Latest Feedback - Conference / Incentive Operated by Viaventure

Dear Noe, James & Becky

Just a note to thank you for a wonderful trip.  Guatemala was magnificent - everything we remembered it to be and with the added bonus of watching our clients faces as they saw the sights and felt the atmosphere of this beautiful country

Everything was meticulously handled by Noe - he really had crossed every t and dotted every i and it made it such an effortless trip for us knowing that all rooms/dinners/tours were scrupulously engineered.  Each destination was great - the Casa Domingo a fabulous hotel to use - with it's added bonuses - a good start to the trip.  Hotel Atitlan was picturesque  and the weather was perfect - our first night swim/jacuzzi with cocktails overlooking the lake will always be remembered.  Tikal was as exciting as before and we were so lucky with the weather it really couldn't have been better - like a beautiful May/June day in the UK perfect for viewing the ruins and seeing the rainforest.

The transfer to Belize was effortless (for us not the poor bus driver moving things on and off the bus) and the restaurant we stopped off at - which we'd seen on the site visit - was really great - an easy/atmospheric place with the coolest dude facilitating.  We arrived at the hotel at around 15.00 which was really nice and gave people time to check-in and relax for the rest of the day

Your guides were great and Jane was truly fantastic.  She became the mother of the group - ensuring everyone was happy, the tours were to their liking, giving advice and helpful information and taking full responsibility for her role in the team. She really is a treasure (especially for UK guests who can relate to her so well. )In Belize she really helped me and this too, whatever our nervous misgivings, worked to plan - yes they work in a Caribbean way - but after a few cocktails neither I or the delegates were really over bothered

Noe thank you again for all your hard work - it paid off admirably - it was a truly perfect conference.  

Our valuation forms came out with 9 for the hotel, 9.1 for tours & 9.8 for general organisation - can't do much better!

thanks again

ANNE & MICHAEL

Conference Plus Ltd

Pathways House

Loom Lane

Radlett Herts

WD7 8NZ

TOPS - Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability

T O P S - Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability

Tour operators joining forces

The Rainforest Alliance recognizes the crucial role that tour operators play in supporting sustainable tourism development in the destinations where we work. Tour operators that share our belief that sustainable tourism can help conserve nature and generate sustainable livelihoods are welcome to become part of an international group of Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS).

Over the years we have seen individual tour operators invest in sustainable tourism actions to help conserve nature and support host communities. By uniting our efforts, we foresee better coordination and effectiveness in the actions undertaken to support destinations in countries where the Rainforest Alliance and participating operators work. Unity is strength!

TOPS represents a platform from which tour operators can work together, transforming the way natural and cultural resources are utilized to provide sustainable tourism services, transforming  business practices to embrace conservation and community development, raising awareness and changing  consumer behavior.

Sharing and networking with likeminded companies

In addition to supporting sustainability efforts in key destinations that are relevant for their businesses, by becoming part of this joint effort, tour operators can:

·         Strengthen relationships with local and international colleague operators.

·         Access sustainability tools and training materials for management, staff and suppliers.

·         Participate in virtual and in-person seminars on diverse themes that will be hosted throughout the year (topics to be defined based on operators´ interests and priorities).

·         Contribute to a collaborative project to support a social or environmental cause selected by participating operators every year.

·         Share experiences with fellow operators working in different countries.

·         Generate business opportunities with operators equally committed to sustainable tourism development.

·         Jointly support socio-cultural and environmental projects in key tourism destinations.

·         Access an inventory of sustainable tourism suppliers in preferred destinations (updated every six months).

·         Enjoy a 10% discount in the fees associated with verification assessments for inbound operators.

·         Take advantage of discounted participation fees for in conferences and tradeshows.

·         Participate in familiarization trips to various destinations to meet sustainable suppliers and experience local sustainability initiatives first hand.

·         Post information about your commitment to source from sustainable tourism suppliers and your sustainability projects on the Rainforest Alliance´s SustainableTrip.org.

