The New "Digital Elite"

Who are the new “Digital Elite,” and how are they different from less-connected travelers?  Following is an overview of insights from the new report:

• A BURGEONING MARKET: The “Digital Elite” are defined as travelers who either own or access the internet on both a smartphone and tablet. Smartphone usage among active travelers has nearly tripled in just two years – from 23 percent in 2011 to 62 percent in 2013. Tablet adoption has been even more rapid, with only seven percent of travelers using them to access the internet in 2011, up six-fold to 43 percent this year.
• FAMILY MATTERS: Half of the “Digital Elite” have children in their household (50 percent), compared with just 37 percent of less-connected travelers, consistent with their younger age, and revealing a discernible family focus. They are also much more likely to have traveled with their kids (51 compared to 38 percent) – and their kids have greater influence on practically all family activity decisions than in other households. For example, the “Digital Elite” are significantly more likely to agree that their children influence the actual selection of vacation destinations (78 vs. 70 percent).
• DIGITAL TRAVELERS HAVE MORE FUN: Perhaps surprisingly, while on vacation the “Digital Elite” are considerably more likely to try to relax while staying in touch with the office (40 vs. 30 percent). As such, they desire more time to relax and unwind (86 vs. 81 percent), and engage in “relaxing” activities more on vacation than they do at home, including drinking alcoholic beverages (53 vs. 43 percent), making love (41 vs. 35 percent), sleeping (38 to 32 percent) and reading (38 to 34 percent).
• HAVE DEVICES, WILL TRAVEL: During the past year, the “Digital Elite” took significantly more leisure trips than their counterparts – 4.1 compared to 3.7 – including weekend trips (2.1 vs. 1.8) and long trips (1.4 vs. 1.2). They were also much more likely to take a last-minute trip (31 vs. 22 percent) and a staycation (31 vs. 23 percent). These travelers also spent far more – an average of $4,988 compared to $3,812 than less-connected travelers – and intend to spend an average of $5,210 on leisure travel in the year ahead, compared to just $3,690 for their counterparts.
• INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS: “The Digital Elite” are significantly more inclined to travel internationally, with more than half (53 percent) having taken at least one leisure trip outside the continental U.S. during the past year, compared with only 38 percent of less-connected travelers. Among them, six in 10 took a long-haul trip where the flight time exceeded eight hours (61 percent), while only 55 percent of travelers who own and use fewer devices have done so. And they are more likely to have visited Western Europe (39 vs. 29 percent) and the Caribbean (34 vs. 29 percent).
• SOCIAL CONNECTIONS: The online social activities of the “Digital Elite” paint a far different picture than that of less-connected travelers. Eight in 10 are on Facebook (81 percent) compared to just 70 percent of those who own and use fewer digital devices, and nearly half are on LinkedIn (48 percent vs. 28 percent). More than three in 10 are active on Twitter (33 percent) compared to just 19 percent of their counterparts, and nearly one quarter (23 percent) is on YouTube (versus 19 percent) and Google+ (23 vs. 13 percent). Twice as many are on Pinterest (19 percent vs. 9 percent).
• KEY TRAITS: Beyond their use of these devices, their personalities differ, too – the “Digital Elite” are significantly more likely to say they are “happy” (82 percent) than travelers who own and use fewer digital devices (72 percent). They are also much more likely to describe themselves as “fun” (54 vs. 46 percent), “confident” (52 vs. 47 percent) and “sociable” (47 vs. 40 percent). More describe themselves as “healthy” (50 percent) and “fit” (32 percent) than less-connected travelers (44 and 25 percent, respectively), and many more plan to “become healthier” (62 vs. 56 percent) and “improve their appearance” (42 vs. 34 percent) in the coming year.
• SHOPPING HABITS: When it comes to finding the best prices for travel services, the “Digital Elite” more often turn to an online travel agency (OTA), with 53 percent doing so compared to 45 percent of less-connected travelers. The same goes for booking travel services, with significantly more of the “Digital Elite” believing that OTAs provide the most convenient way to arrange travel plans (49 percent) – significantly more than their travelers with fewer digital devices (43 percent).
• PUSHING FOR BETTER WEB EXPERIENCE: The “Digital Elite” are driving the demand for better web content from the travel industry, with nine in 10 having made travel reservations online last year – 10 percent more than less-connected travelers. They are highly likely to find more sophisticated content, often designed specifically for the web shopping experience, as desirable. For example, think interactive maps that explore the destination (65 vs. 60 percent); downloadable coupons for savings on air tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars and vacation packages (62 vs. 56 percent); user-generated reviews or commentary from past visitors (58 vs. 47 percent); websites optimized for mobile (57 vs. 31 percent) and virtual tours of the area (56 vs. 52 percent). They are also significantly more likely to want an easy-to-use booking feature (76 vs. 72 percent), photos of the area (76 vs. to 72 percent) and the ability to preview room locations (74 vs. 65 percent).

