The Chilean cities closest to the epicenter, including Concepcion, Talcahuano and Temuco as well as a number of small towns along the country’s central coast were most affected by the quake.

Reports are continuing to virally spread across the web on the affected areas – including top Chilean tourism destinations. The good thing: Chile’s preparedness, including its strict anti-seismic building codes and rapid emergency response from the government as well as the help from a number of organizations can be credited for managing the situation and help minimize the damage. The country’s tourism infrastructure has, overall, fared well, reporting little damage.

“Our thoughts and sentiments go out to the families who have lost loved ones,” said Pablo Moll, executive director of Turismo Chile. “Chileans are a resilient people and we are hard at work to get the country back on its feet quickly. We look forward to continuing to welcome travelers and are making every effort to making them feel safe and secure.”

Destination sound off

While the northern and southern-most points of the vertically-positioned country as well as popular locale Easter Island have not reported any effects or damages, the country’s central region – including Santiago – was not as fortunate.

Santiago’s airport suffered structural damage to the passenger terminal, however no damage was reported to the runways and the airport is expected to reopen later this week.

Electricity and phone lines have since been restored throughout the city, while its public transportation including its metro is fully operational. Valparaiso and Viña del Mar have also reported damage. The annual Viña del Mar International Music festival which was underway has been suspended.

Most affected was the northern part of the Lakes and Volcanoes region, around the city of Concepcion and the Bio Bio River.

While authorities are still working on assessing the full extent of the damage, essential services like water, electricity and telecommunications still being restored. The southern part of the Lakes and Volcanoes region was not affected by the quake. Operations in popular tourist towns including Pucon, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt are normal.

Tour operators and media requiring looking for more information can learn more at www.embassyofchile.org.

Both supporting organizations possess a long history of environmental stewardship in Mexico as well as certification of sustainable agriculture.

“Our mission at PRONATURA has been the conservation of flora, fauna and priority ecosystems, while promoting society’s development in harmony with nature,” said PRONATURA Executive Director Ms. Rosa Vidal. “Our organization has been a pioneer for more than 25 years, linking environmental projects to local capacity building, environmental policy development, a focus on gender issues and innovation in financial services.

“Within the last decade, PRONATURA has been part of the remarkable efforts in Mexico to achieve social, environmental and economic sustainability,” she continued. “From this work a number of independent organizations, companies and networks have been born. PRONATURA has been at the heart of these initiatives which support new partners and alliances working for a better world.

“Today we are proud of supporting the incorporation of Green Globe Mexico, a sister company which certainly will be the landmark for green and sustainable tourism and related services in Mexico. We know that tourism businesses recognize the importance of better management of natural resources, energy and waste and with Green Globe Mexico there is a very good opportunity to offer qualified services in Spanish language to this important sector”, concluded Ms Vidal.

Agent for green

Green Globe is a worldwide sustainability certification based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Based in California, it operates in over 83 countries via the Green Globe Alliance and is currently the only certification company to be an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and is partly owned by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Green Globe Mexico will also assist Green Globe clients in Latin American with their inclusion in the inaugural Green Globe Book, a compendium of the best travel and tourism businesses, as well as provide business support for clients with their promotion at Luxury Travel Show Las Vegas, ITB Berlin, IMEX Frankfurt, Arabian Travel Market and other international travel shows.

“We are honored to be associated with the sustainability initiatives and programs in Mexico via our new license with Green Globe Mexico,” stated Green Globe Certification CEO, Mr. Guido Bauer. “Green Globe Mexico is a 100% owned and registered Mexican company, which means they will be able to meet the specific needs of their clients using Green Globe’s Spanish language system. Furthermore with their years of experience they will be able to ensure all Green Globe clients in Mexico are compliant with all Mexican as well as international regulations.”

Plans are already underway to utilize the experience and network from Green Globe Mexico’s office to deliver the Green Globe Spanish language program in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Guatemala and throughout Latin America.

For more information, visit www.greenglobe.com.

RBA will basically use the Green Globe "accreditation" to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable criteria, including participation in the Green Globe Certification program and the Green Globe Index.

"The next frontier in sustainable tourism is the creation of a recognized globally accredited certification that represents best practices, in the same way a Michelin star means culinary excellence, whether you are in Thailand, South Africa or New York," said Costas Christ, Senior Advisor to RBA. "This will be a major step forward for the global travel and tourism industry, and Green Globe is working hard to lead the way."