·         Improve your image and credibility by publicly committing to working with the Rainforest Alliance in fostering sustainable tourism and communicating how your claims are translated into actions.

·         Access ongoing virtual communication mechanisms to connect with a global community of companies and share experiences in sustainable tourism.

·         Attend an annual gathering of participating tour operators.

Demonstrating commitment to sustainability

All participating tour operators, apart from formally registering, must demonstrate their commitment to sustainable tourism by:

·         Undergoing a verification assessment by the Rainforest Alliance and achieving a level of compliance with sustainability requirements equal or greater than 50% of the totality or requirements and committing to achieve at least 70% compliance in the following verification assessment (for inbound operators - see more information about verification services in http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/tourism/verification). 

·         Signing an agreement with Rainforest Alliance committing to sourcing from sustainable suppliers: at least 30% of all suppliers in key destinations in the first year must be verified or certified, 50% during the second year and increasing percentages in the subsequent years to be determined (for inbound and outbound operators – see more information about sourcing agreements in http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/tourism/sourcing).  

·         Informing the Rainforest Alliance on progress towards achieving sustainability goals.

·         Participating operators will support the work of TOPS by making a charitable contribution of US$ 550 to the Rainforest Alliance, of which US$50 will be directly allocated towards a collaborative project to support a social or environmental cause selected by participating operators.

Communicating our support

The Rainforest Alliance will communicate the commitment participating operators have to helping achieve our mission by:

·         Attending and disseminating information at international conferences and events.

·         Developing and updating a brochure to be used by participating operators in international conferences and events.

·         Participating in special activities organized by operators and partner associations (e.g. road shows with travel agents in Germany in coordination with ARGE, CATA, etc.)

·         Informing regional and international organizations about TOPS sustainability initiatives.

·         Featuring a section about TOPS and participating operators on the Rainforest Alliance web site.

·         Organizing and participating with tour operators in press events.

Organization

The Rainforest Alliance will be responsible for the coordination of TOPS’ activities. A part time staff person will provide such support. An advisory group comprised of a representative from each country for inbound operators as well as regional representatives of outbound tour operators will serve as liaisons and lead the work in their respective geographic areas. An annual meeting of participating operators will be organized to discuss progress reports and to provide training opportunities for the participants.

Belize Feedback - Tour Operator from South Africa

I trust this e-mail finds you well. My two clients have returned from their trip to Belize, and by all accounts, they had a fantastic trip! Below please see some of their comments:

“The trip was really an awesome experience & we thoroughly enjoyed it. The daily activities (caving to snorkelling) were amazing & yes arrangements went as planned. Everything from the accommodation facilities, the warm & friendly people running the facilities, to our tour guides (Jose our ViaVenture representative was just remarkable), was absolutely perfect and made our trip a truly remarkable & memorable honeymoon. 

We also had the opportunity to meet with the couple that runs The Lodge at Chaa Creek (Micky & Lucy Fleming), a very warm & friendly couple. The Chaa creek staff were outstanding & made sure we felt their warm welcome.

The Island town of San Pendro was a perfect destination for relaxation, with our room at the Victoria Hotel providing some breath taking views, lots of sunshine & white sand beaches at our door step.

I honestly don’t believe there are enough words to describe this life-time experience. I would therefore like to thank you, your team and everyone involved in making this a truly incredible experience for us.”

I would like to thank you and everyone involved for making this trip such a huge success for my client – because without you, it simply would not have been possible.

I sincerely hope that we will be able to do business again in the future.

Until then, do take care!

Kindest Regards,

LATA Foundation Support Local Guatemalan Charity through Viaventure

Natural Cosmetics in Guatemala
The LATA Foundation provided all the start up costs to fund a cottage industry near Antigua to produce a range of natural cosmetics in conjunction with As Green as it Gets. Equipment included a 20 ton oil press to process coconut oil, cocoa butter and avocado oil, a filtration system and vacuum distiller, scales, blenders and all the necessary equipment for producing and packaging a range of products, including hand cream and a line of scented oils.