Top 7 Travel Trends

The Top 7 Travel Trends to Follow:

1. Catering to the Individual Traveler As travel companies continue to perfect and enhance their offerings, this leaves travelers more discerning than ever – expecting and wanting more.  No longer is it enough to merely travel to the latest, off-the-beaten path destinations; personalized travel is the new “luxury.”  Experiences have to go deeper and appeal to personal interests. Tailor-made excursions continue to become de rigueur.  Travel must also address certain desires and needs whether health allergies or food preferences.  Companies are even changing their entire brand proposition to better support this trend.   
           
2. Special Interest Travel Travel is deeply personal.  Travelers more than ever can connect to a given destination by exploring their passions and interests.

• Isramworld, one of America’s leading tour operators, enables travelers to experience the people and unique attributes of a destination.  The company unveiled new Jewish heritage and GLBT tours to Cuba – the #1 Emerging Destination from Virtuoso’s 2013 Luxe Report – to experience previously unexplored sides of the destination.
• andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve launched a new safari concept: it now offers a four-day yoga safari program in South Africa; guests are able to spiritually connect with the magnificent landscape through the open-air yoga.
• For stargazers, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay offers an astronomy discovery with Parag Mahajani, one of the most respected field experts in astronomy, for nightly discussions and solar flare sightings by day.

3. Health and Wellness TravelInterest in improving health and remaining physically active while on holiday has only continued to increase.

• In an industry first, Crystal Cruises broke the news that it is introducing hypoallergenic cabins for guests –Deluxe PURE Staterooms. Crystal is partnering with PURE Marine Solutions, sister company of leading allergy-friendly hospitality innovator PURE Global, for a comprehensive transformation utilizing the only hypoallergenic process patented and proven to deliver a safe and healthy environment.
• In addition to rolling out a series of new spa offerings with ESPA, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is partnering with the spa company and celebrity chef Joel Robuchon to introduce a new spa culinary experience at Odyssey, his 3rd restaurant within the hotel, designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
• COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali has created a new Traditional Oriental Medicine Program in which expert practitioners create a comprehensive and bespoke healing plan based on classical systems of health and longevity, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and meditation.

4. “Culture Brought to Life” ExperiencesArt, television, music and books have influenced travel for years, but never before like this. Travelers can now experience the place or time of their favorite artists or characters through exclusive access and unforgettable events.

• NoteWorthy Events, the United Kingdom’s leading personal travel specialists, announced its ability to gain private access to the sold-out Highclere Castle, Hampshire, England – home to the real ‘Downton Abbey’ – where guests can walk in the shadows of the Crawley family.  The company also can provide access ‘Behind the Getty Gates’ of Buckinghamshire, England, to view John Paul Getty II’s famed library with literary treasures such as a first edition of William Caxton’s printing of “The Canterbury Tales;” Anne Boleyn’s Psalter or Book of Psalms and the first folio of William Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories and Tragedies.”
• Ballyfin has opened its famed costume department to transport guests through time and allow them to live out their favorite Jane Austen novel against the backdrop of this fully restored manor home.
• GoldenEye Hotel and Resort in Jamaica, once the home of Ian Fleming and where he penned all 14 James Bond novels, allows guests to embrace the rich history of his storytelling by staying in his original villa, complete with his writing desk.

5. Living Like a Local … Only BetterNo one knows how to navigate the places of the world better than a local. City hotels are catering to guests’ adventurous sides and providing them with authentic and localized experiences.