Founded in 2008, Responsible Business Alliance focuses mainly on social and environmental responsibility in Central America and the Caribbean. The RBA philosophy includes 5 fundamental pillars for business action: Community Benefits, Client Satisfaction, Human Resource Development, Environment Sustainability and Building Best Practice Alliances.

"To create a universal certification program which verifies tourism businesses’ sustainability credentials, we need partnerships in key locations across the world. RBA has strong credentials as CSR consultants in Central America and the Caribbean understand the many benefits businesses receive when they can publicize their achievements through Green Globe certification," according to Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe Certification.

"At the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit held in Brazil last week, the call for a universal ’sustainability label’ was again raised. Green Globe, with its 15 year history in worldwide sustainability certification, is diligently working to earn this recognition," said Bradley Cox, Chief Operating Officer of Green Globe International. "The global partnerships we have been building, most recently in Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, and the Asia Pacific, demonstrate Green Globe investment in global collaboration."

Green Globe International is an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, while the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is a 5% common stock owner of Green Globe International. For more information on the company and its programs, visit www.greenglobe.org .

Health organizations such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other member countries are continuing to gather information. In the meantime, these organizations suggest that individuals – travelers in particular – should visit their corresponding websites to find up-to-the-minute information  on individual policies and screening procedures related to the prevention of the swine flu, as well as learn some “best practices” on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

The CTO’s web site, www.onecaribbean.org, provides updated information from member countries and links to the PAHO www.paho.org site, as well as the World Health Organization www.who.int/en/ and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Travelers planning should also visit the web sites of individual destination nations and regions.

What you should do

Travelers should follow simple guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus, including:

• If you are experiencing respiratory illness, avoid travel and contact your health care provider
• Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or appear ill
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth

Travel operators respond

Hotels, tour destinations and other travel supplier entities are vigilantly monitoring and reacting to the swine flu crisis, and most are taking the appropriate steps to ensure the safety and health of travelers and employees, including working closely with local authorities to take all necessary precautions to minimize exposure to the virus.

One such entity is “The Villa Group”, a resort company with properties located in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit. While within close proximity to Mexico State where most outbreaks have occurred, no cases have actually been reported in any of The Villa Group’s locales.

The Villa Group is advising those with existing reservations who may be considering changes to their travel plans that they may do so without incurring any penalties from any of The Villa Group properties.

Although U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday that the threat of spreading swine flu infections was a concern but “not a cause for alarm”, this afternoon’s escalation by WHO to a “Level 5” pandemic is raising concern.

WHO: No need for travel restrictions

World Health Organization officials are still noting that travel restrictions would not help stem the spread of the swine influenza virus, which was possibly spreading in the form of human-to-human transmission. “Border controls don’t work, screenings don’t work,” said spokesman Gregory Hartl, speaking to reporters in Geneva. “Travel restrictions do not help.”

The incubation period of the virus, which could be for up to six days, as well as the widespread nature, would make spot checks at airports, for example, ineffective.

While WHO is still looking for the origins of the virus, the virus itself appears to have a human-to-human transmission pattern, but the majority of confirmed cases outside of Mexico were still “imported” meaning the people who contracted the disease did so while visiting the Latin American country.

Epidemiological studies showed three small waves of human-to-human transmission in Mexico and the WHO suspected similar transmissions in other areas, including possibly in New York.

The WHO has said containment was no longer an option and efforts should be focused on protection of people.

“We are really in period when countries should really take the opportunity to prepare themselves for the possibility of a pandemic,” said Fukuda, an assistant director general at WHO, adding that “an evolution into a pandemic cannot be considered inevitable.”

Travel insurance providers shrink back

The “imminent pandemic” is also causing some to make a mad-rush for travel insurance – but the point is futile. With the dangerous new flu strain sweeping across the world, Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth, America’s fastest growing comparison web site for travel insurance advises travelers it’s too late to buy travel insurance if you are concerned about swine flu.

“The bottom line is this: don’t rush today to buy travel insurance in hopes of being covered during the swine flu crisis” warned Harvey.

“Think about it like hurricane insurance,” Harvey explained. “If you don’t buy travel insurance before a storm receives its official name, you aren’t covered for losses relating to that storm.”

For most travel insurance companies, Friday, April 24, 2009, was the date the swine flu outbreak became what the industry calls a “foreseen” or “known event” because of widespread media attention.

That means policies bought before April 24, when the outbreak was considered “unforeseen,” may well be honored. After that date, forget it: the swine flu was already deemed a “known event,” so claims related directly or indirectly to outbreaks in Mexico or anywhere else will be denied.

