about the rise of Namibia on the international tourism stage, conservation and hospitality philanthropy in Uganda, patience and success in Mali, a Mapguide launch in Ethiopia, training courses in Bolivia and so much more.

As you make your travel plans for 2012, we hope you will consider the positive impact your holiday will have on the communities and countries you visit.

Happy exploring,
 
Chris Seek,
President/CEO



Pearls of Uganda are authentic cultural community attractions and experiences located throughout Uganda, the country ranked the number one place to visit in 2012 by Lonely Planet! These cultural and community encounters include drumming performances and lessons, village walks, medicinal plant demonstrations, and so much more.
With the Undiscovered Travel Collection's help, Pearls of Uganda has increased its overall social media "buzz." As a result, the Pearls of Uganda website has received a vast influx in traffic; in the month of November, the website received nearly 1,000 views (an increase of about 250 new views since September)!



For more sustainable, authentic travel experiences, visit Solimar International's
Undiscovered Travel Collection.
NAMIBIA
y   Introducing Namibia to the Adventure Tribe
Solimarians travel to the Adventure Travel World Summit in Chiapas, Mexico, to promote Namibia as a destination.
Read More >


Namibia featured on NBC's Today
NBC Today Show hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie kicked off the popular "Where in the World is Matt Lauer" series with a visit to Namibia. Read More >

UGANDA
W  
Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, a new tourism initiative spurs conservation of a threatened species. Read More >


Travel Philanthropy Program Launches in Uganda

Mweya Safari Lodge of Marasa Africa recently launched a new travel philanthropy program to support schools and conservation education.Read More >

MALI
V  
In Development, Patience is a Virtue
Patience is a virtue in every aspect of life, but especially so in development projects where many steps and a lot of time are needed to do good community work.
Read More >


Cultural Preservation in Dogon Country
Over the past year, Solimar International, with technical support from the US Forest Service, has been working to create interpretive signage material for villages and communities in Mali.
Read More >

ETHIOPIA
V  
National Geographic MapGuide for Ethiopia's Central and Southern Rift Valley Officially Launched
A new Geotourism Mapguide helps fill the information gap in a country that is ripe for increased tourism.
Read More >

CARIBBEAN
V  

Developing the North of Haiti as a Tourism Destination
Solimar travels back to Haiti to attend the kickoff workshop for the launch of the program Developing the North of Haiti as a Tourism Destination.
Read More >


Marine Conservation Campaigns in Bocas del Toro, Panama
A series of innovative sign campaigns aim to reduce the negative repercussions of tourism on Panama's coastline and waters.
Read More >

BOLIVIA
y   Overcoming Development Barriers in Bolivia
Matt Humke discusses how lessons learned in a Bolivian training course can apply to all developing destinations.
Read More >




Karen Megarbane
She joined Solimar as an intern for the Undiscovered Travel Collection in May 2011 after graduating from American University with a degree in Marketing and International Business. Prior to joining the Solimar team, Karen interned with the United Nations Development Program and P3 Solutions, a local DC-area business services firm. Growing up in Damascus, Syria, and attending an international school gave Karen a keen interest in different cultures, traditions and languages. As a result, traveling has always been an important aspect of her life; by the time she was seven, Karen had already visited close to twenty different countries! Karen now works as the Marketing Manager for the Undiscovered Travel Collection.


Solimar continues to support exciting new Geotourism Mapguide programs around the world.

Our most recent projects have taken a decidedly European turn, with two Mapguides newly underway in the Douro Valley of Portugal and the Western Balkans where six countries will be developing a historic collaborative destination brand.

In North America, Solimar is nearing the completion of three projects:
- Lakes to Locks Passage of New York and Quebec
- Eastern Newfoundland
- Eastern Tennessee River Valley

Geootourism Stewardship Councils in the Sierra Nevada range of California an Nevada as well as the Four Corners Region of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona are in the process of making unique printable companions to their online mapguides.

If you think your destination is a good candidate for this innovative marketing opportunity, please contact us.



Social Enterprise & International Development Webinar
(January 18)

Educational Travel Conference
Orlando, Florida (January 19-22)


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World Responsible Tourism Day Points to the Future of Tourism
Read More>

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Announces $1.5M Toward Workforce Development
Read More>


The World's Best Ethical Destinations for 2012 Announced
Read More>

Exciting tourism prospects for Uganda in 2012
Read More>
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