• The highly anticipated Park Hyatt New York‘s savvy concierge team will direct guests to all of Manhattan’sbest kept secrets, such as the hottest boutiques for one-of-a-kind pieces.
• In London, Rocco Forte Brown’s Hotel is introducing the exclusive “Virtuoso Dream Teen Team” program, a concierge-designed experience exclusively for young adults. Rooms are outfitted with games and snacks, and each teen gets an Oyster Card to go off and explore the city as they please.
• Anantara Phuket Villas can arrange visits to the heart of the island’s historic district for guests to discover local markets, temples, and interact with descendants of the Koh Sireh people, Phuket’s first inhabitants.

6. Private ResidencesIn the spirit of living like a local, private residences and villas continue to increase in popularity, with top travelcompanies enhancing the design, amenities, and services of these offerings.

• The K Club announced the opening of Straffan House, a private residence on the grounds of the Club owned by founder Sir Michael Smurfit available for exclusive hire.  The new building took inspiration from the original “Staffran House,” now the hotel at the Club.
• In South Africa, Singita Castleton will reopen in October. Reminiscent of an African farmhouse, it comprises six individual cottages that are privately staffed with a guide, tracker, and chef.
• Villas of Distinction now offers exclusive tours and experiences that can be customized to complement guests’ stays in its private residences; travelers no longer have to choose between tours and a villa stay – they can have both.

7. Destinations Making News … and Why the Time to Go is NOW

• Brazil – home of the 2014 World Cup – is the destination on everyone’s lips according to Embratur, the country’s tourism board.  Not only was Rio de Janeiro voted #6 in the “Cities That Excite” list from Virtuoso’s “2013 Travel Dreams Survey,” but LATAM Airlines Group is announcing new routes to JFK and Miami by November.
• Travel to Turkey has increased by more than 18 percent since last year. Turkish Airlines, recently votedEurope’s Best Airline at the 2013 Skytrax Passengers Choice Awards for the third consecutive year, saw a 26 percent increase in global ticket sales from the same time period in 2012 – a total of more than 22.4 million passengers. Consumer interest and tourism is also driven by the May 2013 opening of the country’s newest luxury hotel, the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul.
  
  
  

Brand New Camp in Botswana!

 Brand New Little Tubu Camp in Botswana's Private Jao Concession

Wilderness Safaris’ Little Tubu Camp, situated on Hunda Island in Botswana’s private Jao Concession, opened last month and ever since has been delighting guests with its cosy atmosphere and exceptional wildlife sightings.

Adjacent to its sister camp Tubu Tree, Little Tubu offers an intimate and exclusive experience for a maximum of six guests in three traditional Meru-style tents, all raised into luxuriant foliage on wooden decks to maximise the spectacular views across the grassy floodplain.

Elevated dining and main area decks are shaded by a riverine tree canopy and look out over a seasonal floodplain that attracts a variety of game such as herds of lechwe, zebra, wildebeest and even giraffe and elephant. The camp is set on a series of winding, wooden platforms with the bar set into a waterberry tree, while the pool is located between the two camps in a private setting. The raised hide – separate to camp – is the perfect place for guests wanting to experience wild Africa at night, sleeping beneath the stars.

Interpretive day and night game drives are led by experienced guides and guests can expect to see spotted hyaena and the above-mentioned species on the floodplains. Kudu, impala, bushbuck and leopard are also seen in the forested areas and birdlife is abundant. Depending on water levels and time of year, boating, mokoro trips and seasonal catch-and-release fishing can also be enjoyed (usually May to late September).

 

Little Tubu is committed to Wilderness Safaris’ 4Cs philosophy (Commerce, Conservation, Community and Culture) and the camp is completely eco-friendly with no permanent structures. Jao Concession holder, David Kays, is also a member of the Tubu Joint Management Committee, which he was involved in launching together with the University of Botswana under the auspices of the Biokavango Project. The aim of this committee is to reduce conflict between the community and the Jao Concession – specifically with regard to curbing poaching and over-fishing – and they hope to assist the community with developing tourism ventures in their area.

 

Namibia Adventure Tourism

What is Adventure Tourism?

Namibia has long been considered an adventure travel hotspot but what is adventure travel? Adventure tourism is really any travel that combines physically demanding activities, cultural exchanges and authentic engagement with the natural environment. Adventure tourism is not only getting off the beaten path but is rather about meaningful interactions with locals, wildlife and nature.

The average tourist will be content to simply fly into Namibia, take some photos with their expensive camera and fly back out again having experienced almost none of the richness that Namibia offers. This in itself is not a terrible thing but it does lead to largely meaningless interactions between tourists and locals. Adventure tourism attempts to bridge the gap between the locals and the tourists and get them involved in each other’s lives.