Moreover, even if you think your policy covers “unforeseen circumstances,” there may be language in a General Exclusions section exempting claims “arising directly or indirectly from epidemics or pandemics.”

“Always check the fine print to see what protections apply to you,” Harvey said.

The only way to ensure cover for swine flu is by adding on the optional “Cancel for any Reason” benefit available on some policies. This allows the traveler to simply cancel the trip without needing a covered reason. “There are drawbacks,” Harvey warns, “you can only cancel up to 48 hours before you leave and you may not get 100% of your money back. Make sure you check the fine print before you buy”.

For your convenience, Squaremouth has posted travel insurance information relating to the swine flu outbreak on our home page at Squaremouth.com. The company is also compiling official swine flu position statements from insurers and posting the updates at www.squaremouth.com/travel-advice/swine-flu-outbreak.

For more information on thw swine flu crisis and to keep up with the latest briefings, visit the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Uniquely designed to reflect the local culture, character and geography of the surrounding area, Hotel Indigo San Jose Forum showcases Costa Rica’s tropical climate and natural settings by incorporating oversized and artistic photographic images throughout the hotel of tropical flowers, waterfalls, coffee beans and dynamic elements of the rain forest.

The use of water features at the main entrance and lobby along with contrasting colors and different textures from the floors to the ceiling are an understated homage to the country’s natural resources. From the locally-inspired murals to the seasonal renewal program where the images, music, scent, and menu items change four times a year, Hotel Indigo delivers a vibrant, engaging and genuine boutique experience that gives guests the confidence to step out and explore the local neighborhood.

Hotel Indigo San Jose Forum is located at the Del Centro Empresarial Forum Dos, the city’s latest and most prominent commercial office development, which provides business and leisure travelers easy access to shopping, coffee houses, and gourmet restaurants. In addition, the three-story boutique hotel is just 15 minutes from the Juan Santamaria Airport and adjacent to a major thoroughfare that connects to Escazu, the prominent residential and business district of the city.

The Hotel Indigo San Jose Forum Costa Rica is owned by Prime Holding, under a license agreement with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms and the second largest hotel operator in Latin America. IHG properties currently operating in Costa Rica include Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica, Crowne Plaza Corobici San Jose, Holiday Inn San Jose – Aurola and Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport.

‘We believe the Hotel Indigo model strikes a great balance by providing guests the refreshing design and intimate service synonymous with a boutique along with the consistency, reliability, and accessibility of a branded hotel, ‘ said Luis Fernandez, president, Prime Holding. ‘Hotel Indigo has been incredibly well-received in North America and we are confident that it will thrive in San Jose.’ ‘IHG is very well represented in Costa Rica and the opening of Hotel Indigo further strengthens our position as the country’s leading international hotel company,’ said Alvaro Diago, area president, Latin America, IHG. “We are very proud to be opening the first Hotel Indigo in the region with such a respected franchise partner, Prime Holding.’

Hotel Indigo San Jose Forum features inviting guestrooms with plush bedding, hard-surface flooring with area rugs, oversized artistic photo murals of local imagery, 37-inch flat screen TV, iPod/MP3 alarm clock radio, spa-inspired showers with complimentary Aveda bath products, and complimentary high-speed Internet access in guest rooms and public spaces.

Additionally, the hotel provides guests convenient access to meeting facilities and a 24-hour business center, a sauna and spa, an outdoor swimming pool and well-equipped fitness studio. Dining options include the Golden Bean Restaurant, which serves international and local dishes from beef broth with organic vegetables and natural chicken consommé to Costa Rican-style fish ceviche, and Phi Bar & Lounge, a causal gourmet bistro and full-service bar. Highlighting a national commodity, the hotel serves Café Britt homegrown Costa Rican coffee – a favorite of tourists and locals alike.

‘Through Interpret Indigo, the brand’s flexible design concept that works with adaptive reuse, mixed-use, new builds, and conversions, each hotel is distinctly different from neighborhood to neighborhood and country to country,’ said Janis Cannon, vice president, global brand management, Hotel Indigo. “From London Paddington to San Jose, Hotel Indigo is delivering a highly-differentiated and upscale hotel experience to guests and developers across the globe.’ Meeting the desires of today’s traveler, Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique brand that delivers a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local community. There are currently 26 Hotel Indigo properties open worldwide and more than 60 hotels under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation.