Case Study: Maria Benita
One of our projects team, Claire Betts of Last Frontiers, travelled to Guatemala recently on a trip hosted by Viaventure. They kindly arranged for her to meet up with As Green as it Gets. This is an edited extract of Claire’s report, the full version can be found on the LATA Foundation website:

'Hello, my name is Maria Benita' says the small figure in halting English. Maria Benita is shy and she takes some coaxing but within moments of talking to her you can tell how driven and determined she is. Thanks to the LATA Foundation and with the guidance of Franklin Vorhoes of As Green as it Gets, she started making a lip balm three years ago. Her original product, Maria Benita’s Lip Balm, is made from beeswax, mint and macadamia oil. She says it was a struggle at first, that she didn't know what she was doing or how to market her product. But with a lot of hard work and guidance she has gone on to sell over 3,500 lip balms and has branched out from the original vanilla flavour into other flavours.

As Green as it Gets has a small coffee shop, the Whiskey Den, which sells her lip balms and the other soaps, shampoos and creams produced as a result of LATA Foundation support. Maria herself visits Spanish schools in Antigua a couple of times a month and in a good afternoon can sell about twenty balms to foreign students. She can sell around another twenty at a fair trade market once or twice a month.

Maria Benita is still in her teens. She is studying sustainable tourism and English, studies which she now pays for herself. Thanks to her, the eleven members of the family household now have their first proper shower and a lavatory with running water. Her prospects are good. Until recently she had never used a computer, now she has her own e-mail account. Maria is hoping to start exporting to the United States soon.

The LATA Foundation will continue to watch – and report - her progress with interest.






Maria Benita’s Lip Balm We are delighted to introduce you to Maria Benita. Maria Benita’s Lip Balm made from beeswax and macadamia oil. The production process is supporting the Gonzalez family in beekeeping, a number of farmers in the production of macadamia nuts and the Pinzon family in processing the nuts to extract macadamia oil. By supporting local farmers in producing castor beans, aloe vera, cardamom, cacao, pine kernel, avocados and coffee fruit, by providing capital equipment and training processors, we are helping produce new products for which there is already a market. Maria has sold 3500 units to date. This has enabled her to install a proper shower and lavatory with running water in the family home. She is hoping to start exporting to the United States soon

Great Conde Nast Article... trip designed and operated by Viaventure for Cazanove & Loyd (UK)

Multi Sport FAM - OCT 12-16 - Only for FIT, Active People :)

MULTI-SPORT FAM TO THE WESTERN GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS
October 2011

COST

• $200 per person if sharing a room
• $350 per person in single occupancy

SUMMARY ITINERARY

• 12^th Oct: Arrive into Guatemala City - transfer to colonial Antigua. Biking / hiking if time.
• 13^th Oct: Bike & hike to Cucurucho hill & transfer to Volcano Surrounded Lake Atitlan.  
• 14^th Oct: Kayak the famous crater lake of Lake Atitlan and visit Solola indigenous Maya Market
• 15^th Oct: Hike / Bike the Atlas Highlands and overnight in the deep highlands.
• 16^th Oct: Transfer overland to San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico - land border crossing.
• 
  
• Arrive on the 11^th and hike the active volcano of Pacaya with extra night in Antigua for $60 p.p

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

For guests that want to arrive a day early we can arrange for a trip to hike the active Volcano of Pacaya and spend an additional night in Antigua for an additional cost of $85 per person in double occupancy.

12th Oct: Arrive Guatemala & transfer to Antigua.

Guests should aim to arrive into Guatemala City as early as possible. They will be met by our Viaventure driver for the 1hour transfer to Antigua. Depending on your flight arrival time we can arrange optional activities like mountain biking or hiking in the Atnigua area of guests can just enjoy relaxing in the many cafes and bars, go shopping in the markets and boutiques or relax at the hotel.