Adventure tourism means stopping in the small towns that most drive through; hiking up the trails most are too tired to, and helping with human interest and conservation projects around the country. Adventure tourism is then the manifestation of many visitors’ desires to be more than just a tourist scratching at the surface of a country’s culture. Adventure tourism uplifts and builds local communities in meaningful and lasting ways. Through volunteer programs or conservation projects adventure tourists are helping to uplift and improve the countries they visit.

This is in stark contrast to traditional tourism models. As we all know most tourists seem intent on going into a country in massive crowds of tour groups and collecting knick-knacks and photographs so that these can be horded on mantelpieces and in display cabinets.

The Go Big Namibia Campaign

 

 The 20^th of August 2013 marks the beginning of Namibia Tourism Board’s Adventure campaign. The campaign aims to highlight the various and unique activities found all over Namibia. In order to achieve this four bloggers and a Namibian music celebrity EES have been invited to take part in the ultimate Namibian adventure holiday experience: The Go Big NAmibia roadtrip.

For eleven days these lucky travelers will journey through game parks, desert dunes, deserted coastlines and wildlife sanctuaries. Traversing the countryside in our specially designed Go Big Van these travel writers will be taken on the trip of a lifetime.

Traveling on Namibia's road network is one of the best ways to experience
the grandeur Namibia has to offer.

Fly Fishing Namibia

Fliegenfischen in Namibia

 

 

Denkt man an Namibia, denkt man an ein Wüstenland. Ist ja auch richtig! Namibia liegt zwischen zwei Wüsten, der Namib- und der Kalahariwüste. Kaum einer denkt an Feuchtgebiete oder gar an das Fliegenfischen in Namibia. Falsch gedacht!

Namibia hat fünf Grenzflüsse, die das ganze Jahr über Wasser führen und sogar sehr gut zu befischen sind, auch mit der Fliege.

 

 

Der weltbekannte Okavango, der Sambesi und weniger bekannt, der Kwando Fluss, sind am fischreichsten. Alle diese Flüsse sind im Nordosten Namibias, eine Region die hauptsächlich aus unberührter Natur besteht.

Das Fischen in Namibia ist aber mehr als nur den Fischen nachzustellen, es ist ein überwältigendes Naturerlebnis. Elefanten, Flusspferde und diverse Antilopen kommen zum trinken an die Flußufer. Eine traumhafte Kulisse für den Angler!

„Piscator non solum piscatur“ - Fischen ist mehr als nur einen Fisch zu fangen.

,Wann ist die Beste Jahrezeit zum Fischen in Namibia? Na ja, ich könnte jetzt den Klassiker anbringen: " Jeder Tag ist ein guter Tag zum Fischen!" aber die Beste Zeit ist von Mai bis Mitte Dezember. Ab Mai sinkt das Hochwasser ab und ab Mitte Dezember, mit  Beginn der Regensaison steigen die Pegel wieder.

 

Was für Fische können sonst noch gefangen werden?

• Nembwe (Serranochromis robustus)
• Rotbrust Tilapia (Tilapia rendalli)
• Dreiflecken Barsch (Oreochromis andersonii)
• Humpback (Serranochromis altus)
• Thinface (Serranochromis angusticeps)
• Afrikanischer Hecht (Hepsetus odoe)
• Afrikanischer Raubwels (Clarias gariepinus)

 
  

 

 

Remarkable Journey of The Rebel Desert Lion

'Terrace Male'

On August 16, the desert lion “XPL 68″, nicknamed the “Terrace male”, crossed the Kunene river to return home to Namibia. This was a significant and remarkable event for several reasons. 

Who better to describe the journey and it’s uniqueness than renowned lion researcher Dr Flip Stander, who stayed close on the heels of the Terrace male throughout his journey. Here is a post, which appeared on

on August 17, written by Dr Stander himself:

During the 1980s the tracks of a male lion was observed on several occasions at the mouth of the Kunene River by Rangers of the Skeleton Coast Park and Skeleton Coast Fly-In Safaris (re: Andre Schoeman). The tracks suggested that this lion was spending a lot of time in Angola, but he disappeared after 1990. There have not been any subsequent records of lion movements in Iona National Park as well as the south-western corner of Angola.