By the end of 2009, Hotel Indigo will almost double its footprint in the Americas opening properties in New York City, San Diego, St. Louis, and Toronto.

For more information on Hotel Indigo, visit www.hotelindigo.com.

The goal of the new website is to launch the nation’s first international branding campaign to position El Salvador as an emerging, ecological destination, where committed people and communities work together to share their best-kept secrets with visitors.

El Salvador Emerging From the Past
El Salvador is emerging, leaving its conflictual past behind and reinventing itself as an adventure and cultural destination. The Eco-Experiencias project is helping Salvadoran communities, workers cooperatives, NGOs, and private landowners to interpret themselves to create one of a kind, sustainable experiences that highlight unique cultural, natural and geographical qualities of the departments of Sonsonate and Ahuachapán.

The web portal is being developed in two phases. Phase 1, launched on November 13, 2008, presents an interpretive preview of western El Salvador’s four tourism destinations: the Route of the Flowers, the Western Pacific, Forests and Mangroves Region, and The Volcanoes. Each destination provides unique and largely untouched cultural and natural attractions to be explored.

Phase 2 will be launched during a special event in San Salvador on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, and will feature packages of activities called eco-experiences, all managed by local people, in each of the four regions.

Currently, the site is owned by an informal group of agencies and businesses. In August 2009, the program will be transferred to a Salvadoran host that will continue the program’s mission and expand the model nationwide to foster small business development and biodiversity conservation in all of the departments of the country.

For more information, visit www.elsalvadorexperience.com.

JD’s Watersports in Costa Rica has customized thousands of vacations to Costa Rica since 1992. JD’s specializes in Costa Rica vacations only, and is an expert on planning vacations to Costa Rica. JD’s also owns and operates several activities, including Sportfishing, Sunset Cruises, Jungle River Cruises and guided rainforest hikes in one of Costa Rica’s top National Parks.

With a $1.9-billion-a-year tourism industry, Costa Rica stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with over 1.9 million foreign visitors in 2007.

Costa Rica is one of the World’s most diverse destinations, with active volcanoes, 5 types of rainforests, World-class sportfishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, Canopy Tours, surfing, beaches, golf and many other diverse attractions. Because Costa Rica is a small but mountainous country, it takes more time to get from one point to another. Thus, creating a successful Costa Rica vacation involves more logistical and detailed planning.

JD’s offers personalized service to its customers by encouraging them to talk with its Costa Rica vacation specialists about the specifics of their Costa Rica vacation.

“Many travel websites do not provide the detailed information people need to plan a successful Costa Rica vacation,” says Pat Hoyman, President of JD’s. “Most companies discourage customers from calling to actually help them plan a vacation. JD’s believes it is faster, easier and better to actually discuss each person’s Costa Rica vacation because every vacation is different. This unique approach saves our customers valuable time and money.”
Ecotourism is extremely popular in Costa Rica, with many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism and the country is recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism.

In terms of the 2008 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica reached the 44th place in the world ranking, being the first among Latin American countries. Just considering the subindex measuring human, cultural, and natural resources, Costa Rica ranks in the 24th place at a worldwide level, and ranks 7th when considering only the natural resources pillar.

JD’s offers several sample packages to help travelers begin the process of planning their Costa Rica vacations, including the Wonders of Costa Rica, the Romance of Costa Rica, the Luxury of Costa Rica and Sportfishing in Costa Rica. These sample packages provide a good starting point. But JD’s encourages people to call their toll-free number to discuss their Costa Rica vacation with one of its Costa Rica vacation specialists.

To encourage people to experience Costa Rica’s many diverse attractions and their unique services, JD’s is offering a $50 per person discount on all customized vacations reserved before December 31, 2008. For additional information about this offer or to plan a Costa Rica vacation, please contact Pat Hoyman.

About JD’s Watersports
JD’s Watersports in Costa Rica specializes in customized Costa Rica vacations, including air, hotels, transportation and all activities. JD’s also owns and operates Sportfishing, Jungle River Cruises, Sunset Cruises and rainforest hiking tours in Costa Rica. JD’s has offices in Colorado and Costa Rica. For more information, visit http://www.jdwatersports.com/.

Global Crossroad, located in Dallas, TX, is one of the world’s fastest growing international volunteer vacation organizations. Global Crossroads has packages for individuals and groups who want to volunteer abroad, and packages are currently available for programs in Asia, Australia, Africa, and Latin America. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach, earn a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate), complete an internship, or work with wildlife.