• Overnight mid range hotel Antigua – no meals included
  

13th Oct: Mountain Bike to Lake Atitlan

This morning the trip proper begins and we start the day with a welcome breakfast and trip briefing from your guide / tour leader and also technical aspects such as bike fitting. We then begin the adventure with a land transfer into the picturesque altiplano region taking us to the start of today’s  mountain bike adventure. We start at almost 2300m elevation and our destination lies at 1500m elevation. There are a few short but challenging climbs before we enjoy a single track downhill to the shores of Lake Atitlan.

• Overnight mid range hotel at the Lake. Includes Breakfast & Lunch

Daily Details

• Times: Departure from Hotel 9:00am, Driving time: 2 hours :Approx arrival at hotel 5pm
• MTB  details: Distance : 42 kms,  elevation gain 562/ elevation drop 1240    surface : tarmac, dirt track and single track (technical). The single track is optional and can be substituted by a tarmac downhill

14th Oct: Atitlan, Kayak and Hike, Santiago town

We start off the day by kayaking on what many called the most beautiful lake in the world, often we encounter local fisherman on the water and community farmers on the hike. Guests can enjoy views over the entire lake area, its villages and volcanoes. With a bit of luck we may be able to see the mountain range of Pico San Marcos, which awaits us on tomorrow’s adventure. We then transfer by flete (local form of transportation in the back of a truck) to the Santiago Atitlan for a stroll around the market and main square area and a visit to the famous Maya shrine of the Maya God - San Simon or Maximon. We return by motor boat to hotel in time for sunset drinks.

• Overnight mid range hotel at the Lake. Includes Breakfast & Lunch. Dinner on own

Daily Details

• Times: Departure from Hotel 8.30am, Boat time first leg: 1hour. Approx back at hotel 5pm
• Kayaking: 1.5 to 2 hrs,
• Hiking: Distance:5.5kms, elevation gain 402, elevation drop 240 surface : dirt and stones on tracks and single trails
• Technical level : medium

15th Oct: Climb Pico san Marcos & Transfer to the highlands to the Xela area.

This morning we take a scenic drive to the trail head for our ascent to the Pico San Marcos, which is nearly 3000 meters above sea level. Views are superb and often we will be the only visitors there.
We continue along a rolling ridge, exploring a sacred Maya site with a small cave which is still used for ceremonies often by the kachiquel and quiche mayas.  In the afternoon we transfer on to the Quetzaltenango region and if times permits we treat ourselves to a bath in the thermal springs of Fuentes Georginas.

• Overnight Mid range hotel in Xela. Includes Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner on own in Xela

Daily Details

• Times, Departure from Hotel 7.30am Transfer time 4 hours total: Arrive at hotel 6pm
• Hiking details:  Distance :7.8kms,  elevation gain 678, elevation drop 648 surface : dirt and stones on tracks and single trails
• Technical level : medium to advanced(for sections only)

16th Oct:  Chicabal Volcano & Transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas

This morning we take an early hike up Chicabal Volcano to view the crater lake and a traditional Shaman ceremony. This crater lake is nestled in pacific could forest and there is typically cloud cover the area around mid morning, so our aim is to be there early. For the last section of the climb we will transfer in the back of a local truck as the road offers true challenges in parts. We will take a box breakfast at the lakeshore or at a lookout point

For guests continuing into Mexico for the ATTA summit we then have a long but interesting land transfer across the border into Mexico and on to San Cristobal de las Casas and to your hotel.

For guests returning to Antigua or Guatemala City the transfer will be back through the Guatemalan highlands for about 4 hours.

• Includes breakfast, lunch en route at own, dinner as well at place of choice ion SCLC

Daily Details

• Times, Departure from Hotel 6.00am Transfer time 9 hours total. Arrive at hotel 6- 7 pm
• Hiking details:  Distance : 4.1 kms,  elevation gain 522, elevation drop 522 surface : dirt and stones on tracks and single trails, wodden stair ways
• Technical level : medium to advanced(for sections only)

Notes
All details like distances, transfer times etc are approximate and may vary due conditions of participants, mayor force etc

Honduras Staff Training Trip - Sep 2011

Honduras Viaventure Staff Training Trip

Day 01

Sunday morning saw Clelia, Hugo, Steph and Alfredo off to a groggy-eyed start at 4am; by 3pm we were at the ferry terminal in La Ceiba, having only stopped for a quick breakfast, even quicker lunch, and to stamp our passports at the border.