On 01 Aug 2013 the “Terrace Male” (Xpl-68) swam across the Kunene River and ventured into Angola. This was a significant event and marked the return of lions to the area after an absence of 23 years. In addition, it is also remarkable that a “Desert lion”, with no experience of perennial rivers or any body of water larger that the pools found at small springs in the desert, swam across 76 metres of fast-flowing & crocodile-infested water.

Xpl-68 stayed in Angola for 15 days and travelled 328.5 km (average 23.5 km/day). He explored the western section of Iona National Park and travelled as far north as Baia Dos Tigress.

At 01h00 on 16 Aug 2013 he crossed the Kunene River and returned to Namibia.

Since Xpl-68 is obviously not aware of the political boundary (Namibia/Angola), his remarkable journey actually started on 20 Jul 2013 when he left the Hoaruseb River to explore “uncharted” territory (see map below). During this period of 29 days he walked 780.4 km at an average of 26.9 km/day (max = 66.3 km).

More Namibia Specials

Heja Game Lodge - near Windhoek

Heja Game Lodge is situated east of Windhoek, +/-1900 meter above sea level, and is enclosed by the Auas Mountains in the south and the Khomas Hochland and Eros mountains to the north and west. Heja Game Lodge is the ideal starting point for your visit to Namibia as it is the closest game lodge to Windhoek, and is ideally situated in the middle between Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport. The lodge overlooks the Hoffnung dam which is the oldest man-made lake in Namibia.

SPECIAL FOR ALL OVERNIGHTS DONE BEFORE 31.10.2013
Single Room	N$ 385.00 BB
Double Room	N$ 668.00 BB

Etosha @ Emanya - East Etosha

  

Emanya@Etosha is a 5-star safari lodge situated a mere 20 minutes' drive from the renowned Etosha National Park – the ultimate African wilderness experience.

Twenty-seven major species of game roam this Namibian nature reserve, making Emanya@Etosha the ideal get-away for a safari holiday. Here, you are always surrounded by views of nature. Explore the warm soul of the African bush from the supreme comfort of your sumptuous accommodation, and participate in our Etosha Safari Drives early morning, bird-watching safaris and game drives at sunset or after dark.

Privately owned, Emanya@Etosha accommodates up to 40 people, and offers the ideal conference facilities as well as an idyllic wedding venue overlooking a waterhole. 

SPECIAL FOR ALL OVERNIGHTS DONE BEFORE 31.10.2013

Single Room                                          N$ 1210.00 BB

Double Room                                         N$ 2097.00 BB

  

'Entdecke Namibia'

We have just received this very positive news from NTB Frankfurt.
Their designed App, "Entdecke Namibia"  has been nominated for the Election of the Best Travel App of the Year, by a public vote activity of the Magazine DIE WELT and the Travel Industry Club.  Apart from the Namibia App, 27 other Apps have been nominated, including the App for the German/Austrian region of the "Salzkammergut", Baden Württenberg, Lufthansa and Expedia!
The Team of NTB Frankfurt Office has developed this App over the past year and has worked meticulously at the concept, content and functions of this app, and is proud of being amongst the top nominees.

The following link will take you to the voting site for the app:

http://www.welt.de/reise/article119002597/Waehlen-Sie-die-beste-Reise-App-des-Jahres.html

Your vote can be submitted via computer, PC-tablet, iPad or Smartphone. One vote per gadget is possible and voting can be done anonymously. Just vote for your favorite app, fill in required fields & send!  Your 3 clicks will mean one extra vote for Namibia,  and this can mean wonders, and yet another acclaim and achievement for NAMIBIA!
Please support this endeavour.
NTB Frankfurt appreciates your help, - and your contribution will help put Namibia on the map once again! 
Go for it.

Adventure Travel: The Future of Tourism

Shannon Stowell, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, talks about about opportunities in this fast-growing segment of the industry

Imagine snorkeling off the Norwegian coast, floating in the chilly Atlantic Ocean as a group of killer whales swims just a few feet below the surface waiting to capture their meal. Tourists can witness the orca’s unique feeding behavior only a few times a year, making for a truly rare experience.