Global Crossroad volunteers have given over 212,160 hours to developing nations by improving the lives of disadvantaged men, women, and children, and nearly 95% of Global Crossroad volunteers give the program high ratings. With an emphasis on cultural immersion, Global Crossroad provides village visits and cultural tours, as well as a unique language program

Now Global Crossroad is offering the opportunity to volunteer in Costa Rica for as little as $150. Volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica include helping disadvantaged children, teaching English, and participating in development and conservation efforts in one of the world’s most exotic vacation destinations.

"I drew many wonderful friends, and it is a must that I return next year. I encourage anyone considering volunteering in Costa Rica not to hesitate about it, you just wont be disappointed. Thanks to the people at Global Crossroad Partners and Concepcion school for this wonderful experience," says a previous volunteer in Costa Rica.

About Global Crossroad
Global Crossroad is an organization dedicated to placing volunteers abroad and other overseas destinations – one of the world’s fastest growing international volunteer vacation organizations. Its ever-expanding programs offer a variety of volunteer and travel programs in 34 different countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America: Volunteer Abroad, TEFL Abroad, Tours and Travels, Internship Abroad, Mini-Venture, Group Seasonal Escapes and Paid Teaching opportunities.
Since 2003, more than 6000 world-travelers/volunteers have participated in Global Crossroad’s Volunteer Abroad, Mini-Ventures, Adventure Travel, Seasonal Escapes, Teach Abroad, and other customized group programs. Our business has been growing substantially each year (an increase of nearly 300% since 2003) and is a true reflection of our respected and unique volunteer vacation and travel abroad programs. Our philosophy involves more than simply placing a volunteer in a grassroots project. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of our clients: individualized placements, travel and adventure, cross-cultural learning experiences, in-country travel arrangements, free-time exploration, and other services as per the special needs of our participants.

Global Crossroad offers numerous and exciting abroad experiences to international volunteers in 34 marvelous countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America . Our highly-affordable, unique, life-changing and stimulating programs engage volunteers in an adventure with a purpose. We invite you to join any of our amazing programs – Volunteer , Mini-Venture , Seasonal Escapes , Asia Combo , Wildlife Volunteers – embarking on the most meaningful volunteer abroad programs serving poor communities and children while simultaneously experiencing cross-cultural exchanges and breath-taking journeys to mystic and exotic lands.

For more information, visit http://www.globalcrossroad.com .

The theme chosen by the UN Environment Program (UNEP), which coordinates the day on June 5th on behalf of the UN system and the peoples of the world, will be ‘Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change’.

It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new agreement at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

The news that Mexico has been chosen to host World Environment Day (WED) 2009 was announced jointly by President Felipe Calderón and Achim Steiner, UNEP’s Executive Director at a press conference in Mexico City.

The decision in part reflects the growing practical and political role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets.

Mexico is also a leading partner in UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign. The country, with the support of its President and people, has spearheaded the pledging and planting of some 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign.

UNEP has now launched a new and more ambitious phase-the Seven Billion Tree Campaign. This aims to see more than one new tree planted for every person alive by the Copenhagen meeting as one empowering symbol of the global publics’ desire for action by their political leaders on the greatest challenge for this generation.

President Calderón said:”It is great news that today the UN, through Achim Steiner, has announced that Mexico will be the international seat for World Environment Day next 5 june here in our beloved country”.

He said he hoped WED would not only be a time of reflection on the great challenges facing humanity including climate change, but an event linked with “a lot of action and committment”.

“Undoubtedly this decision further underlines Mexico’s determination to manage natural resources and deal with the most demanding challenge of the 21st century-climate change,” said President Calderón.

Mr Steiner, who is also a UN Under-Secretary General, said: “I am delighted that the President and the people of Mexico will be the hosts of WED only some 180 days before governments meet in Copenhagen before the crucial UN climate convention meeting”.

“Mexico is at the cross-roads of the Green Economy politically, physically and practically. Firstly it still has many challenges, from high air pollution in cities and dependence on fossil fuels to land degradation and the need to fight poverty. But Mexico is also emerging as one among a group of developing economies who are bringing much needed leadership to the need for a new, comprehensive and decisive climate treaty,” he said.

Mr Steiner said that in addition Mexico was seizing the opportunities of the carbon markets and had, in just four short years, become second only to Brazil in terms of wind, solar, biogas and other Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the region.