At 4pm we left La Ceiba by boat, arriving into Utila by 5… mercifully, the waters were calm. Curly haired Lisa from Laguna Beach Resort met us on the dock – of course, our luggage was the very last to be unloaded!

A short land transfer and an even shorter boat ride and were at Laguna Beach Resort – at last! – where a kind bartender awaited with a selection of ice-cold beers… mmm J

After dinner we headed into town to explore some of the local nightlife although being a Sunday, everything was pretty quiet.

Day 02

After breakfast we met with Sheena, our snorkel master for the morning. After kitting us out with masks, snorkels and fins, we departed by boat, accompanied by two diving pax and their dive master.

We spent the next couple of hours snorkeling the reef with Sheena pointing out many colourful fish and different types of coral. After a snack of cooled water, biscuits and fresh watermelon we moved on to a second spot before heading back to the resort for lunch.

After an early lunch we said goodbye to Lisa and Felicia and dropped our luggage at the ferry terminal to go and check-out Mango Inn.

Our luck held and the waters remained calm, meaning we were back in La Ceiba by 3pm and off to visit the Quinta Real hotel, before moving on to the Lodge at Pico Bonito where the receptionist was waiting with cold towels and refreshments.

Finally we reached Omega Lodge, where a cheerful Sunie greeted us and gave us a tour of the property. Clelia and Steph called dibs on the room with the private bathroom (sorry boys!) before heading down to a superb dinner.

Day 03

After breakfast we signed our lives away to Omega by means of a waiver (as Sunie put it – we will do everything possible to minimize the risk, but if anything does happen, we are very sorry) J, and were then hooked up with life jackets, helmets and wet shoes to march down to the river.

Down at the river we were given a crash course on swimming in rivers and currents, etc. before heading upriver to do some rock jumping, after which we headed back down-river for the instructions on the rafting part of the activity. After practicing paddling and rescuing people who fall in we set off. It hadn’t rained the day before so we had an exciting but not too hard core trip with our raft guide Tom.

Once back at the lodge we had lunch and then set off towards Copan, stopping along the way to visit Casa del Arbol in San Pedro Sula.

Day 04

This morning Fito met us at the entrance to the Copan archaeology site for an interesting tour of the ruins and some background history on the Mayas.

After a 3hr tour we picked up some refreshments and headed on to the Finca Santa Isabel where Fito showed us the nature trails and gave us some details on how the tour works.

After lunch in a local café we braved the heat to complete the hotel visits, ending in Hacienda San Lucas with a wonderful glass of lemonade.

Back in town we went to ViaVia for dinner and the Wednesday Salsa Night.

Day 05

An early start to our last day – we met Howard from Casa de Café and Terra Maya before setting off for Finca El Cisne where we met a very amiable Carlos for a delicious home-grown meal – scrambled eggs, beans, cream, hard cheese, plátanos and limes with coffee and milk, all from the farm!

Carlos then took us for a walk through the orchard showing us Maracuyá, Pommelo (similar to grapefruit), various types of bananas and plátanos, Mazapán (the bread fruit), Carambola (star fruit), etc.

From here a 10min drive took us to the paddock for another crash course – this time on horseback riding before saddling up on our steeds Diana, Josephine, Maximo and Beatriz.

We set off, with three other participants on the tour, through coffee plantations and the area designated for drying cardamom, through fields, over bridges and across streams whilst tasting coffee, cardamom, star fruit and guayaba.

Just before midday we waved goodbye to Carlos and the rest of the group, and headed back to the car with Don Arnulfo, our other guide.

We headed back to Copan Ruinas, stopping for a quick visit at the Macaw Mountain Bird Park, to have lunch, before beginning the homeward journey mid afternoon, finally arriving as very weary travelers around 9pm.