by hamanasi on February 19, 2010
PRESS RELEASE February 15, 2010…
Lead by BTIA Hopkins President and Hamanasi Resort General Manager, Andrew Usher, BTIA Hopkins unveiled it’s agro-eco cultural tourism master plan on Friday, February 12, 2010. the plan was crafted with the assistance of the International Institute of Cooperation and Agriculture (IICA) Tourism and Agriculture Specialist, Ms. Ena Harvey, and included two months of consultations with the wider Hopkins village community.
The plan’s key areas and projects seek to be realistic and representational of community needs. IICA Country Representative, Dr. Gabriel Rodriquez Marques, remarked on his pride to be able to have played a vital role in the development of the plan and formulation of a forward movement for the industry in Hopkins.The plan focuses attention on critical issues of infrastructure, sanitation and environment, health services, security and fire service.
Andrew Usher, welcomed all invited guests and dignitaries, thanking them for their attendance, interest and partnership. He expressed the strong commitment that moving ahead will continue to employ the full participation of the entire Hopkins community. Village Council Chairman, Mr. Francis Lewis, remarked that the entire process was a welcomed one as it was a continuation of work with the partnership of the tourism community in Hopkins.
by hamanasi on December 9, 2009
World’s Top 10 Ethical Destinations Revealed
BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Are you the kind of traveler who wants to have a great time AND feel good about where your travel budget is going? Ethical Traveler’s new report, “The World’s Best Ethical Destinations,” identifies the 10 countries in the developing world that are best protecting their natural environments, promoting responsible travel, and building a tourism industry which provides real benefits to local communities.
“There’s no doubt that worldwide interest in mindful, responsible travel is growing – not only among travelers, but within the countries that host us,” says Jeff Greenwald, executive director of Ethical Traveler and co-author of the report. “Now is the perfect time for savvy travelers and well-intentioned governments to evolve together, each encouraging the other. This is especially true in the developing world, where travel and tourism can be developed as lucrative, low-impact alternatives to forestry, mining, and the destruction of ocean habitats.”
In alphabetical order, the best ethical travel destinations for 2010 are:
Argentina
Belize
Chile
Ghana
Lithuania
Namibia
Poland
Seychelles
South Africa
Suriname
“In drafting our report, we use scores of information sources — including publicly available data — to rate each country’s genuine commitment to environmental protection, social welfare and human rights,” says Christy Hoover, co-author of the report. “Data sources include the United Nations Development Program, Human Rights Watch, Columbia University, Reporters Without Borders, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and many others. Private interviews with NGO leaders are part of the process, as well.”