“Thirdly Mexico’s ambitions in terms of combating climate change under its new Special programme-ambitions that include renewable energy to using forests and other nature-based assets as carbon sinks-will send a clear message to countries in the region and the world that Mexico means to be part of the solution,” he noted.

“Finally, Mexico is set to be one of the big economies of the 21st century along with nations like China and India. Thus its ability to encourage the greening of the economy of neighboring nations-both North and South of its borders-will be significant,” he noted.

Climate Change
Mexico, which accounts for around 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is demonstrating its commitment to climate change on several fronts.

Mexico was praised by Non Governmental Organizations at the recent climate convention talks in Accra, Ghana for being among a group of countries willing to build bridges between the North and the South.

UNEP is looking forward to the shortly-to-be published Special Programme on Climate Change covering 2008-2012.

It is likely to set ambitious goals for the Mexican economy from boosting the climate-friendliness of ‘hard’ infrastructure via energy efficiency and an increase in renewables to boosting the carbon management of Mexico’s ’soft’ infrastructure including its forests and soils.

About World Environment Day
World Environment Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP.

WED is commemorated each year on June 5th in a different city. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The day’s agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. World Environment Day is also a popular event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and cleaning-up campaigns.

On that particular day, heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. Pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management. It also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.

Last year the main global host was New Zealand and the theme was ‘Kick the C02 Habit-Towards a Low Carbon Economy’.

Enjoying the unique Gold Traveler Experience guarantees you the premier visit of a lifetime. Nothing is spared in services and opportunity to give you that one true adventure—the lore and legend stories passed from family member to family member in generations.

EcuadorTraveler
During the last few years TrueColors Travel developed exclusive special interest journeys and events in Ecuador such as Photography Workshops, Culinary Adventures, special Introduction tours to Mountaineering, Environmental conservation expeditions in the Rainforest or in the Andes and an extraordinary participation of an authentic Andean Rodeo for expert riders.

TrueColors Travel journeys and events are not for everybody, they are made for a very special client who seeks realizing a dream and experience the trip of the lifetime.

About the Company: True Colors Travel Cia, Ltda, is considered by many to be the premier tour group in Western South America. Based in Quito, Ecuador, True Colors operates several websites and maintains a base of operations with a full complement of guides, tour guides, and travel professionals. Call them directly in Quito at (593-2)2955-939, 2955-345, or visit their website at http://www.ecuadortraveler.com.

“David Lida shows us a Mexico City that’s not in the guidebooks, but, like a subversive code-breaker, he has pointed out the pathways to its delectably seamy soul. If Burroughs were alive and planning a return visit to Mexico today, he’d want to take this book with him.” —Jon Lee Anderson author of Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life and The Fall of Baghdad

David Lida moved to Mexico City fifteen years ago in search of a kind of culture, energy, and spontaneity that he thought had been lost in his native New York City. What he found was a thriving, miraculous urban center comprising centuries of living history, even as its rapid development was making it a prominent force on the world stage. Through the eyes of an American who has become an insider, First Stop in the New World is a street-level panorama of contemporary Mexico City—from the high arts to the sex industry; from the dense jungle of urban politics to the interactions of everyday commerce; from one end of this five-hundred-square-mile city to the other. Lida expertly captures the kaleidoscopic nature of life in a city defined by pleasure and danger, justice and lawlessness, ecstatic joy and appalling tragedy—in limbo between the developed and developing worlds.

While London and Paris have become more homogenous, less captivating, and less surprising since the days when Dickens and Balzac wrote about them, Mexico City points to our urban future—if Manhattan was, as posited by Rem Koolhaas, the urban “Rosetta Stone of the twentieth century,” Mexico City will play that same role in the twenty-first. And with his personal, literary-journalistic account, David Lida will serve as the ultimate chronicler of this exciting city at a vital moment in its history

You can purchase this book directly from Amazon by clicking its link in the “Recommended Reading” section of the sidebar of this page.

This move will be a hard blow for Ecuador’s oil profits, as it will cut revenues by an estimated $4.6 billion, making it one of the most significant measures proposed by a developing nation to tackle climate change, yet will allow Ecuador to further its efforts to become the first sustainable economy in Latin America.

Ecuador plans to pursure the development of alternative energy projects, as well as the development of minor and/or localized hydroelectric projects.

The proposal also allows Ecuador to support and promote the service economy via eco-tourism and community tourism (geo-tourism), while plans that will legislate legal consequences to parties responsible for social and environmental damages in the Ecuadorian Amazon will also be put into place.