Mingling with whales is just one of many tour options that fall under the category of adventure travel, a market that holds huge growth potential.
The adventure travel industry has experienced a major boom in recent years, with hundreds of new tours popping up and more operators and companies entering the lucrative business.
“The growth pattern in adventure travel is extremely high,” says Shannon Stowell, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). “It’s because people want more from their vacation, they want something transformative, they want it to be memorable.”
ATTA, a global organization formed to grow and promote the adventure travel market, has some 800 members, from tour operators to travel agents to media providers. One of its goals is to encourage more people to get out and explore the world.
Since the term adventure travel elicits a variety of images and ideas for each person, ATTA tries to help define what exactly it is and establish an understanding among customers and businesses. Stowell says a trip must have three elements to categorize it as adventure travel. First, it has to have some sort of physical activity, not necessarily extreme. In fact, hiking is probably the most common pursuit on adventure tours. Second, there has to be some kind of connection to nature, such as a wildlife tour or a trek through the forest or mountains. Third, it has to include some kind of cultural experience.
“It can be extreme or it can be quite mellow,” Stowell says. “A walking tour in Scotland can be an adventure tour for somebody, and for somebody else it could be hiking in Nepal. There is some variation in the definition in the traveler’s mind.”
As adventure travel has become more popular, the selection of tours has grown substantially, making it tough to know where to begin for travelers who have never done an adventure trip.
“The beauty of adventure travel is it’s so broad and varied that I think if a person has a fascination with a place or an activity, it is what they should pursue,” Stowell says.
A seasoned traveler, Stowell has journeyed to some off-the-map destinations. One of the most interesting, he notes, was a trip to Kurdistan in Northern Iraq, mostly because it is lightly traveled by people from the West. A destination such as this is certainly a possibility, though few novice travelers may want to start there.
Classic destinations include Machu Picchu in Peru, or any city in Brazil, a personal favorite of Stowell’s. In fact, South America is a current hotspot, according to a survey of some 400 ATTA members. Norway, one of the few places where travelers can ski to the ocean, is also popular, offering activities from dog sledding to horseback riding and hiking.
One trend is a boom in soft adventure travel, a mellower category that can include anything from walking and biking tours to sightseeing and boating. Custom itineraries are also popular, and tour operators are getting into the action by creating programs with activities that have rarely been done on certain trips or in specific locations.
Part of ATTA’s mission is to educate tour operators on the best practices of adventure travel and help them boost their reputations as quality companies. Stowell recommends listening to what customers want and experimenting with a few different itineraries to gauge interest. Many companies may have a current experience or trip that could be changed or given a new twist, he says.
Consumers should check companies’ qualifications to make sure they meet specific standards. For example, it is essential for the company to have experienced, well-trained guides with proper certifications, as high-quality leaders make for a more personalized experience. And ATTA is there to lend a hand to companies. The organization will be launching an educational program aimed at the trade to increase knowledge about adventure tourism. The program will include skills training, such as certification for rafting or mountain guiding. The idea is that ATTA will have an educational offering that increases the professionalism and opportunities for travel companies and destinations.
“We exist to try to grow the sustainable side of the adventure travel industry,” says Stowell. “We’re really serious about trying to help companies increase their adventure tourism businesses and to do it responsibly.”
A large part of that initiative is the Adventure Travel World Summit, which gathers hundreds of tourism industry professionals in one exciting location to learn and invest in adventure travel, which many consider to be the future of tourism. This year’s summit will be held in Namibia, marking the first time the event will take place in Africa.
So why Namibia?
“The core reason for Namibia is it is one of the shining stars in Africa now for wildlife conservation,” Stowell says. That has been achieved over the last 20 years through “community conservancy.” These are basically plots of land with a tourism-interest site composed of one or many lodges. The owners and local communities sign a legal agreement whereby the communities benefit from what the lodges earn from tourists. The lodges, in turn, succeed by having incredible wildlife for customers to see. It puts everybody in charge of protecting the wildlife.

“It’s an amazing model and it’s working,” Stowell says. “We wanted the tourism professionals to come and see how this works, and possibly apply a version of it wherever they can.” This fits with ATTA’s commitment to responsible and sustainable travel because “tourism should be a protective force, not a destructive force,” Stowell adds. And he is not alone in this mentality.
At the summit in 2012, Taleb Rifai, the secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, left the crowd with an insightful observation: “Adventure travel is what travel should be today and will be tomorrow.”
Adventure travel, with its strong focus on nature and culture, has the opportunity to be a preserver of human and natural capital, according to Stowell. He, along with Rifai, sees adventure travel as a way to explore the world more responsibly.
As for where adventure travel can go, it seems unlimited.
“I think adventure travel is an expression of the creative interest of humans,” Stowell says. As long as humans remain curious about the world, the adventure tourism industry will continue to thrive.
“The interesting thing about adventure tourism is that it’s about people exploring, so the directions it can go, I think, are incredibly diverse,” says Stowell. “We haven’t even thought about some of the things that will be offered as tours five years from now.”

Swakopmund Accommodation

Royal Benguela Guesthouse

The Royal Benguela Bed and Breakfast Guesthouse is a mere 5 minute walk from  the beach in a quiet residential neighborhood, only five kilometers outside the heart of the charming coastal town of Swakopmund.  

The exceptional quality of our bed and breakfast accommodation and unique Benguela breakfast, together with our warm personal service, ensure our guests a truly memorable stay.

We are equipped with a satellite television and high speed internet connection, as well as lockup garages, a private garden and an indoor barbeque. Each room is equipped with a safe, television and fridge as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. 

Our central location provides the perfect base from which to venture into the spectacular sand dunes of the Namib Desert or for fishing and dolphin viewing on the flourishing Atlantic Ocean. 

  

Other attractions in the nearby area include golf, quad biking, jet skiing, skydiving, paragliding, sailing, surfing, sea kayaking, kite surfing, bird-watching, shopping, hot air ballooning and scenic charter flights.

  

C'est Si Bon Hotel Special

C’est Si Bon, a French expression describing that which is beautiful, becomes the doorstep of Namibia’s North.
Being one of the most well-known hotels in Namibia, Cest Si Bon Hotel** caters for the holiday maker, the family, the businessman and the conference delegate alike.  We also offer perfect accommodation for school groups and sports teams.
It is the perfect stop-over en-route to Namibia’s lush water rich Caprivi and Etosha National park and introduces both the business traveler as well as tourists to this natural splendor of the region.
C’est Si Bon is situated in the town of Otjiwarongo (the cheetah capital of the world) and convenient for any traveler passing through. 

SPECIAL FOR ALL OVERNIGHTS DONE BEFORE 30.04.2014

 Single Room N$ 513.00 BB

Double Room N$ 603.00 BB

Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana - Special

Chobe Safari Lodge is situated in Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River and shares a border with Chobe National Park. Right on our doorstep is the meeting of four African countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Chobe Safari Lodge therefore offers an excellent getaway location to Chobe, Victoria Falls or Caprivi.

SPECIAL FOR ALL OVERNIGHTS DONE BEFORE 31.03.2014

Single Safari Room  N$ 1080.00 BO
  Double Safari Room  N$ 1089.00 BO  

Uri Adventures

5 Days Faces of the Namib

Discover this desert’s unique treasures…

A world of infinite horizons, dramatic vistas and fascinating flora and fauna…

Reported to be the oldest desert on earth, the Namib is approximately 80 million years old. Completely devoid of surface water, it is bisected by several dry riverbeds and is characterised by extensive, undulating dunes. The Sahara may be larger and Gobi more isolated, but the Namib is the very oldest, so on this trip, prepare for the best desert experience possible! Our aim with this trip is to cross the desert from east to west experiencing all the wonders this desert has to offer.

With the assistance of our knowledgeable and experienced guides you will gain an insight into the history and biology of the untamed land.Training and advice will be given en-route and our guides will be on hand to talk you through any obstacles you might encounter. 2 Way radios are issued to each vehicle at the beginning of the trip. Not only are our guides there to get you to your final destination in a safe, enjoyable manner, but to provide you with 3 excellent meals each day.

Chobe Marina Lodge - Kasane, Botswana

Uniquely located in the North-Eastern corner of Botswana where the four African nations of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia converge, Chobe Marina Lodge is surrounded by the natural beauty of Africa.
The Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Kasane Forest Reserve, the Caprivi Strip and the mighty Zambezi river, each offer their own attractions and with Victoria Falls but 70 kilometres away, Chobe Marina Lodge is a 'must visit' destination when in Southern Africa.

With the world-renowned Chobe National Park just 10-minutes from Chobe Marina , an encounter with Africa's awesome foursome (elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo) is definitely on the cards. A river boat trip to the park, will introduce you to a totally different game viewing experience.

Try your hand at fishing for the famed tiger fish, which inhabit the Chobe and Kasai River systems. Golfers too are catered for with a golf course in close proximity to the lodge.